Tents

[Grumpy Goat]

Probably like starting a tire thread   but, hey ho.. not much else to do eh? 

Hey, a tent thread is far more interesting to me than a tire thread, I can tell you that. Thanks for starting this up. 

So, tents for motocamping   loads of options and a wide price range. This is my take on the topic. 

Initially, I thought, I know, it has to be ultra light, then thought why? a pillion isn't ultra light. And it has to be small, why? a pillion isn't small and more room = more comfort.. 

My thoughts as well ... for motocamping the constraints are similar - but not the same - as for backpacking. On the RS with its BMW panniers and my 47 litre topbox, I am more constrained than with the ADV bike using the same topbox but with larger SW Motech SysBag panniers. This means that presently I am reconfiguring the packing of my luggage, so that is in flux now.

I have a few tents, more than I need but I had to find the right one. I don't use a dome tent, mostly because they don't have a lobby (porch) important here in the UK because even in summer it can rain and sharing the sleeping area with a pile of wet boots, helmet, jacket, trousers and gloves is not my idea of fun.

I have only 2 tents presently, and both are dome tents, but I hear you loud and clear on the need for a good vestibule / porch area. All the motocamping videos I watch are in the UK and Europe (Two Wheel Trips is the latest, even if he is on a KTM) and I follow a couple of backpackers too (Summit or Nothing and Paul Messner being examples). Their setups always make use of vestibules, not only for storage or wet gear, but also for cooking in your typical dreary weather. Camping for me involves cooking a proper meal (that is part of my fun) so a vestibule with space is important.

I like tunnel tents, easy to erect, decent ventilation, plenty of choice with a lobby (porch) and a 2 man tent is plenty big enough for a biker with gear. Downside, they are long, not such an issue on a campsite but when wild camping you need to find an area that will take a 4m long tent plus guy ropes. 

I have looked at tunnel tents but am unlikely to get one for two main reasons - they are long(er) and some have the door on the end (which I dislike), and also they are not free-standing (I don't think), which means you can't erect the tent and then pick it up and move it to a flatter / better spot, or pick it up to shake it out when done camping.

I agree on the need for a 2-man tent for a single motocamper, though. You need that half tent for your gear at a minimum.

I have the Naturehike Mongar 2 tent which is great on its own without the add-on vestibule. It does have 2 doors with small vestibule areas where gear can be stored and where one can cook if needed. The Mongar is a copy of the MSR Hubba Hubba but is more more affordable, which for me is a big plus.

Here are some photos of the Mongar 2 with add-on vestibule.