Recently, Motorcycle dash cams have become essential in ensuring rider safety on the roads. This innovative tool allows us to track the performance of road trips and important accident footage. Its advantages are not only limited to recording rides but also can serve as essential documentation and safety.
As technology advances, these cameras have gone from bulky and costly to compact, affordable, and feature-packed. However, from so many available options, finding the best motorcycle dash cam can take time and effort. We are here to simplify this process and provide a budget-friendly cam for you. Just have a look.
Why Are Motorcycle Dash Cams Essential?
Motorcycle dash cams can protect you from many risks, so you should install the best motorcycle dash cams. Here are some factors why you need to consider getting one.
Documenting the Accident –
When motorcycle accidents happen, it’s essential to have evidence to prove your innocence. This tool records your all activity during the ride and saves valuable evidence during an accident. Besides this, it’s beneficial when dealing with legal disputes and insurance claims.
Legal Liability –
Without giving the evidence of an accident, it can protect you from wrongful traffic violations. Since they have GPS and speed tracking, they can protect you from other traffic violations.
Capturing Your Adventures –
Every motorcyclist doesn’t use their motorcycle only to go to work; motorcycle riding is also a journey. During your trip, the best motorcycle camera can capture your road adventures. By capturing your memorable moments, you can save them for a long time.
How Does a Motorcycle Dash Camera Work?
A Dash innovative motorcycle camera is similar in design to cars and trucks, with several crucial differences. Basically, traditional dash cams can be mounted on the windshield. Also, it mainly focused on capturing ideal images from a vehicle’s windshield.
But motorcycle dash cams aren’t mounted on the windscreen; instead mounted on the handlebars, fairing, and frame. They are usually hard-wired to your motorcycle’s electrical system. When you start your bike, they turn on automatically and capture video with different modes.
Modes for capturing video include time-lapse, effects, or manual mode. Most cameras use tiny lenses and are wired with a controller box. And you can hide it under your seat, in an out-of-the-way location, and behind the fairing. The wiring size is typically for an average bike and small for vehicle dash cams.
Best Motorcycle Dash Cams Review:
We’ve given an overview of our top motorcycle dash cams below. To get detailed information on each pick, please scroll down.
1. Rand McNally TND Dash Cam:
- 2-watt speaker
- Rand Navigation 2.0.with modern interface
- powerful state-of-the-art hardware.
- It comes with an angle lens on the back of the tablet.
Our first and most potent product is Rand McNally TND Tablet 85. Basically, it’s a combo of next-gen truck GPS and Android tablet. The feature of this tablet is extensive truck routing and powerful state-of-the-art hardware.
And since it’s a tablet, you can access social media, email, and apps for entertainment. Moreover, it comes with a Rand Navigation 2.0 with a modern interface and soft, high-resolution visual translations.
With this tablet, drivers can follow more elaborate routes featuring 3D rendering of nearby landmarks and buildings. Due to having this tablet, drivers can also get detailed weather information and POI reviews. Without it, drivers can get access to many helpful truck tools like traffic updates, toll costs, service alerts, and more. Most importantly, its back angle lens can capture clear images on the front road. Actually, it’s built only for trucks.
Pros:
- It’s quicker, more robust and smarter
- Provides high-speed performance with silky-smooth graphics
- Durable magnetic mount
- Can alert you about upcoming Bridge heights and weight limits
Cons:
- There is no time zone associated with the clock
2. Garmin Dash Cam 57, 1440p, and 140 degree field of view
- Garmin Clarity HDR optics
- Durable design
- Small camera
- 140-degree wide-angle lens
This is a pocket-sized dash cam and is virtually invisible on your windshield. Automatically records and saves video of events with GPS location, date, and time. Note that the 140-degree wide-angle lens can record 1080p HD video for crisp detail day and night.
Likewise, it has a voice control feature that allows you to save videos, take photos, and step recording with voice commands. This feature uses voice commands in the languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish only).
Yet, your saved videos will automatically uploaded via a Wi-Fi connection to a secure online vault for later sharing and viewing. The exciting thing about this cam is that it has a parking guard monitor. This monitor can detect if an accident occurs around your parked cars.
After using these cams, you can gain awareness of your vehicle. Also, you can watch videos from 4 Garmin Dash Cams using the Garmin Drive app on your mobile.
Pros:
- Automatically upload the saved videos
- Help encourage safer driving
- improve situational awareness
- withstands harsh vehicle environments
Cons:
- The negatives so far are the excessive heat and Wi-Fi file upload latency.
3. PB22 Dual Dash Camera
- High-quality and Durable
- 4K Ultra HD Recording
- Innovative Ethernet rearview camera head
- larger SD card capacity
If you are researching many reviews and finding the best Dash cams you can pick this PB22 4K Dual Dash Cam. The video quality of front and back cameras is absolutely incredible. Additionally, it comes with a 512GB maximum SD card size, which is more than enough for a long journey.
After more extended use, it will fill with 4K resolution. The SD card pops out easily when you want to transfer files. You can upload your video files anytime and easily remove the SD card from it. Mainly, its built-in battery and sensors can activate recording whenever a bump or collision occurs.
You can quickly set it up in your car, which means you can set it up within an hour. With this camera, you can get an extra USB slot for other electronics in your vehicle.
Pros:
- The overall quality of the unit is amazing
- The video quality is clear and great
- Easy to install
- It avoids accidents and protects your driving safety
Cons:
- It lasts for just over a year and tends to accumulate
4. insta360×3 Action Camera
- 4K Single-Lens Mode
- FlowState Stabilization & 360 Horizon Lock
- Impossible Third-Person View
- It included charge cable, protective pouch, lens cloth, and more
For people looking for the best action camera, the insta360×3 will be the best choice. It’s because image quality and image stabilization are fantastic. The X3 captures 5.7K 360 active HDR video; don’t miss the action. Notably, you can choose your favorite angle with the easy reframing tool in the AI-powered insta360 app.
It packs more pixels for clarity and detail, even in low lights. Eventually, it can also capture 8k time elapses, 72mP photos, and more. You must use their proprietary software to frame the footage you want to export. And then bring all those exports into regular editing software and combine them.
Be prepared for a learning curve on how to use and edit footage. There is no need to point the camera because this camera films everything. To use this camera, you need to buy a high-speed memory card. Otherwise, it will complain to you.
Pros:
- Deliver incredibly smooth videos.
- Excellent, and perfect for a novice
- It is great software and comes with a million tutorials
- Easy to use and very intuitive
Cons:
- The battery life is hideous
5. insta360 Waterproof Action Camera
- DUAL 1/2″ 48MP SENSORS
- 360° recording & reframing
- 2.29 Inch Touch Screen
- Live streaming and voice control
The Insta360 X3 is a well-built, waterproof action camera with 360-degree vision. Generally, it captures amazing moments because it can see from all directions simultaneously. Furthermore, you can easily edit the created video with the included software.
Indeed, it will look decent as long as the lighting is good. The image stabilization is absolutely mind-blowing, and the battery life is good. The file size is reasonable compared to professional cameras. So, if you’re worried, take a few micro SD cards, but usually, a decent 128 GB card will be enough for most days.
The Flowstat stabilizes like a gimbal and works wonderfully in dynamic situations. Whether filming while walking or at high speed, footage remains steady and smooth. Thanks to the intuitive features for tracking and reframing shots. If you’re looking for a high-quality, versatile 360 camera, the X3 is the best choice.
Pros:
- Provides professional capture
- Reasonable price
- Perfect for travel and cell phones
- Sound quality with built-in microphone
Cons:
- Image and video quality isn’t perfect
6. Insta360 ×3 + Tripod Selfie Stick Bundle
- Extremely sturdy and well-made
- Very attractive
- Maximum battery life
- 360-degree footage
The last and most unique product on our list is Insta360 ×3 + Tripod Selfie Stick Bundle. There are more dedicated dash cams, but most motorcyclists haven’t used them. Most motorcyclists love to use Insta360 X3. Once upon a time, these dash cams were makeshift motorcycle dash cams.
But the X3’s ability to continuously record 360 footage makes it a much more advanced dash cam. Unfortunately, you may prefer the cheaper X2 model, but you can miss the loop recording. Still, you may not know loop recording is necessary if you want a dash cam for your motorcycle or car.
Loop recording lets you set a loop duration of 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 minutes. Additionally, it will delete the footage within your chosen time unless something happens. The battery lasts up to 81 minutes, and for most commuters, it’s enough.
Pros:
- Has Loop recording
- Easy to install and use
- Doubles as an action camera
- Best camera for motorcycle touring
Cons:
- Pricier than traditional dash camera
What To Look For When Buying Motorcycle Dash Cams:
When you decide to buy any products, it’s best to check their features and know about them properly. So, like any other product, you should look for some factors before purchasing motorcycle dash cams. We give you some elements so you can choose the right one ideally.
Quality of Video
Most motorcycle dash cams today are equipped with 1080p HD cameras. Some offer older 720p technology. If you love to ride at night, make sure your cam has a capacity for the night version. It’s because you can capture explicit videos on nights.
Memory Capacity
Before buying a Dashcam for your motorcycle, you should look for its memory capacity. Consider purchasing a dash cam that can hold up to 256 GB of data. Usually, 32 to 64 GB capacity cameras are available in the market, and it’s easy for most riders. But if you often live to a long drive with your motorcycle, it beats to choose a bigger one. Many dash cams have memory cards, but not all. That’s why you should buy one separately.
Loop Recording and G-sensor
All modern dash cams come with a continuous loop recording. One of the best cams allows you to choose the loop duration. A G-sensor is an essential feature in case of an accident. Actually, this feature automatically activates recording and then locks the footage.
Waterproofing
Generally, a motorcycle dashcam’s intention differs from a car dashcam’s. During driving, your camera lenses must be exposed to the components, and the primary recording must be subject to vibration. So the lenses must be fully waterproof and the central unit vibration-proof and ideally waterproof.
The Lenses
A wide-angle lens will capture the action from around the bike, while a narrow lens will highlight details further away. Many consider around a 170° angle lens ideal for a dashcam. The reason is that, this will capture all information around the bike. Some systems use a single camera lens, and some use two, one facing the front and one facing the rear.
Integrated or Separate Lens
Some dash cams are integrated, single units and perform independently with a power supply but no other connections. Others use a central recording unit and individual lenses to place around the motorcycle. Now the choice is yours.
Video Resolution
As with the camera angle, the higher the video resolution, the more information you can get in your recording. The higher the resolution, the easier it is for details like car number plates or human identification. Ideally, you want 4k resolution, but as a minimum, you should find 1080P.
Logging
Some dashcams have built-in GPS tracking to locate any accident location when evidence is necessary. They can ensure travel and speed and act as a journey log to share with other drivers.
Fitting
Fixed systems will typically mount a lens to cover the entire front view. Likewise, a rearview also can do the same. If you’re using a standalone dashcam, you should mount it on the bike. It’s because you may need to ensure it captures the entire scene but doesn’t interfere with the road ahead view. That’s why you should ensure it’s mounted securely and not to move.
Final Word:
On the other hand, adding the best motorcycle dash cams to your bike will provide you with increased security. Ultimately, it can protect you in the event of an accident. And having the evidence can save you in police cases and more. That’s why using quality and best dash cams is essential.
For you, we compiled a list of some of the best dash cams so that you can choose the best one for you. You can also buy the best motorcycle helmet speakers Bluetooth to ensure proper fun and safety. And you can get that information from our other blog post. Thanks for reading with the patient.