When I found out that my next assignment was testing the new Insta360 X5 action camera at Arizona’s Inde Motorsports Ranch with Yamaha Champ School, I was immediately ecstatic. I was eager to try out the latest version of a product I’ve been using and enjoying for years. I also was curious about how an already high-performing camera could be further improved.
Yamaha Champ School was the perfect setting for this test. Coaches Chris Peris and Chip Spalding ensure that every student leaves the track with upgraded technique, whether that means adjusting your racing line or refining your body position. A 360-degree camera is the best way to capture the “before and after” so you can go back later and learn from your mistakes.
I’ve been a huge fan since I bought the Insta360 X3 two years ago. The camera worked flawlessly. That might sound like a simple compliment for an electronic device meant solely to capture video. Still, if you’ve owned an action camera before, you probably know the common issues—overheating, freezing, shutting off unexpectedly, failing to record, draining the battery too quickly, or not connecting to the app. During my time with the Insta X3, I never encountered any of these problems, and that reliability helped me capture some of my best riding footage.
This kind of dependability is crucial for someone who uses the camera as a tool for rider development. Throughout the day at the track, I like to experiment with different lines and change my focus between corner entry and exit to see where I can gain time. With the camera capturing all my laps, it becomes the smartest way to solve the puzzle of a racetrack.
One of my favorite features of the Insta360 is the simplicity of editing videos directly in the Insta360 mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android. Editing can be a huge hassle, especially with clunky or complicated software. The Insta360 app is the opposite. It gives you straightforward instructions and easy-to-use presets.
I usually edit from my phone, adjusting the point of view to face the track, the rider next to me (only when I’m passing, haha), or myself in a corner to observe my body position. You can even use an AI preset to automatically select the best angles, focusing on where the most action happens.
The Insta360 X5 has a great form factor thanks to its compact size and versatile mounting options. I typically mount it on the triple clamp, which records a perfect point-of-view (POV) video behind the windscreen while showing the dashboard. This setup also blocks most wind noise, allowing the therapeutic engine sound to take center stage in the audio.
The optional $50 Motorcycle Kit adds more mounting flexibility via two large suction cups and a heavy-duty clamp for the handlebars or passenger footpegs. Add the extendable selfie stick, and you can capture that dynamic, third-person “behind the rider” shot that highlights body movement.
Some riders mount their cameras on their helmets. However, helmets are designed with a round surface for a reason—Arai calls it Glancing Off. We recommend against mounting an action camera on your helmet, especially when safer and effective alternatives are available.
The Insta360 X5 has a Triple AI chip system that enhances video quality with brighter, more vivid colors. Insta360 modestly claims “true-to-life image quality.” When I reviewed my footage, I was amazed by the clarity, even under heavy cloud cover that day.
Additionally, the X5 can connect to motorcycle Bluetooth headsets, including those from Sena and Cardo. This allows gesture control for capturing videos or photos.
For long-distance riders, the X5 has another convenient feature—it automatically deletes the oldest footage once your storage limit is reached, making your ride worry-free. Combine this with the upgraded three-hour battery life—a claimed 37 percent improvement over the X4—and the Insta360 X5 delivers marathon-level performance. It even automatically blurs license plates in your footage to protect privacy.
Whether you’re using it as a rider development tool or as an evidence-collecting device for daily commutes should you encounter a distracted driver, the Insta360 X5 is a valuable accessory for motorcyclists. I came into this review with problem-free ownership of the X3 and experience with the intuitive editing features. With all these improvements, the Insta360 X5 is a riding companion that helps you capture unforgettable memories on two wheels.
We have a promo link for you. Click on it, enter the promo code “Ultimate”, and get a free selfie stick if you buy an Insta360 X5. The supply is limited. If it has run out, let us know.
Insta360 X5 Specs
HARDWARE
- Sensor size: 1/1.28 inches
- Lens focal length: 6mm
- Lens aperture: f/2.0
RECORDING
360° VIDEO RESOLUTION
Video Mode
- 8K: 7680×3840 @ 30/25/24 fps
- 7K+: 5760×2880 @ 30/25/24 fps
- 7K: 5760×2880 @ 60/50/48/30/25/24 fps
- 4K: 3840×1920 @ 120/100/60/50/48/30/25/24 fps
InstaFrame Mode
- 7K+: 30/25/24 fps
- 7K: 30/25/24 fps
- 1080p: 30/25/24 fps
PureVideo
- 8K: 7680×3840 @ 30/25/24fps
- 7K: 30/25/24 fps
- 4K: 30/25/24 fps
SINGLE-LENS VIDEO RESOLUTION
Video Mode
- 4K: 3840×2160 @ 60/50/30/25/24fps
- 7K: 2720×1536 @ 60/50/30/25/24fps
- 1080p: 1920×1080 @ 120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps
FreeFrame Video
- 4K: 3840×3840 @ 30/25/24fps
- 7K: 2720×2720 @6 0/50/30/25/24fps
- 1080p: 1920×1920 @ 60/50/30/25/24fps
Me Mode
- 4K: 3840×2160@30/25/24fps
- 7K: 2720×1536 @ 120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps
- 1080p: 1920×1080 @ 120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps
Still photo resolution: 72MP (11904×5952) or 18MP (5888×2944)
FORMATS
- 360°: INSV Single-Lens: MP4
- Video coding: H.264; H.265
- Maximum video bitrate: 180 Mbps
- Photo: INSP (can export via mobile app or Studio desktop software) and DNG
- Audio format: AAC, 48 kHz, 16bit
VIDEO MODES
360°
- Video (built-in Active HDR)
- PureVideo
- InstaFrame
- Timelapse
- TimeShift
- Bullet Time
- Loop Recording
- Road Mode
Single-Lens
- Video
- Freeframe Video
- Me Mode
- Loop Recording
Photo Modes
- Photo (optional HDR)
- Interval
- Starlapse
- Burst
Audio Modes
- Auto Wind Noise Reduction (two levels)
- Voice Enhancement
- Stereo
- 360° Audio
IMAGE ADJUSTMENTS
- Color profiles: Vivid; Standard; Flat
- Exposure value: ±4 EV
- ISO range: 100–6400
- Shutter speed range: Photo: 1/8000 to 120 seconds; Video: 1/8000 down to the limit of frames per second
- White balance: 2000K to 10000K
Insta360 X5 Price: $550 MSRP
