Wearable body cam to deter bad guys?

[motion]

Final preparations before my ride thru Russia and nearby environs...

What do you guys think of wearing an obvious-looking body camera, clipped to my jacket perhaps, to deter cops, customs officials, etc from taking advantage of the American on the fancy motorcycle? I believe cameras have done a lot to stamp out this kind of behavior, but they still know where to conduct transactions out of view of fixed cameras. I'm thinking this might be a good deterrent.

On the flip-side, I don't want to invite bad attitudes or scrutiny. I suppose in some of these countries, it would be impossible to avoid scrutiny.

Russians are well aware of dash cams as an ordinary part of everyday life.

Thoughts?

[Eric Coffey]

I'd probably go with a VERY obvious solution, like a chin-mount GoPro or similar. Maybe even a second unit on a QD mount for the bike.
Something that can be seen far enough away to deter a stop/confrontation in the first place. YMMV...

[Gretch]

they will just steal it, as well as everything else you have.

[greglepore]

I think it likely creates more problems than it solves.

[stomachmonkey]

Go Pro on top of the helmet.

Common enough to not raise flags.

[mreid]

Helmet cam.

Oh, and if you are in St. Petersburg would you mind picking up this hat for me? The wife and I were there last year and she gave me the look before I could buy it and I want it!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Gretch

they will just steal it, as well as everything else you have.

Yeah, recording them stealing your camera won’t be very helpful.

[GH85Carrera]

Or the KGB arrests you for spying for the CIA.

[Jeff Higgins]

I'm sorry, but to me, that would only provoke them. Even if you had footage of being mistreated, what would you do with it?

[recycled sixtie]

I think a Gopro camera on your helmet is pretty wacky. One mounted on your motorbike is more appropriate. A hidden one might get you in trouble. There is always a risk of theft of something when you travel so I think it is important to minimize carrying too much of value.

Perhaps you could be in touch with Russian motorcyclists that live there could give you advice? I have total admiration for you Richard to do what you do and go to places that 99% of us would not consider. Are you travelling alone?

[Rick Lee]

Just bring cash for bribes instead. I had to do it in Ukraine and Belarus. It was 25 yrs. ago, but I knew ahead of time we'd have to do it. So we brought cash and lots of cigarettes. It worked too.

[speeder]

I got an early lesson from parents before traveling to Central America in Junior HS. They explained that the countries I was about to travel to did not share laws w the USA and that officials in these places could basically do whatever they wanted.

It was in reference to my long hair at the time, (and cutting it before the trip). I just could not understand how anyone could legally tell me how to wear my hair. They told me that they could cut it at the border if they wanted. I had it chopped.

Point being, they can take your camera and throw it in the trash right in front of you. There is no US constitution or anything similar and as a bonus, our relationship w Russia is at an almost all-time low. I totally understand the sentiment behind your idea but I’d just lay low and blend in as you always do as a seasoned traveler. If some particular place seems too dicey at the moment, I would not go there.

[Holger]

So, you have a go-pro thats records something ... then they take it away from you ... what now?

[Roswell]

Russia?

[motion]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Just bring cash for bribes instead. I had to do it in Ukraine and Belarus. It was 25 yrs. ago, but I knew ahead of time we'd have to do it. So we brought cash and lots of cigarettes. It worked too.

I'm going to try bringing cigs this trip. Marlboros?

[motion]

Originally Posted by speeder

I got an early lesson from parents before traveling to Central America in Junior HS. They explained that the countries I was about to travel to did not share laws w the USA and that officials in these places could basically do whatever they wanted.

It was in reference to my long hair at the time, (and cutting it before the trip). I just could not understand how anyone could legally tell me how to wear my hair. They told me that they could cut it at the border if they wanted. I had it chopped.

Point being, they can take your camera and throw it in the trash right in front of you. There is no US constitution or anything similar and as a bonus, our relationship w Russia is at an almost all-time low. I totally understand the sentiment behind your idea but I’d just lay low and blend in as you always do as a seasoned traveler. If some particular place seems too dicey at the moment, I would not go there.

Yes, they can take the camera from me... I'm prepared for that. I've been in trouble before taking photos of officials, but they calm down when I delete the photos in front of them. Yes, this is a good time to lay low in that part of the world.

[motion]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I think a Gopro camera on your helmet is pretty wacky. One mounted on your motorbike is more appropriate. A hidden one might get you in trouble. There is always a risk of theft of something when you travel so I think it is important to minimize carrying too much of value.

Perhaps you could be in touch with Russian motorcyclists that live there could give you advice? I have total admiration for you Richard to do what you do and go to places that 99% of us would not consider. Are you travelling alone?

I was supposed to go solo on this trip, but I mentioned the trip to a buddy a couple weeks ago, and he is now all-in. He bought a new Africa Twin 1000 yesterday and will be flying it to Germany, then meeting me in Kiev for the ride.

[motion]

Originally Posted by mreid

Helmet cam.

Oh, and if you are in St. Petersburg would you mind picking up this hat for me? The wife and I were there last year and she gave me the look before I could buy it and I want it!

I'll bet you can get one on Ebay!