Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

Oily Rag - Dedicated to Pat, Greywolf. 26/06/45 - 04/06/18 => Accessories and After Market items => Topic started by: NeilM on January 30, 2024, 07:32:55

Title: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: NeilM on January 30, 2024, 07:32:55
I am just renewing my bike insurance and noticed that there is a specific mention in the documents of dash cam footage, in this case having footage protects my excess.

I have been looking at cameras for a while, but this really is the prompt to do something, so, any recommendations? Preferably that don't cost a small fortune, I just want five minute loops front and back.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: radu on April 05, 2024, 18:08:14
hi, I have a Gopro 7 on my bike. The casing is fitted so I only have to remove the camera from it's skeleton frame when not in use. The battery lasts about 45 minutes, but it can be used while plugged in to a battery pack or a 12v socket so you can use it for hours. There are other options with wired in front and back camera, but I have my Gopro for a while now and I use it as well when I'm going in holidays as well.
When my gopro brakes or gives up, I might consider a wired in front and back option.   
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Brockett on April 05, 2024, 20:11:56
I have never heard of that.... who is the insurance company?
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 05, 2024, 22:00:04
I’ve been looking at the Innovv K6 (front and rear cameras) as it gets good reviews.

Easy to fit. I’d just plug the system into the USB socket for power.

£249 delivered, plus what ever it costs for a 256 micro SD card from Amazon or alike.

I’ve got a dashcam in the car, had one in my van, so I’m thinking why not on my bike? 🤔
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: NeilM on April 06, 2024, 07:31:22
Brockett, I'm insured with BeMoto.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Brockett on April 06, 2024, 11:03:29
I am very interested on the result of your quest as I too would like a front/ rear camera set-up.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Jim13_Wee_Strom on April 06, 2024, 14:18:31
I'd be wary of having too large an sd card or of storing too much information on an sd card mounted in any dash cam. If you abide by all of the rules, all of the time when riding a bike or driving the car (as we do  :icon_wink:) no problem... An sd card and the footage thereon can be considered as evidence in the event of an accident.

I'm not saying don't get one... be careful with your evidence if you do.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: nigel s on April 06, 2024, 14:34:16
Yeah ,that has always stopped me getting one.
Now if you could get one that only comes on in the red circles,then turns off at the nationals ,I'm in.
Lots of bikes,all new Kwaks for example have crash incident recorders that continually record what you do , throttle/speed etc, in a loop,and save it as evidence in the case of a crash.Both parties and the Police can get access to it with a court order.
On the fence on that one.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: purplebikeunicorn on April 06, 2024, 19:29:00
IIRC I have read previously that bike mounted cameras can be seized much more easily than rider mounted cameras (I.e. on your helmet).

IMO there are that many people with dash cams now, and much more CCTV, so realistically if you haven't recorded yourself doing something daft then someone else probably has...

https://www.whitedalton.co.uk/motorbike-blog/2016/02/the-camera-never-lies-2/
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 06, 2024, 19:39:36
I’ve only heard of people being prosecuted using Dashcam footage when they’ve made it public….. ie YouTube / facebook etc🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Rusty Nuts on April 06, 2024, 21:59:48
But....if a drunk, stoned, texting unlicensed uninsured twoc teenager pulls out and t-bones you and your dashcam says you were 4mph over the limit it will affect the way claims are settled. Authorities always want the 2 minutes before and after any incident, I'm led to believe.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: NeilM on April 07, 2024, 07:17:52
Two minutes before and after is correct.

I have cycled for years with a front camera and I can only think of a tiny number of occasions when, after an 'incident' I didn't submit a video because of self incrimination... in other words, I was being as much of a twat as the person attacking me with their car.

I am still searching for a camera. I don't want to spend the hundreds that an Innova system would cost, as 99.5% of the time the super high quality footage will stay on the SD card, so it really doesn't matter how well colour corrected it is, or how high the frames per second are, but I obviously just want footage good enough to clearly record registration numbers, which my cheap as chips, Go Pro knock off ebay special action camera has always done perfectly.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: purplebikeunicorn on April 07, 2024, 18:15:00
I think 4mph over the speed limit would only cause an issue IF it had directly contributed to the accident. I.e. could you have braked and stopped (or, swerved) to avoid said twoccy teenager, or would it still have happened.

If you submit footage through Op Snap, they do warn you can also be done if you have committed some kind of offence too - I.e. make sure your driving or riding is squeaky clean 1 min before and 1 min after - so don't submit any footage of you antagonising someone then them reacting!

There are several options on Aliexpress, I would avoid the cheapest of the cheap, but unsure if there would be much difference between the £60-70 odd dual mc camera systems and the £120-150 ones. Make sure you get one that states it records in mp4, you're then less likely to get a mjpeg type that looks like a donkeys other name.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Berty5000 on April 11, 2024, 20:14:47
I got a Drift Ghost XL a couple of years ago. Affordable but very good. I think you can get one for £149. Video quality is decent. Sound quality - lots of wind noise but you can either turn the mic off or connect an external mic, with a regular jack connector (unlike go pro) and place that somewhere less exposed, eg. Inside helmet or under seat. I had it attached to the side of my helmet with one of the fittings but there are other options. There is a free app and you can control the camera from your phone. It all works very well.

It is way cheaper than a go pro. Far, far better than the cheapo options on the likes of amazon. I've tried cheapo go pro rip offs costing 50 quid and sent them all back. They're garbage.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 17, 2024, 20:07:16
I’ve just fitted the INNOVV K6.

I’m only using the USB socket for the power supply. I’ve also modified the mounting hardware to make it look tidier (well I think it’s tidier🤷‍♂️).

I’ve put a little protection on the plastics under the front cables. They’re not touching the plastics, but I want to make sure that if the wind causes them to move, no damage is done.

I’ll put a few photos on of the mounting points and power point. Then some screen shots of the view front / rear / both together.

I haven’t been out on the road yet, but there is no evidence of vibrations on the videos whilst on tick over.

One of the expensive options on the market, but I’m spoiling myself with this bike.😉

Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 17, 2024, 20:08:32
And the screen shots…..

Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 19, 2024, 19:20:30
Fitted it Wednesday, needed it on my first run out with it on Thursday.

Thank goodness I had it fitted…..

Claim going through so I can’t divulge details. The footage fully vindicates me.👍
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: NeilM on April 20, 2024, 06:49:17
Oh No!

Hope you are OK.

Bikes can be repaired, we are a little more fragile ( although we hate to admit it).
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: nigel s on April 20, 2024, 07:29:47
Phild,
A silver lining to a black cloud ,I hope it all works out for you.
Take it easy now.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Rusty Nuts on April 20, 2024, 08:36:32
Hope you're OK, can't wait for the movie to come out.
 :eusa-doh: :eusa-doh: :eusa-doh:
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 20, 2024, 08:37:44
Thanks blokes. I don’t bounce as well as I used too, bruised but I’m okay. The bike (particularly the engine bars and exhaust) and my riding kit did a sterling  job in protecting me from serious harm.

Having viewed the footage, Insurance already agreed (within minutes whilst I was still on the phone to the claim management company!) to go ahead with a 100% no blame to me claim.

Bike looks to be a write-off, to be honest I don’t want it now.

First bit to be bolted on to any future bike…. Dashcam. I’ve already purchased one and had it sent to my son to have him fit it on his bike.👍

Once it’s all settled I’ll fill you in on the details.👍
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: nigel s on April 20, 2024, 13:38:04
Quick tip,from someone who has dealt with claim management people,
If you have the bike ,keep it, and get the assesor to come to you.
Don't get a "hire " bike, a non hired to you bike is fine.
All the bills for storage and "hire " are down to you till settled.
The settlement may be a given in your case ,but sometimes the claim managers take the other insurance to court for the fees,which if you decline to attend or fail to help with any request they make,you will be chased for the "hire " bike and fees.
Also in my case the court case was listed in Manchester, 400 miles away ,deliberately , to make it hard for the person who took you off to attend.
Never speak to the other insurance people,if they get in touch,tell your insurance,let them deal with it.
Pays to have your wits about you and keep a written record of EVERYTHING, calls and time line.
Not trying to worry you,it will all be fine. But being prepared takes some of the stress out of dealing with them.
All the best.
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: nigel s on April 20, 2024, 14:18:51
That should read "took me off to attend " sorry.Too late to change it.
You may Know all this.......if so....... feel free to tell me to sod off  :grin:
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 20, 2024, 15:54:58
Thanks Nigel. I never tell people sod off when they’re trying to help.👍

The bike is here and it’s not going anywhere. The management company have already acknowledged they are happy where it is, and instructed the assessor to attend my home address.

In a previous life I dealt with many RTC’s…… or RTA’s in my time.😉
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 25, 2024, 19:23:22
Bike written off….. hoping to have another on order within the next couple of days.

Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: NeilM on April 26, 2024, 07:14:50
Well I suppose the only silver lining is that you are OK.

Going back to see Ash at AT?
Title: Re: Looking for Dash Cam Recommendations.
Post by: Phild on April 26, 2024, 10:29:35
I deal with Rickie in sales and Carl the service / parts man.

I paid them a visit and Carl did me a printout of provisional costings from the list of damage I gave him. I then passed that onto the assessors via email.

I’ve found an unregistered exact make, model and colour at another dealers, which Rickie is going to see if they want to sell to AT, via the Suzuki internal sales network.

If they don’t, then I’ve found a couple of pre-reg ones elsewhere in the country. Rickie can’t do anything about getting the pre-reg ones though.

If I have to go for a pre-reg, I’ve told AT that I’ll buy all my bits (that I can’t take off the out going bike) from them and of course get the bike serviced there.

I need to go up to SBS in Bristol to get replacement kit as well.

Sooner I get back on a bike the better.👍