Tents

[cosmic]

Nice tent! I just bought Coleman Tatra 2 for my upcoming solo trips. Can't wait to test it out.

 

[Ramseybella]

Nice tent! I just bought Coleman Tatra 2 for my upcoming solo trips. Can't wait to test it out.

Not yet being sold in North America, but would like to get my hands on one.

 

[cosmic]

Looks very sturdy, yet light and small packed. It supposedly even tested in the wind tunnel.

 

[BarkSlayer]

I had a high end Bibler Ahwanee (sp?) that was roomy for a tall guy and very durable. It was tough to pitch with the poles on the inside of the thing though. Used it a dozen times or so before offing it for a twin shell Coleman for a fraction of the cost that was much easier to live with.

 

[npj1966]

I use a Big Agnes and a 15' tarp with collapsible Coleman poles to make a vestibule to pull bikes under for rain/pollen cover.

-NPJ

 

[tomatocity]

I use a Big Agnes and a 15' tarp with collapsible Coleman poles to make a vestibule to pull bikes under for rain/pollen cover.

-NPJ

Very nice. Which Big Agnes tent is that? Like the Tarp idea.

 

[npj1966]

Very nice. Which Big Agnes tent is that? Like the Tarp idea.

Big Agnes Wyoming Trail 2. It can be used as a single garage for one bike but I go to Americade in June and have like 3-4 buds along so the tarp keeps the pine tree pollen off of the steeds. the vestibule/garage area is where we stow our gear to also keep dry/pollen free. I use extra long bungees on the tarp so that it has flex during windy days and nights.

-NPJ

 

[npj1966]

Big Agnes Wyoming Trail 2. It can be used as a single garage for one bike but I go to Americade in June and have like 3-4 buds along so the tarp keeps the pine tree pollen off of the steeds. the vestibule/garage area is where we stow our gear to also keep dry/pollen free. I use extra long bungees on the tarp so that it has flex during windy days and nights.

-NPJ

That photo was an extremely windy day as you can see by the wavering tarp and door to the vestibule...

 

[Jabba]

Marmot just redesigned the Limelight series of tents- The Limelight is a really great design for moto camping. Two doors, two vestibules, free standing, quick pitch option (tarp plus floor), vertical walls, tall (ish) center, great ventilation. Nice tight 3 pole pitch- quiet during windy conditions.

A few observations from a guy with a serious gear obsession- my garage and basement look like an REI.

All tents are a compromise- I've got 6 or 7 for different conditions, and my wife and I camp a lot. I have come to like having my own door. Makes for less intrusion on your partner. 2 people- 2 doors. Vertical walls make for more usable space and comfort. Ventilation is something you can never have too much of- as long as we're not talking about winter use. A mesh ceiling with a rain fly design that allows you to attach it- but leave it retracted- is a WONDERFUL thing in the desert on a clear night. Vestibules are a love/hate. They make tents harder to enter and leave- but for moto camping, that space is invaluable for storing the gear that you want to take off the bike, without intruding on your sleep space. Be sure the shape works for your stuff- hard bags are tall. Boots are tall. Rainflies that have round zipper openings mean you don't brush your shoulders against a wet tarp every time you get in or out- most rain flies have a vertical zipper that makes the top the narrowest part of the door. It's cheaper to make them this way, but we are shaped the other way around. Once you've had a good door, this becomes a deal breaker. Quality zippers (with fabric pulls- not metal. Metal is noisy), quality poles and stakes.... these things make for more hassle-free camping. Pockets and gear lofts, stays for doors.... little touches that designers can add that make for a better experience. A lot of "top" brands miss these details that a life of experience teaches. Some popular brands are so poorly supported that in bad conditions, you're in for a miserable night. If you see wrinkles in a light breeze, that becomes a fluttering nightmare in a true wind. It also means the fabric will intrude on your space. Tents are like little architectural design studies. The more conditions you encounter, the more those elements come to mean to you when it comes time to purchase your next one.

Check out the new Limelight design- it hits most of the marks. I went with the Limelight 3

 

[Hungry Tiger]

Jabba: Thank you for running off ... . Every one of those is a major point, and to share years of experience, all in one paragraph!

 

[Jabba]

There's a lot of dumb tents out there (how's that for brevity?)

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Ryan G.]

Most tent pole sections are over 20 inches which is too long to fit in many side panniers. If you want to keep the packed length size down and still have a free standing tent, you are limited to the Bibler tents or the Eurekas. I'm not too worried about weight, just need to set it up under 3 minutes and be able to lift it up and shake it out in the morning before packing it up.

 

[HBLQRider]

Got a Half Dome Plus.... sets up in about 4:23 sec, I dig it... For heavy wind I need to go order some better steaks..... Good for two people and gear but kinda tight if you pull off all your stuff... If your pulling your bike bags in the tent its really nice one person size wise...

^ This is the tent I use. Just enough room for myself and whatever gear I decide to bring in.

 

[Jabba]

Most tent pole sections are over 20 inches which is too long to fit in many side panniers. If you want to keep the packed length size down and still have a free standing tent, you are limited to the Bibler tents or the Eurekas. I'm not too worried about weight, just need to set it up under 3 minutes and be able to lift it up and shake it out in the morning before packing it up.

If you plan on carrying your tent in your pannier, it's just a matter of time till you're packing a soaking wet tent inside your bag with whatever else belongs there. I put the tent on top- it's not gonna get any wetter, but it might dry out if the weather cooperates.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Ramseybella]

I pack my poles outside my bags tent inside.
Or the whole thing in my duffle bag.

 

[JimmyP]

I have been using a Euerka Apex 2 for my motorcycle travels. Works well and packs small.
Packs down to 5" diameter x 24" long.

Sorry for the photo quality, you can just see the black bag of the tent on the bottom between the two yellow Seal Line Baja 20L bags.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I have been using a Euerka Apex 2 for my motorcycle travels. Works well and packs small.
Packs down to 5" diameter x 24" long.

Sorry for the photo quality, you can just see the black bag of the tent on the bottom between the two yellow Seal Line Baja 20L bags.

Liking that black reflective tape!
::008::

 

[Mellow]

Marmot just redesigned the Limelight series of tents- The Limelight is a really great design for moto camping. Two doors, two vestibules, free standing, quick pitch option (tarp plus floor), vertical walls, tall (ish) center, great ventilation. Nice tight 3 pole pitch- quiet during windy conditions.

A few observations from a guy with a serious gear obsession- my garage and basement look like an REI.

All tents are a compromise- I've got 6 or 7 for different conditions, and my wife and I camp a lot. I have come to like having my own door. Makes for less intrusion on your partner. 2 people- 2 doors. Vertical walls make for more usable space and comfort. Ventilation is something you can never have too much of- as long as we're not talking about winter use. A mesh ceiling with a rain fly design that allows you to attach it- but leave it retracted- is a WONDERFUL thing in the desert on a clear night. Vestibules are a love/hate. They make tents harder to enter and leave- but for moto camping, that space is invaluable for storing the gear that you want to take off the bike, without intruding on your sleep space. Be sure the shape works for your stuff- hard bags are tall. Boots are tall. Rainflies that have round zipper openings mean you don't brush your shoulders against a wet tarp every time you get in or out- most rain flies have a vertical zipper that makes the top the narrowest part of the door. It's cheaper to make them this way, but we are shaped the other way around. Once you've had a good door, this becomes a deal breaker. Quality zippers (with fabric pulls- not metal. Metal is noisy), quality poles and stakes.... these things make for more hassle-free camping. Pockets and gear lofts, stays for doors.... little touches that designers can add that make for a better experience. A lot of "top" brands miss these details that a life of experience teaches. Some popular brands are so poorly supported that in bad conditions, you're in for a miserable night. If you see wrinkles in a light breeze, that becomes a fluttering nightmare in a true wind. It also means the fabric will intrude on your space. Tents are like little architectural design studies. The more conditions you encounter, the more those elements come to mean to you when it comes time to purchase your next one.

Check out the new Limelight design- it hits most of the marks. I went with the Limelight 3

I have an older version of the Limelight and a newer Tungsten 2p and looks like they applied some of the Tungsten features to the New Limelight. The Tungsten is a little cheaper and you can get it in a more subtle green, FYI.

 

[HBLQRider]

Got back a couple of days ago from camping in the Lone Pine, CA area and wanted to add that the Half Dome 2 Plus zippers were a little difficult to operate. Not the end of the world but just more work to open and close then it should be.

 

[tomatocity]

Got back a couple of days ago from camping in the Lone Pine, CA area and wanted to add that the Half Dome 2 Plus zippers were a little difficult to operate. Not the end of the world but just more work to open and close then it should be.

Wax the zippers and see if that fixes the problem.