Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

Miscellaneous Items

Camera- Honestly, I don't know much about cameras or photography, I just point and shoot.  My personal perquisites for a camera are: Simple to operate, and easy to carry.  My camera is a Sony DSC-W100, 8.1 pixels with a zoom.  It is small and thin.  Not real fancy, but enough fine tuning options to make me better than I really am.  I carry it in the front right zippered pocket of the Roadcrafter.  When it rains I case it, and place it in the Moto Fizz bag, so moisture can't get into it.

Lets say you're into photography, (a common hobby for riders) looking to ride motorcycles, and have expensive equipment.  You're going to need a top case, or medium size tank bag to secure your camera gear.  All the friends I have, that use high end cameras have at least one of these options to pack their gear.

Videocam- My video cam is a Sony DCR-HC46, this unit uses mini tapes, which work better than discs on motorcycles.  Bumps and other rough riding causes "skip" in units that utilize digital storage.   I don't know much about videocams, but the Sony has image stabilization, that smooths out the image when the camera is bouncing.  Important when riding a motorcycle.

I enjoy recording my tours with the videocam.  The unit is mounted on the brake reservoir of each bike with RAM mounts.  I bought the mounting solution from www.cyclegadgets.com  A visit to their URL will help you find the right application for your bike.  Do a search on RAM mounts when you get to the web site.  They will answer all your questions if you wish to mount a videocam.

The Sony videocam installed and ready for use
on the ST 1300.

Cell Phone- One of the most important items a Long Rider can pack.  My phone is my link to family, friends, and the outside world when I'm on a long tour.  My current phone is a Blackberry Pearl, and my carrier is ATT.  I'm happy with my service and have good coverage throughout North America, but for some reason, I've never been able to lock a signal at the campground in the Blue Ridge.

My phone has the following numbers stored in the directory-  major motel chains, my local Honda dealer in case I need mechanical advice, all my friends, bank, American Express, and insurance agent.  My Blackberry gives me internet access, which means I no longer have to call friends for weather reports, I can get a radar look right from my phone.  I can also pick up my emails.

I know for some a cell phone is a evil thing, because it means work can hassle you while your're on a ride, that has to be aggravating, but you need a good phone for the reasons I stated above.  My cell is for pleasure, and because I ride solo, it keeps me from getting lonely.  When I leave out on a trip, it is good to know so many of my friends have my back via my cell. 

I do carry a backup AA charger, to charge the phone at campgrounds that have no power outlets.  Both my bikes have outlets but I don't have the adapter (mine are BMW plugs, not the standard).  I'll have one by my next tour.

DVD Player-  What can I say?  I sometimes like to watch movies when I'm camped out.  I use a stand alone Sony portable.  Small, easy to pack.  I pull out 4-5 movies from my vast DVD collection when I leave out on a tour, or I stop at a Wal Mart for the latest releases.  Most nights I'm too sleepy to get a movie going, but every once in a while, it is a good way to pass the time.   I do see a time I'll go to a IPOD Nano.  It is much smaller, and more versatile.

PDA- I've been using a Dell Axim for several years, but with the coming of the Blackberry, I find myself using it only to keep notes for the trip journals.  All of my contacts, calendar, internet access have been transferred to my phone.  My PDA, and Blackberry both link to Outlook on my desk top, so my info is constantly updated.  The Axim is bluetooth wireless and WI FI, but the Blackberry's internet abilities are more convenient (most anyplace I have a cell signal I can get online).  The Axim's stylus and keyboard are easier to use, than the keyboard on my phone, so I still prefer it for writing notes.

Backup Wallet- I use a neck wallet during the day, and keep my main wallet locked away on the bike.  I have 2 debit cards, and an American Express card.  Each morning I transfer some cash out of the main stash to the neck wallet, to join one of my debit cards.  I keep my main body of cash, the AE card, and the other debit card put away.  I have a loathing fear of losing my wallet, but now I have a system.  If I do lose a my wallet, I have a backup to save the tour and get me home.