With the rate at which technology is constantly evolving, GoPro for motorcycles can perform similar tasks that a high-end video camera could once do. Action cameras are so pro-adventure today that their mounts, functions, user- interface, and build quality are all suited for adventures like motorcycle riding.
The GoPro Hero 9 is the best motorcycle camera and is excellent value for money. The stabilization is impressive whether you go off-road riding or cruise at high speed. While the DJI Osmo would be a suitable option for moto-vlogging with its dual touch screen display.
Quick Summary:
| Best GoPro For Motorcycle | Highlights |
|---|---|
| GoPro Hero 9 Black | 5K Resolution |
| GoPro Hero 8 Black | Best Overall |
| GoPro Max | Best 360 GoPro |
| GoPro Hero 7 Black | Best Under $250 |
| DJI OSMO Action | RockSteady Stablization |
| Insta 360 One R Twin | 360-Custom Mods |
| SJCam SJ8 Pro | Advanced Image Sensor |
| YI 4K+ | Budget GoPro |
| Akaso V50 Pro | Best under $150 |
| Campark X30 | Best under $110 |
| Drift Ghost 4K | For Rugged Use |
| Sony FDR-X3000 | Zeiss Tessar Lens |
I’m a tech-savvy rider and intend to share my adventures with the world. I’ve been riding for many years now and have used motorcycle cameras that cost nearly $400 to action cameras that cost a mere $50. I will help list the best GoPros for motorcycles today and help you choose the appropriate one based on your purpose and riding style.
Best GoPro for Motorcycle 2024
1. GoPro Hero9 Black
GoPro has been around for a long time, and it is the brand that often comes to the minds of people who think of an action camera. The Hero 9 Black is a fully loaded action camera launched in September 2020. With that, GoPro has once again proved that it makes the best action camera in the world.
The Hero9 is also slightly more significant than the Hero8 to accommodate a bigger battery that provides 30% extra battery life, hypersmooth 3.0, live streaming, a front screen, and a larger sensor. The result of the upgrade is evident to people who have been in this field for a long time. Some highlights make the Hero 9 Black the best in the market today. This is one popular recommendation for those looking for a quality vlogging camera.
Starting at $350, the GoPro Hero 9 isn’t exactly what one would call cheap. Still, with the features on offer and the camera being so robust with 5K resolution, Hero 9 would be the best motorcycle camera for vlogging.
2. GoPro Hero8 Black
The Hero8 Black from GoPro is another example of how good GoPro’s are. Though it is priced much lower than the Hero9 (obviously!), it provides excellent value for money. Suppose someone isn’t too keen on the tiny quality difference between Hero8 and Hero9. In that case, the Hero8 is a great option to consider.
This is also an excellent option for vlogging if the Hero9 is not within reach in terms of budget. The Hero8 has excellent abilities to capture motorcycling rides without a glitch. The video stabilization is great for off-road rides as Hypersmooth 2.0 ensures the footage is captured without shaking.
This camera captures excellent video quality at 4K 60 FPS and shoots 12 MP photos with live streaming. The difference between the Hero7 Black and Hero8 Black was that the Hero8 is slightly larger and has better resolution, stabilization, and battery life.
The most significant physical difference is that the lens cover on the Hero8 is fixed and can’t be replaced, unlike on the Hero7, a feature many riders don’t look forward to because a detachable lens cover helps to replace it in case of damage or a crack. On the Hero8, though, the entire GoPro might have to be replaced if the lens cover is cracked or damaged.
The Hero8 is a robust, vlogger-friendly camera that won’t disappoint you even on the harshest motorcycle ride. Starting at $280, this is a value-for-money package for riders considering excellent build quality under the $300 budget.
3. GoPro Max Action Camera
The GoPro Max is not your regular action camera. It is a 360-degree action camera and is one of the best to launch out of GoPro’s stable.
Equipped with a high-end processor excellent at stitching footage and photos from content captured by two lenses, the Max can record at a whopping 6K resolution and is compatible with most action camera mounts.
Though it is the fusion of two lenses, the Max isn’t that large and heavy. The camera is built tough for any adventure and is waterproof up to 5 meters. This is an ideal GoPro for motorcycle tourers and travelers since they can capture their surroundings with a single camera while focusing on the ride.
The Quik app lets you connect with the Max over WiFi to transfer content and edit it on the go. The mobile app is super easy to use and lets you edit 360-degree videos how you want. 1600 mAh battery powers the Max and provides a decent recording time.
If 360 is too much for you, you could also use this as a GoPro and record one side of the view. This is the Ducati of motorcycles; you’ve got to have one!
4. GoPro Hero7 Black
GoPro officially discontinues the GoPro Hero7 Black. However, many sellers still have stock to clear. The Hero7 Black is still a worthy contender despite its official discontinuation. The photo and video quality is very close to the Hero8’s output quality.
The Hero7 Black features a hyper-smooth stabilization with a three-axis stabilization equivalent to a handheld gimbal. The Hero7 Black also has a voice control feature that recognizes over twelve voice commands. A port for a GoPro external microphone also exists on the Hero7.
The touchscreen responds to touch immediately, while the camera itself is robust and waterproof up to 30 meters. Low- Light performance is ideal for capturing content in the wee hours while heading out on early rides. The TimeWarp feature on the Hero7 Black captures excellent time-lapses of motorcycles or beautiful scenery you come across on your rides.
Available for prices ranging between $250 and $290, the Hero7 Black is available on certain E-commerce websites. If you get it for less than what GoPro Hero8 costs, then it would be a great deal to consider.
5. DJI Osmo Action
If you’re a tech-savvy rider, you’ve heard of DJI. Known for the different kinds of drones it manufactures and markets, DJI jumped into the action camera market and launched Osmo Action in 2019. It wasn’t just any ordinary launch. With the kind of aggressive pricing Osmo Action received against its features, you could say that DJI is right behind GoPro in attracting its customer base.
With the ability to record HDR videos at 4K 60 FPS and 12 MP still photos, The Osmo Action is the same as a GoPro in terms of resolution! It sports a 1/2.3” CMOS Sensor and a wide f/2.8 lens, suggesting it would do well under low lighting conditions.
With touchscreen displays at the front and back, slow-motion video recording at 1080P resolution at 240 FPS, DJI’s RockSteady Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), time-lapse and hyper-lapse modes, the option to click RAW or JPG 12 MP photos, and an auto-rotate feature- this camera is packed with tech that is motorcycling- friendly.
GoPro and generic action camera mounts are compatible with the DJI Osmo Action. The camera also sports two microphones and two speakers and is waterproof up to 11 meters. With a robust build quality, buttons that are easy to operate while wearing motorcycle gloves, and excellent battery life- the Osmo Action could be a rider’s great action companion.
6. Insta 360 One R Twin Edition
This is a unique concept for an action camera that helps a rider choose the lens he/ she wants. The camera is a primary configuration for the modular ONE R camera system, consisting of the core module, a 4K wide-angle mod, a dual-lens 360 mod, and the battery base that holds both modules together.
So the rider can use the 4K wide-angle mod or a dual-lens 360 mod apart from the core module and battery base that come as standard. The two mods can be swapped depending on the nature of the content a rider intends to capture.
The One R Twin edition allows you to approach different applications with one system, which is brilliant. Conventional cameras look very similar these days. In contrast, the Insta 360 One R Twin Edition is an entirely new, out-of-the-box design.
The ONE R system is designed to be waterproof without any waterproof housing required but needs to be installed in the Mounting Frame, allowing it to be used up to 5 meters underwater.
The Core module has a touchscreen live-view display and can be used with the wide-angle mod if you want a wider screen. Also, the Insta360 app features an AI video editing tool that edits your shot in minutes using Shot Lab.
The Insta 360 One R is an excellent option for a tech-savvy rider looking to capture high-resolution content with an action camera that isn’t conventional! But, at $479, it sure is a pricey deal.
7. SJCAM SJ8 Pro
The SJCAM SJ Pro star has a solid camera with its H22 Ambarella Chipset S85 processor and a Sony IMX377 sensor producing 4K resolution videos at 60 FPS. A 1200 mAh high-capacity battery powers this smart action camera for at least 90- 130 minutes, depending on your settings.
It takes 12 MP crisp stills in RAW or JPEG, and a 170-degree field of view will ensure your handlebars and the road ahead are well within the frame. The SJ8 comes with an external waterproof case that makes it waterproof for up to 30 meters. It needs a case, unlike other expensive GoPros that are independently waterproof by themselves.
The 2.33-inch touch-responsive screen makes it easier to see and choose the right settings. The user interface is very adaptive and simple to use. You could also choose to use the app and control the camera from your smartphone. Six-axis built-in video stabilization is satisfactory.
The SJ8 Pro from SJCam ticks most boxes that a rider would require. At $239, it is an affordable action camera with many accessories in the box. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a camera with loads of accessories around the $250 price range. Wait, but there’s also the Osmo Action for a lower price. You choose!
8. Yi 4K+
The YI 4K+ is the world’s best motorcycle camera for its value at a $200 price point. The picture quality comes close to that of the GoPro Hero 6, which is great praise for an action camera.
The 12 MP Sony CMOS Sensor with Exmor R integrated with Ambarella H2 + Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 processor provides super-fast performance and a responsive, smooth interface. Videos can be shot at a maximum resolution of 4K at 60 FPS. Battery backup of the Yi 4K+ is the best at 1400 mAh and lasts 2 hours when shot at a high resolution.
Video Stabilization is built-in and does a decent job. Voice commands have basic functionality. The camera is not waterproof, but it does come with a waterproof case that protects it up to 30 meters. Like the Hero7, the Yi 4K+ is officially discontinued but is still available in the market.
At $200, this is a steal considering its fluid touchscreen, battery backup, compatibility with motorcycle camera mounts, and, of course, the quality it offers.
9. Akaso V50 Pro
The Akaso V50 Pro does a lot when considering the price it is offered. Capability to record at 4k 30 FPS, 1080P @ 60fps, and 720P @ 120/60fps- the V50 Pro can perform various tasks for different riders. Out of the given options, it performs at its best at 1080P 60 FPS.
The built quality of the Akaso V50 Pro is better than average and trumps the build quality of other budget action cameras in the same price range. The camera can achieve waterproofing with a waterproof housing that protects it up to 30 meters.
Regarding the photos it clicks, the V50 Pro can shoot images of up to 20 MP, which is excellent, considering this is a budget action camera. With the best settings, an 1100 mAh battery powers the V50 Pro for up to 100 minutes.
The V50 also has an App to take over its control since it can be paired with a smartphone over WIFI. You also get an adjustable field of view, electronic image stabilization, and a variety of accessories with the camera. Another big plus of this camera is that it can be used for vlogging since it provides an external mic.
At just a $110 price point, the Akaso V50 sells at half the price of a trending motorcycle camera. With so many features and accessories it offers, I can vouch that this is the best action cam at this price point.
10. Campark X30
This camera is indeed a deal-breaker. The Campark X30 could be your beginner GoPro at an affordable price. The X30 can shoot raw footage up to 4k at 60fps and captures 20 MP shots with great details.
The best part of Campark X30 is you get two batteries right out of the box, which may last up to 2 hours each, depending on your usage. The X30 features an advanced electronic image stabilizer for motorcycling to ensure smooth and steady footage. Also, with the waterproof case, the camera can be immersed underwater up to 130 feet.
The X30 built quality is durable enough and has a good appearance. Many customers are impressed with the impressive quality of videos and images provided by the Campark X30. In terms of usability, the X30 has a 2-inch touchscreen that is quite responsive.
11. Drift Ghost 4K
The Drift Ghost 4K is an ideal camera for motorcycle riders. It fits excellently onto a motorcycle helmet and causes less drag due to its streamlined, aerodynamic shape. The Drift Ghost 4K can shoot 4K ultra HD video at 30 FPS and captures stunning slo-mo in 1080P at 120 FPS. In terms of photos, it can capture 12 MP still shots.
The best feature of the Ghost 4K is that the field of view can be aligned to 300 degrees with its rotating lens, which is an excellent deal for motorcyclists. The camera comes with an inbuilt mic. In case you want to use an external microphone, there’s a microphone jack available for it.
The Drift has a dashcam mode that can be used as a motorcycle dash camera. The biggest plus point is its 1500 mAh battery that lasts up to 4 hours, almost double what any other camera can offer. This would prove very handy on a long motorcycle ride where charging ports are not readily available.
If you’re with a group of riders with the same camera, the Drift Ghost 4K can be paired with up to 10 other Drift Ghost action cameras in Clone mode and controlled with one device.
The company also provides a wristband two-way led remote control to start and stop recording. While the camera isn’t waterproof, it is water-resistant to be used while riding in the rain but cannot be submerged underwater.
Retailing at $250, this is a unique, no-nonsense, and purpose-built motorcycle helmet camera. If you prefer an analog-ish action camera with a simple interface, this is the one.
12. Sony FDR-X3000
Almost five years old, the Sony FDR-X3000 is the only camera with a Zeiss Tessar lens. The unique features of the FDR-X3000 are the field of view, optical image stabilization, and audio quality.
The Sony FDR X-3000 holds a 12MP camera with a CMOS Sensor, which helps to shoot great photos & videos in low light conditions.
The FDR can shoot 4k videos at 30FPS and 1080P at 120FPS. It has a different focal length video option to record in wide, medium, and narrow modes, which helps to avoid fisheye distortion, unlike the GoPro Hero Series.
Its sleek design makes it the best camera for motorcycle helmets, which can be mounted to the side of the helmet. Unlike all other action cameras with Electronic Image stabilization, the FDR comes with Optical Image stabilization, which means that the lens adjusts itself to stabilize the footage.
