Tent recommendation

[Sly]

Good morning all!

The Mrs & I are looking to start camping from our 1250 GSA. We've camped before from our Jimny but first time on a bike.

Are there any "go-to" tents or "standard recommendations" for a 2/3 man tent? Be nice to have some cover outside the sleeping area for bags and boxes to sit - sheltered from the elements.

I see Lone Rider tent has the ability to park the bike in the "front" but think that's a bit lol

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Smaller 3 man and Tarp for sitting under

 

[TIJ650]

Decide how many to accommodate and always add 1. I have an MSR tent and been very happy - although there are better ones.
Think tent quality is DIRECTLY proportional to price. Udders is probably your man to ask.
@Udders

 

[Sly]

Smaller 3 man and Tarp for sitting under

Any brand recommendations or just go-outdoor and whatever's cheapest?

 

[Smithmas]

I have a Kyham Biker Plus tent available if interested. On the larger side but lots of space and a cover vestibule area.

 

[Davey B]

Over the last several weeks, we kept bumping into a welsh feller and his wife while driving around Northern Norway, they had their 1990 GS piled high but its meagre horsepower managed find...they had a Redverz tent. He swore by it for moto camping and due to the standing height and space, I got it. (Maybe put a wanted ad on here, always bods selling kit...and as if by magic...^)
I'd not try to save a pound or two in weight when the overall load will be c 200kg, nothing worse on a damp morning than trying to get bike kit on while laid out in a tight tent.

Redverz Atacama Expedition Motorcycle Tent Green

Purpose-built motorcycle expedition tent. Fits a full-size adventure tourer with panniers. 4000mm fly, 10,000mm floor. Sets up solo in under 5 minutes.

redverz.com

 

[snelly]

I think a lot depends on how long you intend to be away for to be honest; we used various tents over the years all over Europe; but for a fortnight at the TT it had to be something to stand up in;; i would be looking at the Redverz or something along that line. I've always found Vango to be a good çompremise between price and quality and i've had a few over the years an eqinox 350 tbs being my favourite; although you could'nt fully stand in it you could stoop enough to get yer keks on in the morning. My current go to tent is a wild country zyphros 3 which is tall enough to stand in; has enough space in the vestibule for 2 people to sit in or even cook if need be; weighs in at under 4 kilos; and packs down small. The problem is you can't buy the anymore; although tbe wild country helm range are worth a look also. Get on the tube and check them out. The kids call it my fairey tent because of the shape

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Any brand recommendations or just go-outdoor and whatever's cheapest?

Buy the best you can afford
I have a Vaude Ultra Light 3

 

[Udders]

1.What’s your tent budget?
2. Where you going with it? #
3. Just the two of you + kit + somewhere dry to sit?
4. Weight capacity?
5. Tarp?
6. Standing room or happy crouching? ( #2 dependant )
7. Snug or roomy?
8. Tunnel, dome or teepee?
9. Pack size?

#2 & 6…… if you’re going somewhere that could be exposed / stormy then you really don’t want a tent tall enough to stand in because it will get battered / broken in high winds and rain. A lower stronger tent would be needed. Saying that, a good, strong, high quality teepee tent, that’s tall enough to stand in can be exceptionally good in high winds. They are very easy to put up but there’s usually a weight penalty and not easy to add a tarp to.

I would definitely recommend a Hilleberg ( I have 4! ) but they’re blooming expensive but will withstand nearly everything nature can throw at them.

The bike garage type tents that you can stand up in are great in mostly calm conditions but throw some decent wind at them and they can become an issue. Trust me, I’ve had the 2 main types you can get. Unless you add extra guy lines to them then you’ll have problems in high blustery winds. Before those that have them start spitting dummies out I did say in most calm / light winds they are great.

Budget is the biggest thing. Buy the best you can afford. If you buy a Hilleberg, for example then you will always get the majority of your money back when you come to sell it in a few years. They tend to hold their price because of the quality.

Give us a bit more info and we can narrow the choice down a bit.
What other kit do you already have? Airbeds, lights, cooking equipment, sleeping bags etc……

DON’T skimp on good quality airbeds either. They can make a MASSIVE difference as to whether you have a good nights sleep or not. Having a crap air bed can ruin a holiday. Also I’d definitely recommend NOT having a double airbed. Get two singles.

 

[Fluffmeister]

I love my camping gin palace, Redverz Atacama. The "Garage" has never had a bike inside it, but is a great storage area for gear and a good social space if the weather is shite. There's a lot to be said for being able to stand up in your tent. It's a big pack size, and 6KG, but acres of space, easy to get up and down even solo, and despite the large pack size, I can fit it, along with a load of other gear in my Motech SW-350 drybag.

 

[JonnyBravo]

The venerable Vango Omega 350
Great size for two
Lots of space for luggage storage.
Stands up very well to strong winds.
Relatively small and light when packed.
A lot of bang for the buck

 

[snelly]

The venerable Vango Omega 350
Great size for two
Lots of space for luggage storage.
Stands up very well to strong winds.
Relatively small and light when packed.
A lot of bang for the buck

I think this is the tent that replaced the Eqinox 350 i used to have and i can agree with the bomb proof quote; mine was one of a handfull of tents left standing after 2 days of consistent storms at peel one year; not a drop got through and not a sign of damage anywhere; the internal tbs straps earned their keep that year.

 

[Pale Rider]

I have a Khyam igloo 2 and it’s very good, a little on the large side for touring alone as i do but perfect for 2 people with luggage etc. Prior to this i had a Khyam Brecon dating back to 94 I think it was but it’s recently started to become slightly porous shall we say.

On a side note i was camping last week and watched some bloke struggling to put his MSR all singing all dancing tent up in the rain, oh dear what a total ball ache!! Took him ages with it’s separate inner and outer.

 

[Udders]

I have a Khyam igloo 2 and it’s very good, a little on the large side for touring alone as i do but perfect for 2 people with luggage etc. Prior to this i had a Khyam Brecon dating back to 94 I think it was but it’s recently started to become slightly porous shall we say.

On a side note i was camping last week and watched some bloke struggling to put his MSR all singing all dancing tent up in the rain, oh dear what a total ball ache!! Took him ages with it’s separate inner and outer.

Yeah, good point, I’d forgotten about that.
Inner first, outer first or both together.
Each type has their benefits and disadvantages.
Then you have the footprint options. I have the footprints for all 4 of my Hillebergs to help protect the tent floor. Making sure there are no sharp stones or sticks where you pitch can be important too. You don’t want the bathtub floor getting punctured.

 

[snelly]

I have a Khyam igloo 2 and it’s very good, a little on the large side for touring alone as i do but perfect for 2 people with luggage etc. Prior to this i had a Khyam Brecon dating back to 94 I think it was but it’s recently started to become slightly porous shall we say.

On a side note i was camping last week and watched some bloke struggling to put his MSR all singing all dancing tent up in the rain, oh dear what a total ball ache!! Took him ages with it’s separate inner and outer.

I can't think of a single reason for not having pitch in one to be honest; no doubt someone will give we one on here.

 

[Udders]

The inner first tents tend to be bigger for the pack size and you can peg them down a bit tighter. The downside is that if it’s pissing down the inner gets soaked and remains quite vulnerable to the wind until the outer is on and pegged down.
Outer and both together can, more often than not, be freestanding so once put up you can lift the whole thing up and plonk it down in a more favourable position.

 

[Doc]

Khyam biker. Used Khyam for many years. Not sure if they still make them.

 

[NeilDD]

Khyam biker. Used Khyam for many years. Not sure if they still make them.

I think Khyam died finally last year Chris

 

[Doc]

I think Khyam died finally last year Chris

That's a shame. Great tents.
Wonder why as I see loads on the bike rally scene.

 

[Udders]

I think Khyam died finally last year Chris

Really? They seem to still be trading and have a £100 price reduction on the Biker Plus right now?

Khyam Quick Erect Biker Plus Special Edition

The Biker Plus Special Edition tent is a leader in Motorbiking tents, due to its small pack size but cavernous interior, complete with sewn-in groundsheet

khyam.co.uk

Great tents as I previously said but 10kgs without a footprint is blooming heavy!