The Best GoPro Mounts for Your Motorcycle Trip
Whether you’re on a cruise to work or a cross-country road trip, having an action camera, like a GoPro, to record your ride is a common desire among motorcyclists. Having the right motorcycle mounts for that action camera can make all the difference, and I’ve tried plenty of them over the past ten years. In this guide, I’ll be going over my favorite mounts that I use to create my YouTube videos and social media content on every road trip.
FAQ: “What Camera Do You Use to Record Your Motorcycle Rides?“ Let’s clear the air on a popular question I get before moving any further. I’m a GoPro gal! Since the Hero3+ was released, I’ve owned numerous GoPro action cameras, and have primarily used all of them to record my motorcycle trips. You can read more about all the camera gear I use to create motorcycle travel content, here.
If you use another action camera platform such as Insta360 or DJI, these mounts may still be compatible with your camera. Please do your research to verify.
GoPro Handlebar Mount
Key Features:
- Clamps to any 0.35 to 1.4in (9 to 35mm) diameter tube
- Hinged, Non-Slip Design
- Includes Small and Large Rubber Inserts
- The rotating base features 360° rotation with 16 secure positions
Check the Price on Amazon
Where I use it: I mostly utilize this on my handlebars or engine guards, but it can also be mounted to a mirror post with the included rubber inserts, or on a sissy bar.
Accessories I use with it:
Pros: Comes with two rubber inserts so that it can be utilized on different-sized tubes + built-in swivel to change camera direction on the fly. I can easily unclip the camera from the mount and hold it for a different point of view. Can be installed (or uninstalled) in under a minute in most cases.
Cons: It can vibrate a bit in certain applications, and is not compatible with non-circular tube shapes.
While my RAM Tough Claw (see below) tends to get the most usage lately, I’ve utilized the GoPro Handlebar Mount more than any other mount I’ve owned. This is the one mount I would choose to use on my motorcycle if I could only pick one.
Unlike the Tough Claw, I love that I can unclip my camera from it in a pinch if I want to shoot from a handheld angle, and then quickly clip it back in when needed.
RAM Mounts Tough Claw, Double Socket Arm, and GoPro Mount
Key Features:
- Clamps onto round, flat, or oddly shaped rails, bars, and surfaces
- Customizable double socket arm length
- Rugged & High Quality Marine-Grade Aluminum & Composite
Parts you’ll need to order for this mount (they all need to be B-Size Mounts):
- Tough Claw – Size Small
- RAM short, medium, and/or long double socket arms depending on your application.
- Camera Adapter
Where I use it: Primarily on my handlebars, but also works great on engine guards and sissy bars.
Why I love it: It’s customizable & works with all of my RAM mounting accessories, plus works well on some oval or rectangular surfaces. Easy to remove and install on different areas of the bike.
Cons: Unlike the GoPro Handlebar Mount, I can’t take this one off while riding. It’s too much work to get it clamped on and off my bars.
RAM makes some of the most high-quality mounts on the market for a variety of uses. When I decided to get into adventure riding, I knew I’d need to find a new clamp-style mount to fit on the handlebars of the Harley-Davidson Pan America. The tough claw (size small!) worked out perfectly, and I instantly went down the wormhole and began ordering all types of RAM GoPro accessories, which I now use with my GoPro Handlebar Mount as well (mentioned previously).
Dango Designs Motorcycle Helmet Chin Mount
Key Features:
- Easily movable and serves as a quick-attach fixed mount, handheld stabilizer, or mini tripod.
- 2-axis rotation for flexible and quick adjustment to reposition your camera for that perfect shot.
- Works with most full-face helmets
- Insanely strong grip
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Where I use it: On the chin of my helmet for POV Shots
Other Accessories I use with it:
- Extra Arms (to get the angle right on different helmets)
Why I love it: This chin mount is simply a giant (and strong) clip, so installing it takes seconds. I never have to worry about it coming off my helmet or wiggling around. Plus, it has a spring-loaded quick-adjust mounting system in case you want to flip your camera around on the fly.
Cons: It can feel heavy on certain helmets.
As someone who gets anxious when it takes more than 30 seconds to put a camera mount on anything, the Dango Designs Helmet Chin Mount was the perfect solution. While it’s nearly triple the cost of my previous mount, the Telesin Chin Mount, it solved my problems of 1) not being able to close my shield entirely and 2) installing (and uninstalling) in under 5 seconds.
As mentioned, this mount can feel a bit heavy, depending on what camera and helmet you’re mounting it to. I have ridden all day with this mount installed with no issues. However, I have heard others mention that they noticed the weight addition on their chin.
GoPro Suction Cup
Key Features:
- The industrial-strength suction cup has been tested at speeds of 150+ mph.
- Quick release base makes moving between shots and locations quick and convenient
- Adjustable arms allow for ultra-compact mounting
- Engineered for stability and a broad range of motion
Check the Price on Amazon
Where I use it: Windshields
Pros: Great for temporary use
Cons: Must have the perfect surface to stick it on, or it will fly off.
Taking a test ride? Renting a motorcycle? Don’t want a permanent GoPro adhesive mount being an eyesore? The Suction Cup is a great mount if you’re not planning to permanently stick a mount to a motorcycle. I primarily use this mount when I hop on motorcycle rentals that have windshields.
It’s important to note that you need to be extremely careful where you try to mount the suction cup. I’ve never lost a GoPro from a suction cup mount, but I also quadruple-check that it’s stuck to the surface I intended it to stick on, perfectly.
“The Grab Bag” – Adhesive Mounts and accessories for Motorcycle Helmets + Bike Parts
Key Features:
- Includes 1 Curved and 1 Flat Adhesive Mount, 2 mounting buckles, a 3-Way pivot arm, 1 short thumb screw, 1 long thumb screw and 1 flat thumb screw
- Helps expand your mounting options or can be used as repl
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Where I use it: I used the curved adhesive mount on top of my helmet for POV Riding shots, and flat adhesive mounts on certain motorcycle surfaces.
Pros: Comes with everything you need.
Cons: Adhesive mounts a kind of a permanent fixture, so if you don’t like seeing mounts on your helmet or bike at all times, this might be a deal breaker.
GoPro Handler Mount
Key Features:
- Wrist strap lanyard included for extra security
- It Floats!
- Makes it easy to aim your camera and capture a bunch of different angles
- Easy to switch between mounts with a quick release base
Check the Price on Amazon
When I use it: For handheld riding shots of friends or when I’m walking around
What I Love about it: It’s lightweight and the strap makes me worry less about losing the GoPro.
I call the GoPro Handler Mount my “Matt Laidlaw stick” after watching it dangle off his wrist in one of his travel videos. While I tend to pack it on most of my trips, I typically only use it when traveling in a group or when I hop of the bike to jump into a swimming hole.
Tips for Placing an Action Camera Mount on Your Motorcycle
- Consider the angle or image you’re trying to capture
- Make sure the surface you’re trying to put your camera mount on is clean
- Utilize the app to preview your camera angle
- Make sure all mounting points (arms, sockets, etc) are bolted together properly.
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