I have used a lot of GoPro motorcycle helmet chin mounts over the years to get footage for MCrider. In my opinion having the GoPro camera mounted low on the front of a full face helmet offers the best view, it is the least obtrusive for the rider and gives the viewer the feeling of actually riding the motorcycle.
Here are a few options I have successfully used over the years to get a GoPro mounted to the front of my full face helmet. Surely one of these options will fit your needs.
Option 1: Make your own chin mount with Sugru
I started out making one of my own helmet chin mounts with a product called Sugru. This option worked great and may be the only option you have depending on the orientation and available space on the front of your full face motorcycle helmet. I used this mount for well over a year and never had any issues with it coming loose or causing any problems.
This uses an existing GoPro curved mount that comes with the camera (you may want to trim it as I demonstrate in the video) and Sugru to adhere the mount to the helmet. The flexibility of Sugru allows it to adhere to the creases and lines of the helmet and securely attaches the mount to the helmet once it has cured.
You can purchase Sugru here. Even if you don't end up using the Sugru to make a chin mount for your helmet…it is a great product to have on hand. I have used it for several DIY fixes in the past…in fact I just used the link above to order more Sugru for something I want to secure on my Honda Goldwing. 😉
What are your goals for shooting motorcycle videos?
Whether you want to document your ride, create technical/training videos like those found on MCrider, or create an epic riding adventure video, having the right gear and mount is just the start.
But, if your goal is to document an epic ride in an inspiring format, having a variety in your filming angles is the key.
Here are some of my videos that demonstrate the importance of a variety of angles.
Notice how changing the camera angle and not holding the video in one place for too long makes a road trip more interesting and engaging to watch?
Option 2: MotoRadd Adhesive Mount
After using the Sugru method for about a year and a half I got a new helmet. I was going to make another mount with Sugru when I found a different option that I ended up trying called MotoRadd. You can purchase a MotoRadd mount here.
The MotoRadd is a self adhesive mount that uses 3M tape to secure the mount to the helmet. Because of the winged style of the mount it fits a wide variety of helmets and offers more adhesive contact to the helmet than many other mounts. I used this mount on a Shoei GT-Air and a Shoei RF-1200 and I can confirm that it fits on these helmets with no problems.
I used the Motoradd mount for about 2 years and the mount never came loose from the helmet. When I purchase a new helmet I removed the MotoRadd from my older GT-Air and purchased new 3M tape to affix it to the new helmet. For some reason I have not been able to get what I would consider a firm fit to the new helmet using off the shelf 3M tape.
This sent me back to the drawing boards to see what newer solutions were available to mount a GoPro to a helmet. The main problem I have with the two prior methods is the mount is always on the helmet. I am not always running a GoPro and during those times I would like a cleaner looking helmet without mounts stuck to the front of it. In addition if you purchase a new helmet you must also purchase a new mount or make a new mount if using the Sugru method.
Option 3: Dango Design Gripper Mount
Then I found the Dango Design Gripper Mount. The Gripper Mount attaches to the bottom of the chin bar on the helmet with a clip style mount. It has soft rubber covering the clamps that keeps from scratching the helmet and helps hold the mount in place. The springs on this mount are surprisingly strong and hold the camera in place very securely. They also provide a tether that can used as an optional back up but I have never used it or felt the need to use the tether. You can purchase the Gripper Mount here.
I have not had the road time with this mount for the long term yet but it has worked flawlessly in the times I have used it. The nice thing about the mount is it is totally removable when not in use. I can throw the mount with a GoPro camera attached into the saddle bags and put it on the helmet easily whenever I need it.
Another huge bonus with using this type of mount is it can be used in other places as well. I can be clipped to the front windshield or other similar surfaces on the motorcycle. It can be attached to a tree branch or road sign if you want to get ride by or off bike footage, and the mount sits flat on any surface so it can be used as a ground level tripod. There is so much more versatility to having this mount in your GoPro bag of tricks.
I would not hesitate to recommend any of these methods for mounting a GoPro or similar camera to your helmet. In my experience they have all been secure and I have never had a drop using any of these methods for mounting the camera.
But, for the best experience in my opinion the Dango Design Gripper Mount wins hands down. It is secure, it is removable, it can be carried from one helmet to the next and it can be used in many other ways than just mounting to a helmet.
If you are interested in any of these options using the links below will provide a little support back to MCrider.
Purchase Sugru (Even if you don't make your own mount…check this stuff out)
MotoRadd Mount (Slightly less expensive but also less useful and flexible than the Gripper Mount below)
****Dango Design Gripper Mount*** In my opinion this is the winner hands down when it comes to mounting a GoPro to the front of your motorcycle helmet.
