[Kahrin]

My dad recently got his new bike (KTM Super Duke 1200 R) and I want to get him a drone for Christmas. With there being so many options out there I was wondering if anyone here has one or recommends one. He wants one with the "auto follow" option but that didn't really narrow my selection.

Any suggestions?

 

[CoolDaddyGroove]

I don't think any drone is capable of auto following a target at highway speeds. I've seen cyclists with one following them, but they might average 30-40km/h

 

[the bartender]

Legally can't do that on public roads.

 

[Squint]

The Airdog may work for you, claimed top speed something like 70kph. I haven't used one so no personal experience.*

The success of this will depend a lot on what exactly you're looking for; if you want to attempt follow on a curving path, you run a big risk of crashing the drone as not many have obstacle avoidance. You will also have to look closely at Transport Canada's regs, as there are many many places you can't legally fly a UAV.

I know the internet is chock-full of drone footage, much of it is not legal or permissible in the jurisdiction that it is shot and as more of these things get in the air there will be more enforcement. *

 

[Kahrin]

i think he wants it for more zoomed out shots of him riding. Wouldn't be for long distance or high speed stuff. Just the fancy picture of the bike or scenic shots when hes travelling.

 

[CHIA]

From most I have read, which isn't a ton, that tech for faster moving and challenging scenarios is not here yet.

The systems that appear to work for slower stuff, surfing, skiing, skating, etc, are $$$$.

How much do you expect to spend on this setup, approx?

I'd not trust a system that was not 110% proven by the masses under many varying conditions, speeds and landscapes
with a motorcycle.....it's not like you can monitor or see what's happening while you ride, it needs to be something you
can trust unconditionally......don't think that's an option yet.

 

[the bartender]

They do give you an awesome perspective on familiar roads (highway 20 in this case)

View attachment 141345

 

[doser]

Scott, given the context of the OP's question, and your perspective shot, it WOULD be pretty cool to have a drone follow a biker down the hill past Liberty Bell and around the big sweeper at the bottom, wouldn't it. you wouldn't have to follow exactly ( couldn't match the motorcycle's speed), but you could get up high ( like your shot), and cut the corner. it'd take a pilot / photographer independent from the rider, not just a 'follow-drone'...

 

[syncro]

Scott, given the context of the OP's question, and your perspective shot, it WOULD be pretty cool to have a drone follow a biker down the hill past Liberty Bell and around the big sweeper at the bottom, wouldn't it. you wouldn't have to follow exactly ( couldn't match the motorcycle's speed), but you could get up high ( like your shot), and cut the corner. it'd take a pilot / photographer independent from the rider, not just a 'follow-drone'...

If i hit the lottery the first thing I'd get after breast implants would be a drone.

I think for group rides where the drone pilot rides ahead and then gets shots of the group at strategic spots would be awesome and would add to the experience afterwards.

 

[the bartender]

Scott, given the context of the OP's question, and your perspective shot, it WOULD be pretty cool to have a drone follow a biker down the hill past Liberty Bell and around the big sweeper at the bottom, wouldn't it. you wouldn't have to follow exactly ( couldn't match the motorcycle's speed), but you could get up high ( like your shot), and cut the corner. it'd take a pilot / photographer independent from the rider, not just a 'follow-drone'...

A static drone that the camera tracks the rider is definitely not an issue. That's more or less the reason I bought mine. But a moving drone that follows someone at speed, is a whole other can of worms.

I'll also use mine for static road side scenery shots (to get the power lines and fences out of every shot I take).

 

[heisenberg9]

Bartender that photo is awesome! Thanks for posting.

 

[malamikigo]

I have a DJI Mavic Pro. It can follow a subject, but not at motorbike type speeds, and over a roadway with other vehicles around it's not really considered legal (in Canada). It would be better for following a bike when stationary. Get it up high enough mid-corner overtop of a sweeper and it can follow a biker just by rotating. Basically what The Bartender described.

Lots of drones can do this, but the more advanced ones have other features.....gimbal stabilization, 4k video, etc. If you want something entry level but still quite capable, check out the DJI Spark.