I'm looking for a good one man tent for my upcoming trip. A good compact setup that'll hold up OK and not break the bank. Any recommendations? Any suggestions for motorcycle camping? (i've never done it)

If anyone knows a good two person tent I would be intrested as well.

Check with twisted throttle. They have a 1 or 2 man tent that does not have poles it just uses inflatable beams. I have not seen 1 up close, but have future plans to get it. I have traveled from Fl to Montana 2 years ago and had a tent with poles. It was a small 1, but kinda sucked. The 1 at twisted looks like it would pack away in a small space. Also before you head out set it up and hit it with some camp dry from Walmart.

I looked up the price from the 1 on twisted throttle. The one listed with no poles is over $400 FYI. They seem nice and small and can be packed any place, but the price is too much for me.

wow the tents look really cool but $430 is a bit much for me

For solo trips I use a North Face Canyonlands, 1.5 person, so room for me and my gear. Fairly lightweight and is pretty small.

For two I use a Noth Face Slickrock. The poles are a bit longer when folded and I need to stow them on the outside of my bags.

I also use Tyvek House wrap for a ground cloth for both, which saves space and weight.

Both these tents have seen many nights in the woods and are holding up great, still waterproof with no leaks. Not sure if they are still available though. But you can't go wrong with a good quality tent.

Want smaller and lighter, try a Hennessy Hammock. I love mine, best nights sleep you will have while camping. But tree hangers have thier drawbacks, they sleep cold and uh, require trees.

Also reccommend the Neo-air sleeping pad by Thermarest, it is the lightest and smallest pad I have ever used, and it has proven to be the most comfortable. Expensive, but IMHO, it's was worth every penny.

Mike

I wouldn't buy camping equipment from a motorcycle accessories shop. Look for an outdoors shop, one that caters to hikers and canoeists. Those two groups need equipment that is small and light but also strong, because an equipment failure out in the bush can be a real drag (as well as dangerous). I camp a lot every summer, both on road trips and canoe trips, and I own several tents to accomodate different size groups.

In your search you should be looking for a 3-season tent with plenty of mesh to allow breezes through. (Four season tents are for mountaineering and winter camping: the walls have less venting and the structures are heavier duty to withstand snow-loads, all unnecessary and undesireable while road tripping on a bike.) Try and find a floorplan so you're sure that the tent is long and wide enough for your needs. A vesibule is nice for placing your boots and such outside the tent but still covered from the elements. And whatever you do, don't buy a tent without poles (unless it's a hammock tent), that's just a dumb idea. Heavy rains or winds will colapse that thing right down on your head and you'll be wet and miserable all night, maybe even cold which can be dangerous.:badidea:

Another good piece of equipment is a self inflating camping mattress, like the ones made by Thermarest. They are much more comfortable than a regular air mattress. You don't roll around as much.

Google Mountain Equipment Co-op for an example of a good outdoors store (sorry, I don't know how to make those nifty computer links).

Edit: I just read WW comments above and agree with everything he said. The brand name on the tent can be indicative of whether it's a good choice: North Face, MSR, Eureka. They all make good outdoors gear.

Try campmor.com they have good tents. I use the Kelty Teton 2. I also have a big Agnes sleep pad, basically a heavy duty pool raft that packs down to grapefruit size.

I talked to some hikers and bikers before looking for a tent. The most common advice was to make sure you had a tent large enough for you and your gear. You want to keep your gear dry and safe. So look for a 1.5 to 2 person tent. Also make sure you have some type of drop cloth to put under it. I think Road Bike has an article about camping in the June issue. I know that Road Runner also did a piece on tents over the winter.

The reviews look good and the price looks great:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wenzel-Lone-Elk-6.5-x-4-Tent-Blue-and-Gold/13228643?wmlspartner=GPA&sourceid=44444444440360970567#ShortReviewTitleBar

I would not recommend the 1 man "bivy" style as it is just to small. Actually the 9' x 8' Walmart tent packs reasonably small and goes up easy (bought on a trip to replace a bivy) with sealed seams. Was in a rain shower with it and stayed dry; don't know how it will do in a real storm?? $35 anywhere in the US.

This might be helpful, check out (BackPacking.Net) for lite weight camping gear.

Also, on Craigslist I found some good deals on new tents. I just search backpacking in the sporting goods, the Bay Area. California that is.

From Craigslist: Sporting:
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 SUPERLIGHT Tent Jerry 408-834-8427 $199 - $199 (san jose north)

sale-twepd-1750106333@craigslist.org

If I was in the market I'd take a look at this Marmot Limelight 3 at rei.com http://www.rei.com/product/779020 It's on sale through May 31st. Has everything I'd look for including a full rain fly all the way down, vestibule and aluminum poles. It even comes with the footprint which is nice. Weighs about 6 pounds and packs to 22 inches long which may be a little long. I have a Moss tent which is no longer manufactured that I like because it packs short.

The Big Agnes tents seem to be great and are also on sale at REI although you're paying a premium for how ultralight they are. Probably 2-3 pounds isn't a huge deal on a motorcycle but is for backpacking!

I have a North Face Madraque 23 (http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=70206&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11750&variationId=2LT). It could fit 2 people plus gear, and folds up small enough to go across my back seat and not stick past the saddle bags. Easy to set up, and works great.

This sort of applies to the thread. Kind of a semi-hijack.

Get an RV with a motorcycle bumper. Go to places where you want to do day loops and avoid the Iron Butt situation.

Somehow, testing my ultimate physical endurance removes the romance I expect from motorcycling. I acknowledge and accept the limitations of my 62 years. I also realize I'm not the "serious" motorcyclist that some are, but I sleep well and warm every night, and rise fresh to the joy of riding every morning.

The ideal??? A Sportsmobile camper built on a 4x4 E-350 Ford van comes to mind. Not mine yet, but soon will be. The build takes up to 6 months.

On topic? a couple of surplus ponchos and some rope. Can't get much lighter, cheaper, and compact than that.

V-Zee

Here is where I buy my motorcycle camping gear.
Also, discount code available via advrider.com

http://www.fullthrottlecamping.com (http://www.fullthrottlecamping.com/)

Having been to USAF survival school...there's alot to say for a poncho with some 550 chord. Not really what I want though. thanks for all the good suggestions!

Good Luck with it, Dave. Sorry I couldn't give better advice.

V-Zee

Good Luck with it, Dave. Sorry I couldn't give better advice.

V-Zee

Check this out. Might be of some help.http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/motorcycle_camping.htm

:cheers:

I was researching tents and camping gear on Advrider recently and here are some tips i picked up:

- Don't get a one-person, minimalist, hiker tent. Even a two person tents are small for average size human and gear. Ideally - a two person tent + vestibule.
- Don't worry to much about weight and size. The bike is strong enough to carry it and it seems that 1-2kg lighter will cost 100-200$ more.
- Those who try hammocks never look back.


I'm also a complete newb to camping gear and still searching for the right setup.
Here are some random bookmarks that may be useful to some:

http://shop.eurekaeurope.com/products/productdetail/part_number=10E110-SF-DUO/1329.0.4.10
http://cascadedesigns.com/SealLine
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=11
http://hennessyhammock.com/
http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html
http://www.nemoequipment.com/nemo09-gogo-tent
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/index.html
http://www.junglehammock.com/index.php

Hey CropDuster,

+1 to WV76X for directing you to visit REI www.rei.com. I searched online and, to the best of my knowledge, REI is the store most similar to our top of the line camping/hiking/canoeing store in Canada, MEC www.mec.ca. I also agree with most of the other people about going for a tent >1 person.... through my many camping experiences, I've learned that a 1 man tent usually can fit 1 small child and no gear.

My fiance and I hiked the West Coast Trail in British Columbia last year (75 km; 6 days, 5 nights) and stayed in a 2 man tent. With our 2 full hiking backpacks, it was pretty tight. For biking solo, a 2 man tent would probably be a good choice, granted you don't have a huge pile of gear/equipment with you.

Great advice and input from everyone!

I picked up a Coleman Dakota 1 tent and it has work pretty well for me, it packs up to a good compact sized and for $80 bucks it gets the job done. I dont thing they make it anymore but when I searched Colemans site I came across the Coleman Exponent Kraz X1 whichs looks to be the same thing just different stylings.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000000451&categoryid=11070&brand=

As said before, I would aim for 1 size larger in tents. So, for 1 person, get a two man, for two people, get a three man.

I personally just got a Marmot 3man, haven't had a chance to use it yet. My brother also picked up a Mountain Hardwear 2 man.

Something to note when packing: you might find it easier to pack the poles/stakes seperate from the tent/rain fly/ground cover. You could easily through the last three into a compression bag or two to pack it down as small as possible, then pack the poles somewhere separate.

There's one thing I haven't seen anyone bring up: HEIGHT! If/ when you have to gear up in your tent due rain, you'll end up straining your back if the internal height is too low. I figure 54" is the MINIMUM, and I agree with all the guys who say to go 1 size bigger. Here're 2 pics of my 3 man ASOLO Ptarmigan I used for my 31 day Alaska trip last summer. It has a vestibule, and enough room to bring ALL my gear inside at night, and packs down to a 25"L x 6"D pack, and IS 54" high inside. Takes about 5 minutes to put up when it's raining and you're in a "bit" of a hurry, and cost about $300 in Canada. :goodluck:
I use a 6' x 8' tarp from Harbor Freight under as a ground-sheet.

REI Camp Dome 2 $99. Found mine for half that on craigslist. Harbor Freight tarp for ground cloth.
Thermarest. I like the short one about 1 1/2 inch thick,
craigslist $15.
Just got a Coleman air mattress $22 and pump $15 that I plan on trying out. Guess I'm getting older!

If you want ultralight and compact, it is worth kicking around here a bit as you research: hammock forum (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/)

OK....got some good feedback on tents. NOW...on to SLEEPING BAGS

go

OK....got some good feedback on tents. NOW...on to SLEEPING BAGS

go

I have a "warm weather" bag. It is rated for above 20 degrees, but I have never tested it anywhere near that. My bag is the North Face Scorpio (http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-sleeping-bags-filter-category-warm-weather-above-20-f/scorpio.html). It is a mummy bag that packs pretty darn small.
I have a small duffle that I put my tent, sleeping bag, air mattress and other extras in. I put the duffle across the rear seat.

I saw an ad for a real cool one with a garage attached for the scoot....
http://nomadtent.com/press_details.html

Another word on Hammocks - While I think it is the best nights sleep you can have in the woods... like I said they sleep cold, but there are ways around that. There is no storage for any gear, except under the fly, which is minimal at best. Incredibly lightweight and take up very little room. They are a bugger to get situated in the sleeping bag.

I carry a ultralight tarp also, 8X10 made of sil nylon, packs about as small as a 20oz soda bottle and covers two bikes and gear and sometimes people. Many uses.

Tyvek house wrap makes great ground cloths, much lighter than anything else, it breathes, packs small and you can cut to size and leave some for the vestibules. Remember the ground cloth is not to make the tent floor waterproof, it should be already, it is to protect he floor from wear and abrasion so the waterproofness lasts. You don't want the ground cloth sticking out beyond the rain fly. It will catch the water off the fly and run it under the tent. Best to have a footprint design, or make sure you fold any corners of a square tarp under so they don't stick out.

Sleeping bags - North Face 40* for summer and a Campmor 15* down for the other 3 seasons. Both pack the size of a loaf of bread and weight about 2#.

Mike

I saw an ad for a real cool one with a garage attached for the scoot....
http://nomadtent.com/press_details.html



Cooool...


Edit:
Seting up and packing this tent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUJXrMHgYDo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQ01GG9t5E

Tents... try to look for a tent that dose not need tent PEGS all the time. Sometimes you will find the ground too hard or rocky to stick pegs into. Also carry some kind of hammer and peg removel tool. You do want to rip your corner anchor straps.

Cb

Tents... try to look for a tent that does not need tent PEGS all the time. Sometimes you will find the ground too hard or rocky to stick pegs into.Cb

X 2!!! :goodidea: