Camping and motorcycling quite logically go hand in hand. Both bring some freedom to the places visited. A spirit of adventure. Also a proximity to nature.
Yet, joining the two requires some concessions. Because here there is no question of falling into extremes, by putting a trailer on the motorcycle or doing ultra light bivouacs.
Selection criteria
The values of the criteria listed in the following are to be adapted to the motorcycle, the trip and the preferences of the biker, but they are all to be considered before choosing the right shelter. At the end of the article, a table compares the characteristics of tents sold in 2020.
Dimensions
The motorcycles are homologated for two seats. The number of places in the tent can be higher to be able to store the belongings in the shelter and gain a little comfort. A two- or three-seater tent, with a bedroom 1.2 to 1.6m wide is enough.In order to be able to sit properly in the shelter, it is more pleasant to have at least 1m high inside.
From my point of view, one of the essential qualities of the biker’s tent is its compactness once folded. All tents that are set up in 2 seconds (also called disposable tents… a bad omen) are out of the game: they bend in the form of disproportionate circles.For others, it is possible to attach a fairly long bag on the back saddle, or above the panniers. But these places are exposed to theft and friction. So let’s assume that the folded length must be 50 cm maximum to store the tent in the luggage.
This automatically excludes certain categories. Starting with the emblematic tent of Australian backpackers : the swag. Sold at tentworld and bcf, it is more than a tunnel tent, since you roll the tent together with your mattress and possibly leaving the sleeping bag there. The swag is therefore mounted and disassembled almost instantly. It is small and usually green or brown, a guarantee of discretion in nature. Its price is comparable to other tents. But as the Snowys website suggests, its big flaw is its folded size: it is at least the width of the open swag. Even for a single-seater model, too small to sleep with a backpack at its side, this width is of the order of a meter.
Very rare are the machines equipped with a high sissy bar (passenger back rest bar) like Captain America, from Easy Rider, where it is possible to strap such a tent. Bikers therefore choose to store their swag across the road, on the passenger saddle. He then protrudes from the bike (an Electra Glide is 86 cm wide). I find that this generates too much wind grip and hinders maneuvers.Some models of swag are studied for motorcycle or bicycle, but they require to fold their elements separately as for a traditional tent. We lose the interest of swag.
For the same reasons of folded clutter, the combinations of a tent and a cot (or stretcher) are not suitable for a road trip. Convenient for wet or stony soils, many are anyway only troubleshooting solutions because cold air can circulate underneath and the tent, small and single-walled, will be sensitive to condensation.
Sealing
On a short hike, it is possible to select a date when the weather is suitable. But over long periods of time this is no longer an option. Especially when the date of the plane tickets prevents changing the agenda.
No need to provide a four-season model that supports snow: they are less well ventilated, and ride a motorcycle on snow… who wants to go far (in his road trip) spares his mount.
For rain, on the other hand, a heavy downpour can always fall in the middle of the night. However, many major manufacturers (MSR, Big Agnès) do not hesitate to cut back on waterproofing to offer lighter models.
Several sites (smart hiking, hardloop…) mention that the roof must support a 2000mm water column (Schmerber scale) to withstand heavy rain. A parenthesis concerning silicone coated fabrics, lighter and waterproof than polyurethane coatings: they fall to shreds after a few years and distended when wet. They can then come to touch the inner canvas, allowing moisture to bead. The floor of the tent must also be waterproof to water that can infiltrate under the tent. This sealing is superior to that of the roof because the camper’s knees exert a lot of pressure on the canvas and the soggy ground as it moves. Let’s start on a floor seal of 5000mm. Note that a tarp under the tent can possibly reinforce a floor canvas that is too permeable.
Beyond the canvas, the quality of the seams and closures is also important. The bad testimonials that can be found on the forums concern models in all ranges. It is therefore a risk: it will be necessary to seal with strips or special products in case of leakage.
The structure
The shape of the structure made me doubt a lot…
For more robustness, to save weight and optimize the volume of the chamber, high-end tents have arches formed of several poles connected by hubs. This solution bothers me because the connectors are not standard and therefore impossible to find in spare parts. Even for the after-sales service it seems difficult. Simple hoops are preferred.
These hoops must be resistant, flexible to withstand the wind, and simple to repair even in the middle of nowhere.
The Fiberglass used on the first prices is not strong enough and difficult to repair. The carbon fiber, used by Easton has the advantage of being very light but rather expensive and too little widespread to easily obtain enough to repair it. Aluminum hoops offer the best compromise. DAC poles equip a large number of models, followed by Yunan.
A point about architecture: personally, mimicking a mole to get in and out of my shelter doesn’t amuse me for long. I therefore prefer the entrances on the sides, even if the tent is then more sensitive to the wind when it is opened.
Self-supporting, semi-load-bearing or tunnel? Tunnel tents, simpler with their arches made of a single strand, are often lighter. They probably have better durability and repair easily.But usually they are lower, slower to climb and especially do not stand alone: it is necessary to adjust their stays.
Other criteria
To attach the canvas to the structure, two solutions are used: pass the arches through sheaths of the canvas, or use hooks sewn to straps. I prefer to use hooks because a broken hoop can tear not only its sheath but also part of the canvas. For their part, the straps of the hooks can unravel, but it is possible to resume sewing.
Many double-walled tents are set up in three stages. First the arches, then the bedroom, then the double roof. The disadvantage is that in case of rain the chamber takes the water during the time of assembly.
Salewa and Vaude offer models whose detachable room is attached to the double roof: everything is mounted together, faster and keeping the room dry.
The color of the canvases is important. First, because insects are attracted to bright colors. And also because neutral colors, brown, green or gray disappear better in a landscape that belongs to everyone.
At the junction of worlds
Some tents are designed for the biker. Abel Brown’s Nomad Tent for example. I think the idea is very good. An aluminum plate prevents the motorcycle’s crutch from sinking under the traction of the tent. Of sufficient size (210 x 100cm), it is a little low (90cm). It is only a single-wall tent, but this allows it to be very compact when folded (31 x 15.5 x 15.5 cm). On the other hand, it can not be used without the motorcycle that serves as its structure and it is better to wait until the engine and the pots are cold before securing it.
Another option is to put the bike in the tent. Redverz and Lone rider offer rather expensive models (nearly 500 €). The Nordkap Avesta is a similar entry-level model whose finish seems to be perfectible. In between, the Vango Galaxy 300 has a sprocket entry that complicates the bike’s maneuvers. These tents have the disadvantage of being high, therefore exposed to the wind and not very discreet. In fact, given the cost/weight/size mix of the shelter they are especially useful for bikers who want to tinker on their machine away from the elements.
Comparison of tent models in 2020
| Decathlon Dome trek 500 3P | Decathlon Tunnel trekking 900 3P | Decathlon Dome trek 900 3P | Msr Mutha Hubba NX | Msr Elixir 3 | Msr FreeLite 3 | SAMAYA 2.5 | Salewa Comfort litetrek III | Salewa Sierra leone III | Salewa Denali III | Camp Minimum 3 SL | Camp Minimum 3 pro | Ferrino Lightent 3 (basic) | Vaude Taurus 3 comfort | Vaude Space seamless L 3P | Vaude Space L 3P | Vaude Power Lizard 2/3 | Vaude Mark L 3P | Vaude Mark UL 3P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larg.room (m) | 1,8 | 1,4-1,8 | 1,6-1,85 | 1,72 | 1,72 | 1,72 | 1,05-2,10 | 1,65 | 1,8 | 1,8 | >1.8 | 1,6 | 1,5-1,6 | 1,4-1,65 | 1,65 | 1,65 | 1,4-1,5 | 1,65 | 1,65 |
| High.room (m) | 1,15 | 0,9 | 1,15 | 1,1 | 1 | 0,9 | 1,15 | 1 | 1 | 1,05 | 1,05 | 0,9 | 1,05-1,1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,05 | 1 |
| Long folded (cm) | 39×18 | 40×17 | 39×16 | 53×17 | 51×20 | 46×15 | 23×19 | 40×20 | 40×23 | 58×20 | 37×17 | 50×20 | 40×18 | 55×20 | 46×19 | 50×25 | 45×16 | 55×25 | 52×17 |
| Roof sealing | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 1200 | 1500 | 1200 | 20000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 2000 | 2000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Floor sealing | 5000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 1200 | 20000 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 | 8000 | 5000 | 3000 | 7000 | 3000 | 7000 | 10000 |
| Coating (PolyUrethane or Silicone) | Pu | Pu | Pu | PU and S | Pu | PU and S | Pu | Pu | Pu | Pu | Pu | ? | Pu | Pu | S | PU and S | S | S | S |
| # of entries on the sides | 2 | 0 (1 at the end) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | >1 | 0 (1 at the end) | 0 (2 at the end) | 2 | 0 (1 at the end) | 2 | 1 | 0 (1 at the end) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 (1 at the end) | 0 (1 at the end) |
| Free | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Semi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Semi | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (kg) | 3,55 | 2,3 | 2,7 | 2,26 | 3,19 | 1,56 | 1,66 | 2,9 | 3,62 | 3,43 | 2,1 | 2,4 | 2,48 | 2,75 | 2,2 | 3,34 | 1,69 | 3,3 | 2,9 |
| Roof resistance | 75 | 20 | 75 | 20 | 68 | 15 | 20 | 50 | 50 | 68 | 30 | 30 | 70 | 75 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 40 | 40 |
| Resistance chamber – floors | 66-75 | ?-40 | 66-75 | 20-30 | 20-70 | 10-15 | 20-30 | 20-70 | 20-70 | ?-70 | ?-70 | ?-70 | ?-70 | 68-70 | 15-30 | 30-70 | 15-30 | 40-70 | 40-40 |
| Material of the hoops | Alu | Alu | Alu | Alu DAC NSL | Alu | Composite | Alu DAC NFL | Alu | Alu | Alu | Alu | Alu | “?Duralium” | Alu | Alu DAC NFL | Alu DAC | Alu DAC NSL | Alu DAC | Alu DAC |
| Roll bars without fitting | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Hoops available. in after-sales service | 26€ | ? | No | ? | ? | ? | ? | No | No | No | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Tested with wind (km/h) | 70 | 70 | 65 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 90 | 100 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | “Very resistant” | “Very resistant” |
| Separable roof of the room | ? | ? | Yes, mounted together | Yes | Yes, mounted together | Yes, mounted together | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes, mounted together | Yes, mounted together | Yes, mounted together | Yes, mounted together | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hooks or Sheaths | F | F | C | C | C | C | F | C+F | C+F | F+C | F | C | F | F | F | F | C | C | C |
| # of seasons | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Colour | Orange | Grey | Grey | Green and red | Green and red | Green and red | Bright blue | Grey | Grey | Pale green | Pale green | Grey green | Forest green | Pale green | Pale green | Pale green | Green | Pale green | Green |
| Price (Eur) | 140 | 250 | 250 | 518 | 328 | 539 | 979 | 295 | 325 | 280 | 289 | 400 | 249 | 239 | 800 | 420 | 575 | 450 | 650 |