2020 Update for Best Motorcycle Camping Tents
Since this article was first written there have been new tents that have come out that are great options for motorcycle camping tents. One such tent on the market is brought to you by Harley-Davidson. It has to be cool if it is a Harley – right!?
2020 update: Harley-Davidson Dome Tent with Vestibule Motorcycle Storage
Tent:
8″ x 7″
Height: 52″ H
Vestibule:
8″ 4″ x 8″7″
Height 66″ H
Weight:
12 pounds
When it comes to protecting your steel horse from the elements and peering eyes there’s no better name to trust than Harley-Davidson.
This tent boasts a 40″x 40″ front and rear doors for easy access. The motorcycle vestibule is designed specifically for motorcycles and can be removed when not needed. This is great for campers who are not exclusively motorcycle campers and can benefit from a high quality full sized dome tent sleeping space.
One thing to note about this tent if considering is that the tent poles are too long to fit in a saddle bag. Since they are non collapsable other motorcyclists have used bungee cords to strap them to the top of the bag or to the fork.
I recommend this tent for its versatility and, of course, brand reputation.
Original Article
Looking to see what the best tents for motorcycle camping are?
Look no further because I have just finished researching every motorcycle tent available and come up with the final 12, which is what you’ll find in this article.
I am by no means a motorcyclist but I have uncles who are AVID outdoorsman and can never pass up taking their motorcycle, which is what inspired me to create this article
I wanted tents that’ll always be good and will last a long time, so here goes
Enjoy.
What is Motorcycle Tent Camping?
To put it simply, motorcycle tent camping is the act of going on a road trip with your motorcycle and sleeping in a tent when you rest.
This is the gist of it anyway.
This includes but is not limited to: wilderness camping, public campsites, freedom camping, at a family members house, etc.
It might be for a weekend getaway to your public campsite or it might also be an extended trip where you’re gone for weeks at a time.
It does not matter what it is, as long as you’re taking your motorcycle on a road trip and sleeping in a tent – that is what you call motorcycle tent camping my friend.
What is a Motorcycle Tent?
A motorcycle tent is a tent with an extra large vestibule.
A vestibule on a traditional tent is used to store your equipment only, whereas a vestibule that overhangs by a large amount is called an extra large vestibule and allows for bigger and more items to be stored than usual.
They can be used to sit around with your camping buddies and hang out while being sheltered from a rainy day, or it can be used for many other things such as storing your motorcycle for the night.
And that is exactly what makes a motorcycle tent; a tent with a large vestibule so you can keep your motorcycle safe and secure.
These tents differ from backpacking tents as they do provide extra space for the motorcycle. But certainly the ability to travel light and compact are two shared features.
Why They Are Better Than Traditional Tents
When you motorcycle camp with a traditional tent without the extra large vestibule, your motorcycle can be stolen by thieves, tampered with by people, parts can be stolen and it can get damaged by animals.
There’s a lot that can go wrong when your motorcycle is out in the open with no one to watch it.
However, with the help of a motorcycle tent there will be no issues because it’ll be out of sight, under shelter and safe from passerby, including animals.
This is the main reason why motorcycle campers use specially designed tents instead of traditional tents.
The many tents below are very affordable and make great choices for motorcycle campers.
1. Vuz Moto 12 Foot Waterproof Motorcycle Tent
Floor Size: 12 feet long
Height: Unknown
Weight: 13.7 pounds
This tent maximizes space so you’re not left cramped in a small tent that can’t keep your motorcycle sheltered.
It houses 3 people so you can bring someone else along but without having to leave your motorcycle out in cold and wet conditions!
The storage area has enough space for your motorcycle and everyone’s gear and fully closes so no one can see what’s inside.
It has 4 entrances for quick and easy access and a screen mesh for keeping bugs out.
It features a 10,000mm waterproofing floor and rain fly so you and your gear stays safe and dry in harsh weather conditions.
It is easy-to-store and easy to setup thanks to the sturdy aluminium poles, stakes and materials, which they describe as some of the most durable materials available!
2. GoldenShark BERG 4 Mosquito 4 Person Tent
Floor Size: 16.4 x 19.2 feet
Height: 6.6 feet
Weight: 20 pounds
So the GoldenShark is actually a little more expensive but that’s because it’s a 4-season tent so it withstands snowfall as well as strong wind and rain.
It has 2 doors and an extra entry point for the main sleeping area.
It sleeps 4 people and has a very large vestibule for storing everyone’s equipment.
And of course there is enough space for storing multiple motorcycles.
It packs down small so it’ll easily fit on the back of your motorcycle without taking up too much space.
It has great UV-ray resistance and waterproof fabrics so you’ll be safe and sheltered from the elements.
There are lots of windows for ventilation and you can keep all entry points open for amazing cross-breeze during the day.
It is super simple to setup and can be done in a matter of minutes.
3. NTK INDY GT 3 to 4 Person Family Camping Tent
Floor Size: 12 x 7 feet
Height: 4.3 feet
Weight: 7.8 pounds
The NTK Indy GT has many sizes but I want to talk about the 3-4 person version since it’s much cheaper than the other tents mentioned in this article.
It has a floor in the vestibule storage area so care will need to be taken when parking your motorcycle for the night.
However, this is removable if you prefer not damage the flooring and has anti-fungus coating for longevity and amazing water resistance.
It is designed for a quick and easy setup and features a DOUBLE-LAYER rain fly so you can be sure you’ll stay dry in harsh rainstorms.
The main sleeping area has a large door and includes a 2-way zipper, D-shape and full mesh bug screen to maximize ventilation while staying safe from mosquitoes.
It has 2 entry points with one including an awning for when you want to be outside but shaded from the elements.
4. Blue Ridge Family Outfitters 4 person Summer Camping Tent
Floor Size: 15 x 7.7 feet
Height: 7 feet
Weight: Unknown
Big enough to house 4 people with enough room to store a motorcycle is the Blue Ridge Outfitters 4-Person Tent.
There are 2 sleeping areas for when you want privacy from your camping buddies and a large storage area smack bang in the middle of the rooms.
A large awning extends from the front of the entry point so you have an area to stay sheltered from the blaring sunshine.
It is surprisingly easy to setup and aesthetically pleasing with the bright and colorful design. The kids will absolutely love it.
It is lightweight and compact so you can fit it on the back of your motorcycle and have more room in your backpack for other items.
5. Chinook Whirlwind 3-Person Fiberglass Pole Tent
Floor Size: 6 x 7.6 feet
Height: 4.5 feet
Weight: 11.7 pounds
The Chinook Whirlwind makes an amazing motorcycle tent for the simple reason it’s not too big nor too small.
It’s spacious for 1 person but snug for 2 and it’s super simple but effective at the same time.
It features 2 points of entry and an extremely large door for the main sleeping area.
The extended frame creates an awning for everyone’s equipment and a motorcycle!
It has a freestanding design and makes this tent easy to set up every time.
The extra long rain fly and delta panels ensure it stays dry in the rain and the door awning provides even more shelter.
The no-see-um mesh windows allow for continued ventilation when the mosquitoes are out.
6. Exio Gear 6 Person Tent
Floor Size: 10 x 8.2 feet
Height: 6.5 feet
Weight: 15 pounds
The Exio Gear 6 is described as having “tough as nails durability”, and there’s a good reason why.
The rain fly is tear-resistant and has been coated with silicone coating to resist a heavy downpour.
It features a bathtub floor design for ground moisture protection and SmartSeal waterproofing on all seams.
It is compact and portable as it has 3 carry bags to split the weight between 3 people.
It has lots of room inside and an area to store your motorcycle for the night, or simply use it as a sunshade during the day. Yes…it really is that large and is unique to this tent!
The freestanding pole design is structured to have near-vertical walls and creates a much more livable space so you’re not all cramped up, which also increases strength and comfort.
This typical structure maximizes air flow and minimizes condensation buildup so you’ll hardly have any issues even with the rain fly on.
It has color-coded poles, an advertised setup time of just minutes and a 3-year limited repair and replacement warranty!
7. Hilleberg Nammatj GT 3 Person Tent
Floor Size: 13.1 x 5.2 feet
Height: 3.4 feet
Weight: 8.2 pounds
So the Hilleberg is the most expensive out of the lot but do hear me out.
It’s extremely stable as it’s a 4-season tent so it withstands almost anything the elements throws at it, and it’ll last a lifetime. The 10 mm diameter poles allow this to happen.
It only requires 4 stakes to pitch and stand strong but has additional guy points when the wind picks up (18 all up!).
It features a full sitting height so you can sit comfortably without feeling cramped and the tunnel design means the walls are near-vertical for increased volume and a comfortable living space.
The large vertical door creates easy entry and exit and includes a no-see-um screen mesh screen for protection from bugs, however, can be removed for convenience.
The large vestibule storage area has enough space for a motorcycle and everyone’s equipment but without increasing total weight.
The Nammatj GT has a much bigger vestibule than the standard Nammatj and continues to receive ventilation even with the rain fly on, regardless of weather conditions.
This is the ultimate 4-season motorcycle tent and definitely one of the best available!
8. Chinook Whirlwind Guide 5-Person Fiberglass Pole Tent
Floor Size: 10 x 7 feet
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 23.7 pounds
Described as a great outdoor home-away-from home is the Chinook Whirlwind Guide 5 Tent.
It has a very roomy interior and a long vestibule which overhangs the tent to create ample storage space for both a motorcycle and equipment.
It features a whopping 4 entry points and an extra door for the main sleeping area! All vestibule openings contain mesh screens for protection against bugs.
At the entrance of the sleeping room is 1 door and another one in the rear so you can actually enter the tent without going through the storage area.
Leave all doors open for the best air flow and ventilation possible, which stops the tent feeling like a sauna on hot summer days.
The delta panels on the rain fly help keep the rain away from the main tent body and the floor material is heavy-duty and will withstand outdoor furniture (camping chairs, tables, etc) and foot traffic for many years.
And because it contains a floor it can be used as an additional sleeping area if need be (which is removable).
9. Helang Family Camping Tents Pop up Tent
Floor Size: 8 x 6.6 feet
Height: 4.6 feet
Weight: 5.7 pounds
Lets tone down the price by a lot and talk about the Helang Family Camping Tent.
Although it’s not the most waterproof tent in this article it definitely is affordable and worth the price.
It has enough space for 3-4 people but makes a great solo tent for anyone that has a motorcycle.
It’s super simple to setup as it has a popup design and can literally be pitched in a matter of seconds!
It is high quality for the price, waterproof and fireproof and doesn’t even look like a motorcycle tent until you set up the awning, which is where the magic happens as it functions as a motorcycle storage area by night and a place to relax by day.
Furthermore, it has 4 total doors for amazing cross-flow ventilation on hot summer days and easy thoroughfare.
10. Vidalido Square Double Door Curtain 3-4 Person Tent
Floor Size: 8 x 6.5 feet
Height: 5.5 feet
Weight: 17.7 pounds
Well this tent is aesthetically pleasing from the get go and has many useful features fit for a motorcycle camper.
It is a 3-4 person tent and has an increased height to stand and walk around freely even when under the awning.
It has vertical walls so there’s no leaning over, crouching, slouching or anything like that. It’s built for easy livability and convenience.
It’s made with anti-tear polyester so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged easily in the field and the anti-rust poles increase longevity and a stable tent in high winds.
Waterproof consists of advanced stitching, caulking and even taping so dry nights are inevitable,
It is lightweight and very high value for money taking into considering all the features it offers.
Your motorcycle sits under the awning at nighttime.
The massive doors allow for easy thoroughfare and cross-flow ventilation, which is always nice when sun makes the tent feel like a sauna.
These also have mesh screens to stop mosquitoes entering and stargazing opportunities thanks to the full mesh ceiling!
11. Big Agnes Big House 4 Deluxe Tent
Floor Size: 8 x 7.5 feet (main tent only)
Height: 5.7 feet
Weight: 14.4 pounds (includes vestibule)
So this tent can be purchased by itself or with the vestibule, however, the vestibule is sold separately.
The tent canopy is made of polyester and the rain fly is polyester with waterproof PU coating, taped seams and solvent-free polyurethane (which is eco-friendly).
The structure provides great livability thanks to the steep walls.
It has 2 large doors for quick and easy thoroughfare with zippers that are smooth to use every time.
The zippers have storm flaps to stop cold air entering the tent.
The mesh walls provide outside view without sacrificing privacy and a mesh ceiling for watching the starry night sky.
What I really like is that there’s a total of 12 interior pockets! This is great for when you want to keep everything organized and easily accessible.
Just be wary that the large vestibule is sold separately (where your motorcycle goes).
Manufactures describe the Big Agnes Big House Deluxe Tent as the Taj Mahal of the campground.
12. BELLAMORE GIFT Tent Outdoor Family Camping Tent
Floor Size: 15 x 7.6 feet
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 18.8 pounds
The BELLAMORE GIFT Tent has a fiberglass frame for battling strong winds and fits perfect as a motorcycle tent since has LOTS of storage space.
The 2 sleeping areas are located on each side of the tent with the middle fit for storage, which is where you store your motorcycle and equipment for the night.
Storage does not have a groundsheet so you don’t have to worry about doing any damage.
There is also a mesh window opposite the main door for cross-flow ventilation.
The sleeping areas contain large doors and are separate from each other for when you want privacy from your camping buddy.
A yoga towel is included in the purchase as a gift from manufacturers.
This tent is simple yet effective at the same time but in a highly affordable price range compared to other motorcycle tents.
Conclusion
Camping is amazing because it allows people of all ages to experience the great outdoors no matter what your needs are.
Some people love car camping, glamping, and in this case some people love motorcycle camping. I’m happy to provide these great tents for you.
These are the best I could find so I hope you find one you’ll like.
If you’re stuck on what to choose, check out what I recommend below and why.
What’s my favorite tent out of these?
The Chinook Whirlwind 3-Person Fiberglass Pole Tent is an absolute beast when it comes to price, features and value for money.
It stands strong in high wind and keeps rain out with ease. It makes a great choice for a solo motorcycle trip.
However, if you want the absolute best without paying an arm and a leg, the Exio Gear 6 Person Tent is the next best option.
It’s massive and also great value for money but works as a family tent as it allows for multiple motorcycles to be stored under the vestibule.
Don’t know what tent to choose? Hit me up in the comments below! I’m sure I can help you find something.
Cheers!
-Brandon
Camping Mastery
Camping is good. I like camping. Thanks for your information of camping products i can check and review.
I will check them
Thanks Piseth; happy to help 🙂
Just come back from a weeks fishing with my other half and camped out in the sticks with only the sheep for comfort. I love it and there’s no better feeling especially with just the river for various needs. We have a 4 berth tent which we’ve had now for a number of years and has served its purpose and therefore on the lookout for a new tent and came across your site. I think you have selected a good range that will suit many, not just motorcyclists and I shall be looking at them in more details. Thanks for your help
I’ll have to agree with you there Mick. There’s no better feeling than being out in mother nature without the daily stresses of normal life.
And these motorcycle tents definitely will be good for non-motorcyclists too, as the vestibule area can be a place to sit and chat especially when it rains.
Thanks for the comment.
This is a fantastic article. Talk about finding the right site when your looking for something I have been looking all over to get a tent to house my Harley in when I’m on a road trip. Now comes the which one do I choose the prices are great on all of them. I’m also sending this link to my riding buddies. Again thank you for this great article and right on time.
David
Awesome David, I’m also glad you’ve found my article before your trip. There are many available but if you still need help you’ll see the ones I personally recommend at the bottom of the article. And thanks for sharing with your riding buddies 🙂
Hey Brandon – I have an uncle with MS who regularly takes his daughter out on the open road two or three times a year for an adventure together. I’m sure he would be very interested in these tents. I never even knew there were specific “motorcycle” tents that could stow your bike away with you. What a unique idea!
It is indeed a marvelous creation and if you’re uncle doesn’t know about these kind of tents already he will be so thankful that you pointed him here. Cheers for the comment and the share.
Honestly, I didn’t realize there were so many choices. This is a fabulous lay down of what is available and where to purchase these specific tents. As a retired Soldier I have tons of friends that would be interested in this type of article–lots of motorcycle riders from the Army.
Well these are the absolute best on the market at the time I wrote the article and I will keep updating them as I see fit, which will mostly be every few months. I appreciate the share to your riding buddies, Skip.
A lot of great information about this category of tents. I don’t camp with a motorcycle, but I’d really like to have one of these to provide area for sitting without being totally within the tent.
Your site looks great, as well. I’ll be back to check out more.
Jeff
They are also great for that too, which is what others have pointed out as well.
They make great hang out areas for the simple reason you’re sheltered from rain, sunshine and mosquitoes as long as you keep the mesh door intact.
Hi Brandon, I honestly didn’t know about motorcycle camping. I went camping for the first time about 10 years ago when I was 50. We were going to stay in my daughters pop up camper but my other daughter brought a tent and I talked her into letting my husband and I stay in the tent instead. It actually didn’t take much talking lol. I had never slept in a tent before and I absolutely loved it. The night sounds actually put me to sleep.
These tents as you said would be great for non-motorcyclists as well. A great idea for the extra space for sitting with friends and family, not only for getting out of the rain but the sun as well.
And there are so many to choose from also.
A great article. Thank you for sharing.
I am going to post your link to my friends on Facebook who do own motorcycles.
Tai
Thanks for sharing your first camping experience Taianne, and I really enjoy the nighttime sounds as I drift off to sleep as well.
I really appreciate you sharing with your friends, so thanks a bunch!
Hi Brandon
Me and my wife love to spend the odd weekend camping, and its time for us to look into replacing our tent for a new one, although i don’t ride a motorbike, your selection of tent ideas are very cool.
I will certainly be checking out your suggestions.
Thanks four sharing the above information.
Chris
No worries Chris. If you need any help purchasing a tent I can happily steer you in the right direction.
Man I need to do some more camping before the summer ends!
I think these are some fantastic tents regardless of having owning a motorcycle. Some close friends would love these tents! Great post Brandon!
Well I’m glad you like them Brandon, now get out there and do some camping before the sun goes away!
Gosh! This makes me want to go camping again! I don’t have a motorcycle, but I do have friends that do. I’ll be sharing this with them 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, thanks Kelly.
Hi Brandon ,Thanks for the article
I learned something new today and it’s very informative , i’m glad to find your website now i know if i need anything related to camping where to look .
waiting for your next article
Aly
Hello Ahmed.
Thanks for your kind words. I have plenty of articles on camping, tents, sleeping bags, etc. So don’t be afraid to look around or ask if you need help 🙂
Hi Brandon, this post couldn’t have come at a better time. I am currently in the middle of planning a surprise tour of the west coast of Ireland for my partner. My family are from over there and we both now live in the states. Thank you for sharing this. I will certainly look into this further. All the best.
That will be AMAZING if you do that for your partner. What a great partner you are Catherine. Let me know how it goes 🙂
I bought a tent like this once, but I lost it somewhere.
However we love to camp, so I’ll certainly check out these tents!
These are great but do let me know if you need any help 🙂
My husband and I were just talking about plans on going camping by next year because our 2 toddlers will be at least old enough to enjoy! This information here is very helpful for parents like us. Thanks!
Well at least these tents would be useful since the large vestibules can be used as a hangout area for your toddlers!
Hey Brandon, thanks for creating your 12 best tents for motorcycle camping post.
I’m currently after a 2 person tent comprising a large vestibule for my wife and I when we ride away for camping trips. Being able to park the bike in the overhanging vestibule delivers a security bonus for our concerns.
We’re after a lightweight tent, the one that caught my attention was the Hilleberg Nammatj GT – 3 Person Tent due to its sturdiness, comfortable living space and lightweight 8.2 pounds.
Thanks again for helping,
Simon.
That tent has a hefty price tag but it more than makes up for it with its sturdiness, comfort and longevity as it will definitely last a lifetime. Cheers for the comment.
Sounds like you’ve done some motorcycle tent camping and know something about it. I like the review for the tents. It is so hard to know which one will be right for you. This article helps a lot.
I’m actually not accustomed to motorcycle camping but my family is and they absolutely love it. I’ve seen the struggles they go through with a traditional tent hence why I wanted to put together a list that can help ALL motorcycle campers find the right one.
Hey Brandon,
Thanks for the tour of tents I didn’t even know existed. A tent to house your motorcycle! Wow, that totally caught me off guard but makes perfect sense. It made me laugh too because so many of my motorcycle enthusiastic friends do their tear-down and rebuilds in their living room, hehe!! This kind of camping will help them feel right at home while away from home, that’s too funny!
I can see the dual function for non-riders like me. I prefer a tent with height as I am over 6′ tall, and you have some great picks in this list.
Thanks for doing all the hard work,
Bill
I’ve never heard of motorcycle enthusiasts doing tear-downs in their living room but this could be a great alternative while they’re out on the road, I highly agree!
And as so many others have pointed out already, these are dual function so they’ll work for non-motorcyclists too.
Great article! I have several friends who ride and this is exactly what they’re looking for. Bookmarking and sharing! Thank you!
Thanks for the bookmark and share!
Hi Brandon,
I was just recently thinking it would be fun for me and my husband to get a motorcycle and I think motorcycle camping is a great idea! I had not thought about a specific tent for this. It makes sense though and I can see that these would be really popular. You certainly have a huge selection here and they should meet the needs of just about anyone!
You have me thinking now…thanks!
Jessica
No worries Jessica, and these are the top 12 I could find on the internet so there’s really no need to looks elsewhere. I hope you and your husband go on that trip, you probably need it 🙂
Fantastic, wish I’d come across this earlier before we spent a fortune on our gear for festival this year. Thank you for your insight, we’ll definitely be looking to you for our next purchase 🙂
Well now you know where to come for your next piece of camping equipment 😀
This is a great list Brandon! Thanks for sharing.
It was my pleasure, Sarah..happy to help!
The weight of some of this tents, well over 10 lbs, in my mind does not make them a motorcycle tent. May be they have the space for one, but not the weight. In motorcycling, just like in aviation, weight is crucial. Motorcycles due to their size have limited load capacities. My 2021 Tenere 700 has a load capacity of 419 lbs (190 kg). That includes rider and passenger, accessories, and any other gear. And the load weight becomes even more crucial on Adventure and Dual Sport bikes and off roading is tougher on the whole bike, specially the suspension. Not to mention the the work load on the rider. We all know that bikes don’t feel the same loaded than unloaded. There are great tents for two or three people weighting 4-8 lbs. Therefore, in my opinion anything above 7 lbs for a 1_2 person tent, or 10 lbs for a 3-4 person tent is not suitable for motorcycles.