Tents for adventure riding [Archive]

Trials Rider

23rd June 2011, 20:25

OK I know I am going to get beaten up for this because it has most likely been thrashed out before so I will ask anyway.

I am looking for a tent for adventure riding, any brands, comments, advice, do's and dont's would be well received.

I also want a Coleman 508 cooker if anybody knows of one kicking around.

OK I have put on my helmet and pressed submit, bombs away

nothingflash

23rd June 2011, 20:29

cromagnon

23rd June 2011, 20:42

FJRider

23rd June 2011, 20:50

I have a kathmandu lansan plus tent at the moment, paid the 60% off price, even then it was still expensive. Construction is good, design could be improved. Too large for one person and therefore too heavy and takes up too much space too. Check out www.kiwicamping.co.nz , they seem to have resonably priced tents.

Adventure bikes find themselves in strange places ... extra room is not a bad thing ...

If one or two will be in the tent ... get a three "person" tent ... if the weight is the issue ... GET A BIGGER bike.

tri boy

23rd June 2011, 20:52

Have been using a Kiwi Camping Astro3 for about 5years.
A bit bulky on the bike, but sleeps two easily, and the vestawhasit, and fly/general build is excellant.

Trials Rider

23rd June 2011, 21:06

I have looked at

Exped Vela
Exped Southern cross
Terranova Laser

If anybody has info on these would be good to hear about

Crim

23rd June 2011, 21:07

OK I know I am going to get beaten up for this am looking for a tent for adventure riding,

Thank you - I have been trying to pluck up the courage to do the same thing for months and couldn't be arsed trawling through heaps of old threads either! :banana:

thepom

23rd June 2011, 21:15

Ask ADVGD....he.s done lots of camping and knows his stuff..:2thumbsup

.chris

23rd June 2011, 21:18

I Have been using one of these.
http://www.altitude.co.nz/images/cart_bigimages/1271.jpg

http://www.altitude.co.nz/cart_product1271-1-.html?Search=vaude&Start=1&Title=Vaude%20Hogan%20Ultralight

They are very small, I think it claims to be a 2 person tent, but you would have to be pretty damn comfortable with the other person. Works pretty well as an ADV tent small, light and just enough space to sleep on a half decent blow up matress.

JATZ

23rd June 2011, 21:38

We got one of these
http://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/outer_pro-bike_lge.jpg

it says it's a 2 person tent, but you'd have to be very friendly with your room mate :love:
Bonus is the large vestibule and it's designed for pushbiking so it's sort of small and lightweightish

Monstaman

23rd June 2011, 21:39

Thank you - I have been trying to pluck up the courage to do the same thing for months :

What oil should I use :devil2: :devil2:

Very valid today more than ever asking questions like this (Tent...not oil) as technology is changing very fast.

We have the Hilliberg Keron GT4 for our big trip away, for most trips in NZ the Kathmandu Base camp tent is bloody good, dry space is valuable so don't get to miserable on the last kilo.

Yellow tent is Kathmandu in Iceland
Green is Hilliberg in Finland

Trials Rider

23rd June 2011, 22:01

ADVGD

23rd June 2011, 22:10

Most of the time I use a Mantis 1 (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/58/high-country-trip.php) (1.9kg)

Or going light I just use a DHM Hike-lite rain shelter (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/55/lake-daniells.php) (865 grams)

Or for extra room and comfort I use both together (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/38/high-country-fishing.php)

However due to neither sheding snow very well my new winter use purchase is a Terra Nova Duolite (http://www.terranovatents.co.nz/product.cfm?cid=213&bid=&pid=114) It is fairly low weight and semi geodesic so has good snow shedding abilities

nzspokes

23rd June 2011, 22:35

Tents are all about how much and where you will use them. And how fast you want them to pitch. If your thinking once or twice a year in good weather then anything will do. If your thinking lots of use then get a good quality Macpac or sim. They will last for decades and be very fast pitching as they go up as one unit in a couple of mins. They also will handle any weather. And be very light/compact.

For beds go with a thermorest as they stop the cold from the ground and are very cumfy.

Its like everything, get what you pay for.

ducatijim

23rd June 2011, 22:49

MSR Hubba hubba, 2 x good mates:2thumbsup, 2 x vestiwotsits, very small and 1.8kg.
Bloody dear and bloody good. Shit doesn't pay in the long run.:weep:

ADVGD

23rd June 2011, 22:53

I also want a Coleman 508 cooker if anybody knows of one kicking around.

Interesting model, spare parts available, but looks like it is no longer in actual production eh. An MSR stove (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/17/msr-whisperlite-stove.php) could be an alternative if you can't find one, a seriously good compact white spirits stove, they cost a little more but they're super reliable and worth every cent.

Its like everything, get what you pay for.

+1

The best mat I have used to date is the Exped Down Mat (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/26/exped-downmat.php). 9cm thick when inflated with goose down to raise ground temp by 5 degrees... super comfortable

MSR Hubba hubba

They seem to be a pretty popular choice for many ADV riders

yod

23rd June 2011, 22:59

I know I'm a heathen road rider :dodge: but for what it's worth....

I got a Kathmandu something-or-other 3-man jobbie which has plenty of room for two people and a vestibule thingy-wotsit for wet boots, etc. Been very pleased with it so far. It's not the lightest or smallest but packed away it fits exactly across a ventura pack (the Aero Spada I think) and is about 20-25cm in diameter. I think I got it for around $300? Also got a pair of the self-inflating mattresses and a pair of the goose-down sleeping bags which all pack down very small. The whole lot will fit in the ventura bag no trouble.

yod

23rd June 2011, 23:02

The best mat I have used to date is the Exped Down Mat (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/26/exped-downmat.php). 9cm thick when inflated with goose down to raise ground temp by 5 degrees... super comfortable

Looks like a great bit of kit! What are they worth?

The self-inflatables I mentioned above are a pretty good option but they're only around 3-4cms thick so comfort isn't fantastic.

ADVGD

23rd June 2011, 23:57

Looks like a great bit of kit! What are they worth?

The self-inflatables I mentioned above are a pretty good option but they're only around 3-4cms thick so comfort isn't fantastic.

A little pricey at $280 but totally worth it at the end of a long day when you need a good nights sleep. I got mine from Bivouac (http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-downmat-9-pump-with-wide-valves.html)

JATZ

24th June 2011, 07:12

Holly shit, how many JATZ's have you had in that? or is the picture out of scale?

What brand is it?

Doh... it's an "OuterLimits, Probike II

It's kept us dry in some fairly serious West Coast rain with enough space to store all our gear in the dry and cook tea too

sinned

24th June 2011, 07:21

Ride magazine August 2011 has a review of 13 tents for bikers. This article made me rethink the tent I have and to realise that what is available in NZ is not up to the job.

Tunnel tents and ones that pop up are the answer - esp if it is raining.

clint640

24th June 2011, 08:44

I've got a Macpac Minaret. As an alpine tent it is kinda overkill for motorbike touring & it was bloody expensive, but it works great. Mine must be about 10yrs old by now, has had heaps of use & still looks new. Packs small, fairly light, extremely quick & easy to erect & extremely sturdy in bad weather. Ideal size for one+gear, when there are 2 of us we take a big bag to stuff all our gear in outside. Macpac have quite a range of tramping/biking tents that are definitely worth a look if you want to splash out on something quality.

Cheers
Clint

Trials Rider

24th June 2011, 09:40

Trials Rider

24th June 2011, 09:45

Doh... it's an "OuterLimits, Probike II

It's kept us dry in some fairly serious West Coast rain with enough space to store all our gear in the dry and cook tea too

Was that the tent you had when Andi & I meet you at the camp site on the coast?

I must admit we did discuss how you get two GIANT JATZ's in a wee tent:grouphug:

Anyway will look that one up

RedKLR650

24th June 2011, 10:25

:2thumbsup
OK I know I am going to get beaten up for this because it has most likely been thrashed out before so I will ask anyway.

I am looking for a tent for adventure riding, any brands, comments, advice, do's and dont's would be well received.

I also want a Coleman 508 cooker if anybody knows of one kicking around.

OK I have put on my helmet and pressed submit, bombs away

Well as far as price goes, this must be the top end of things, but it's certainly a great concept, especially in a wet cold winter if size/weight isn't an issue. Pity it's got a Yamaha type name..........

http://redverz.com/tents.html
USD$400

https://www.adventuremoto.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=55_152&products_id=629&osCsid=ce37fb72d17c26a2a6ec2c06bb230980
AUD$500

and if that one's too big, how about the opposite extreme, a jacket that folds int a tent :-)

http://jakpak.com/home.aspx

Cheers, Stu

Trials Rider

24th June 2011, 17:23

[QUOTE=ADVGD;1130093347]Interesting model, spare parts available, but looks like it is no longer in actual production eh. An MSR stove (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/17/msr-whisperlite-stove.php) could be an alternative if you can't find one, a seriously good compact white spirits stove, they cost a little more but they're super reliable and worth every cent.

I actually have a Coleman 508 myself, Bro Andi wants one so I thought I would ask while on this thread, I love it, it is easy to lite, nice and quiet and a large easy to control element so you don't get a hot spot in the middle of the pan.

Comes in a neat carry case, total self contained

JATZ

24th June 2011, 17:24

Was that the tent you had when Andi & I meet you at the camp site on the coast?

I must admit we did discuss how you get two GIANT JATZ's in a wee tent:grouphug:

Anyway will look that one up

Yip :yes: the very same.
Like I said.... "you need to be really friedly with your room mate"
It gets kinda small after 12 hrs of torrential rain, but is extra good on cold nights :love:

Trials Rider

24th June 2011, 17:31

Yip :yes: the very same.
Like I said.... "you need to be really friedly with your room mate"
It gets kinda small after 12 hrs of torrential rain, but is extra good on cold nights :love:

Yes I could imagine it would be fairly small in the rain, it would be Ok for me being a bit lower to the ground than you guys.

Going to look at an Exped Southern Cross over the weekend, looks good
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/tents/exped-southern-cross-tent.html

ADVGD

24th June 2011, 20:33

Yes I could imagine it would be fairly small in the rain, it would be Ok for me being a bit lower to the ground than you guys.

Going to look at an Exped Southern Cross over the weekend, looks good
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/tents/exped-southern-cross-tent.html

I will be very interested to see how you find it, I cannot rate Exped products enough, top end pricing but superior quality, functionality and longevity.

Trials Rider

24th June 2011, 21:39

I will be very interested to see how you find it, I cannot rate Exped products enough, top end pricing but superior quality, functionality and longevity.

Absolutely agree, My Exped Venus III is great, hence why I am leaning towards Exped again
If I get Exped it will be either

Vela
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/tents/exped-vela-i-tent.html

Southern cross
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/tents/exped-southern-cross-tent.html

The other one I was looking at was the Terranova Laser
http://www.terranovatents.co.nz/product.cfm?cid=208&bid=&pid=102

Would be really keen to know someone with one so I could see it physical

ADVGD

24th June 2011, 22:33

Absolutely agree, My Exped Venus III is great, hence why I am leaning towards Exped again
If I get Exped it will be either

Vela
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/tents/exped-vela-i-tent.html

Southern cross
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/tents/exped-southern-cross-tent.html

The other one I was looking at was the Terranova Laser
http://www.terranovatents.co.nz/product.cfm?cid=208&bid=&pid=102

Would be really keen to know someone with one so I could see it physical

My only input would be that other than "improved" snow shedding abilities, the main thing I am looking forward to in my new Terra Nova Duolite is headroom and space. When it is pissing down and you have to get dressed in your tent, it is a mission in a small tent like the Terra Nova Laser (or any other tent that is more like a glorified poled bivvy bag) not being able to sit up due to max height, its very very awkward. As awesome as it is weight ways, you can see here the the Laser is pretty small:

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e8HV7PiIFhg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Terra Nova Duolite has a lot more height and a good front flap setup so you can safely cook in there, and/or have a good view and still keep dry. Plus it is on special for $399

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SvOUHzAUGoo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I am getting the Duolite for solo use so I can keep all my gear dry inside, if this one is for you and your lady (if she is talking to you yet :lol:)then the tourer could be an option, that's got plenty of space, and on special too for $479

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4591494314_329d3733dc.jpg

blacksheep

25th June 2011, 20:36

have alook at the vango 250 and 350 range of tents....then compare prices,have used vango tents in the past in very ugly conditions and they always lasted when others had left the building

Trials Rider

26th June 2011, 10:24

have alook at the vango 250 and 350 range of tents....then compare prices,have used vango tents in the past in very ugly conditions and they always lasted when others had left the building

Looked then up on the net, could only find overseas suppliers.

Do you know any NZ agents?

Usarka

26th June 2011, 10:58

MSR Hubba hubba, 2 x good mates:2thumbsup, 2 x vestiwotsits, very small and 1.8kg.
Bloody dear and bloody good. Shit doesn't pay in the long run.:weep:

Haven't used one for adv purposes, but I'd have to vouch for the hubba hubba, it almost literallly saved my life in an alpine hike last year, i had to pitch it on rock with no pegs in snow with hypothemia and it lasted the night without blowing away or folding in.

But yes not cheap.

blacksheep

26th June 2011, 14:52

Looked then up on the net, could only find overseas suppliers.

Do you know any NZ agents?

no nz suppliers,tend to use ebay for most purchases,there is an aussie supplier selling on ebay but the initial cost/shipping put me off so i opted for ones selling in the uk as the pound is so weak at the moment

stig

27th June 2011, 03:38

I settled on the Coleman Epsilon
well thought out design and well made.
goes up in in a matter of seconds and can be done in the driving rain without getting the inside damp.
twin entry is good and front entrance has space for all your stinking riding gear.

like all tents pick the 2person if solo or 3 if there's two of you

http://www.colemannz.co.nz/products/COCTA1119

NordieBoy

29th June 2011, 22:20

I got one of these...
$80

http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/BYRTBN0CT

Love it.

One day I'll use it.

pete376403

29th June 2011, 22:26

Depending on how rugged the adventure is, one of these could be alright (eg for softcock KLR riders wanting to get up out of the snow at the Brass)

Squiggles

30th June 2011, 00:21

Depending on how rugged the adventure is, one of these could be alright (eg for softcock KLR riders wanting to get up out of the snow at the Brass)

True, Too heavy for a DR but that isn't an issue for KLRs

Trials Rider

30th June 2011, 08:08

I got one of these...
$80

http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/BYRTBN0CT

Love it.

One day I'll use it.

Geez NordieBoy, I just checked the link and now I am really confused, I thought we were talking about tents, oh well let me know how you get on with the her :yes:

When you looked at this model was it for sleeping underneath or on top :facepalm:

Trials Rider

30th June 2011, 08:59

Depending on how rugged the adventure is, one of these could be alright (eg for softcock KLR riders wanting to get up out of the snow at the Brass)

This system is perfect for Woodman when you see where he parks, mined you needs longer legs or pontoons

_Shrek_

30th June 2011, 09:07

Depending on how rugged the adventure is, one of these could be alright (eg for softcock KLR riders wanting to get up out of the snow at the Brass)

& maybe for BMW :ride: to :facepalm: if there's no trees around

Trials Rider

30th June 2011, 12:16

& maybe for BMW :ride: to :facepalm: if there's no trees around

Hello Mr Shrek, hows it all going, hope your legs are better now

_Shrek_

30th June 2011, 18:18

Hello Mr Shrek, hows it all going, hope your legs are better now

:laugh: the black was still coming out a week later, & I'd do it all over again :woohoo: was worth it
have fitted new foot rest & bagage frame ex England & put bar riser's on very differant bike to ride :niceone:
as soon as the rugby is over it will be time to find knew tracks & places to go

Trials Rider

30th June 2011, 21:39

:laugh: the black was still coming out a week later, & I'd do it all over again :woohoo: was worth it
have fitted new foot rest & bagage frame ex England & put bar riser's on very differant bike to ride :niceone:
as soon as the rugby is over it will be time to find knew tracks & places to go

Good stuff, yes I thought the bruising would last a while.

I put bar risers on the DR650 and the DT230, even for a short bastard like me they make a difference

Trials Rider

8th July 2011, 20:18

Ok I have a tent coming over from the USA, a Hilleberg NammatJ 2, very cool tent, very good specs and a vestibule worth having, a lot of tents have a split vestibule's so you can put some gear in this side and some on that, with the side entry you get a good useful area, the tent is also a pre hung inner so putting it up in the wet will be easy and of course the worlds best poles DAC.

I went for two man so I can sit my gear in the tent beside me, that will pay off on a rainy day.

Web link
http://www.hilleberg.com/home/products/nammatj/nammatj2.php

Will let you know what I think when it arrives

blacksheep

10th July 2011, 13:49

no nz suppliers,tend to use ebay for most purchases,there is an aussie supplier selling on ebay but the initial cost/shipping put me off so i opted for ones selling in the uk as the pound is so weak at the moment

bought 1 from outdoormegastore uk, nz260$:eek: shipped door to door,cant go wrong me-thinks(just sold my old coleman for $165 on tard me too:laugh:)