Help with choosing tent

[Butters]

For motorcycle camping, you don't need to spend a fortune on a tent. But you need to figure out what aspects you want. Some things that greatly add to the price of a tent (ultralight, ultracompact, snow loading ability) simply aren't needed for most motorcycle campers.

Personally, I think three biggest qualities would be: waterproof, aluminum poles (rather than fiberglass), and ease of setup. Other things to consider would be venting, a decent vestibule, and the form factor when stored. Beyond that, everything is gravy for the average camper. Expensive gravy.

There are literally dozens (hundreds?) of tents that meet that criteria. Even a Walmart tent may work, but I would want several personal references to be sure the quality doesn't vary greatly. The easiest thing would be to find a tent you like from a major manufacturer and look at the reviews. Brands like REI and Kelty have tents that would work in the $100-200 range.

[GSBS]

...Your most wisely spent money will be in your choice of sleeping pad and sleeping bag, regardless of the tent you select.

In a cold hard rain I could be really comfortable on my 3.5" thick Downmat sleeping pad and 0º down bag even if water were puddling on the tent floor of a cheap tent. But in the same weather it could be miserable in a $500 tent with a poor sleeping pad/sleeping bag. Just sayin'...

[Dale950]

Very happy with my Nemo Losi 2

[Maggot12]

I've been using a 40 buck Ozark trail tent for about 6 yrs now and about half dozen times a yr. It still looks new, works great, and packs to 7x16. My only small beef is that I have to fish two poles x wise to set it up which takes almost minutes.

Ease of setup would be the only thing I buy another tent for, and that can be had for less than 100 bucks.

+1 on a good pad and mattress.

[outdoornate65]

I currently own 3 REI tents and love them all. Great quality. I do believe you get what you pay for when it comes to tents.

[mass-klr]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up getting the REI Half Dome 2 Plus. It was on sale at REI for $159.
I like that it is 4 inches wider and 9 inches longer that the Half Dome 2. It also has near vertical side walls and 2 doors.

It is still on sale a REI.

[seniorasi]

Anyone here use a Redverz Gen II? Hope this won't be considered a hijack but there are a number of brands and styles mentioned but no-one mentioned the Moto-tent category.

[mike54]

Originally Posted by mass-klr

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up getting the REI Half Dome 2 Plus. It was on sale at REI for $159.
I like that it is 4 inches wider and 9 inches longer that the Half Dome 2. It also has near vertical side walls and 2 doors.

Good choice. I've got the older 1/2 dome and it's been great. I've been looking at this one and trying to justify getting it when the old one is still going strong.

[Maggot12]

Originally Posted by mike54

Good choice. I've got the older 1/2 dome and it's been great. I've been looking at this one and trying to justify getting it when the old one is still going strong.

Nice tent too many poles, imo

[mike54]

Originally Posted by Maggot12

Nice tent too many poles, imo

Does it matter when they're all hubbed together? The older 1/2 dome only had 2.

[Sheps3]

Look into the Koppen Hmr 3 from Dicks sporting goods. I have many exspensive tents and tried this one on a similar ride last year. For $130 you cant beat it for a free standing tent thats light only 4 lbs. Thing is bombproof and comes with its own compresion sack to boot. Survivied winds in excess of 80 mph in a bad storm. Check it out.

[Maggot12]

Originally Posted by mike54

Does it matter when they're all hubbed together? The older 1/2 dome only had 2.

While I have no experience with this particular tent, any time you need several poles to put a tent together, especially when solo, adds to the aggravation. You'll be trying to put a couple corners together while trying to prevent the others from falling out. And they will.
Add in night coming on, you'r in Labrador where the black flies are trying to carry you away, and you're also tired.

The aggravation may not be enough to take yrs off your life, but it would be enough of a nuisance for me that I wouldn't even consider it. Especially when there are many other choices available.

[mass-klr]

Originally Posted by Maggot12

While I have no experience with this particular tent, any time you need several poles to put a tent together, especially when solo, adds to the aggravation. You'll be trying to put a couple corners together while trying to prevent the others from falling out. And they will.
Add in night coming on, you'r in Labrador where the black flies are trying to carry you away, and you're also tired.

The aggravation may not be enough to take yrs off your life, but it would be enough of a nuisance for me that I wouldn't even consider it. Especially when there are many other choices available.

There are only 2 poles connected to the plastic corners on top and the ridge pole also connectingbto it. First time I set it up without instructions took less than 10 minutes.

[mass-klr]

Originally Posted by mass-klr

There are only 2 poles connected to the plastic corners on top and the ridge pole also connectingbto it. First time I set it up without instructions took less than 10 minutes.

How the pole setup works

[Okie Preacher]

Originally Posted by seniorasi

Anyone here use a Redverz Gen II? Hope this won't be considered a hijack but there are a number of brands and styles mentioned but no-one mentioned the Moto-tent category.

Use it. Love it.

It isn't light. It isn't small. It isn't free-standing. It takes a large campsite to set it up.

But it is absolute heaven to live out of on the road. Whether or not you park the bike in the vestibule is beside the point. It is great to have all your gear dry and inside...and be able to gear up without rolling around on the ground.