Motorbike tent

[Tazz]

My only problem is that I have never managed a good restful sleep in a sleeping bag on an inflatable mat.

You ever try the expeds matts? I've gone one of the hunting and fishing ones that are similar, tis whoresome.

[Big Dog]

you specified neither age nor gender.

Going into the bush with a dozen boys... Whaddarya?

I did say it was in my teens.
Some call it prepping for the akzleocolypse... others call it Boys Brigade.

I learned 2 important survival tips that trip...
Don't trust your leaders blindly: Check your route and equipment yourself.
In a pinch a 6inch blade with a solid hilt will serve you better in the bush than a "survival knife" (no we were not allowed to bring a hatchet): You can't hammer in a stake with the compass end, you can however make a guy rope from bark, make tent poles from cane or similarly flexible sticks if you can cut it and make tent pegs. Already knew that from a text book perspective. Nice to know I was not a loony learning that in advance.

[MarkH]

You ever try the expeds matts? I've gone one of the hunting and fishing ones that are similar, tis whoresome.

Yeah, that's what I've used in tents. Went with the longer thicker top of the line model (Downmat 9 long wide), it seemed OK but I still tossed & turned all night and woke early feeling stuffed. In a hammock I can sleep for more than 10 hours if catching up on sleep, can't even achieve that in a regular bed.

At the last Cold Kiwi I slept in my hammock while there was frost on the outside of the tent, I had to open my sleeping bag a bit because I was getting too hot.
Hammocks are more comfortable, cooler in summer & warmer in winter - presuming you have the right gear of course.

[Tazz]

Yeah, that's what I've used in tents. Went with the longer thicker top of the line model (Downmat 9 long wide), it seemed OK but I still tossed & turned all night and woke early feeling stuffed. In a hammock I can sleep for more than 10 hours if catching up on sleep, can't even achieve that in a regular bed.

At the last Cold Kiwi I slept in my hammock while there was frost on the outside of the tent, I had to open my sleeping bag a bit because I was getting too hot.
Hammocks are more comfortable, cooler in summer & warmer in winter - presuming you have the right gear of course.

There was another thread here where this was discussed, but I actually find I still need a heap of insulation under me in a hammock or stretcher. I was gutted to discover that (love sleeping on stuff that's moving (boats, cars, peasants etc).
You've got an interesting setup, and some of those hammock tents are so light and reasonably priced (despite the obvious drawbacks of a hammock).

I'm not a big guy weight wise, but I can sleep on my side on the matt I've got now and not touch the ground which I'm pretty stoked with. Good you found something that suits you. Some people give up and go off camping all together before finding a setup that they like (I'm yet to find a tent that will keep my dry while I pack it up )

[JATZ]

This is a pretty good idea for camping knowing the bike is safe

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Interesting setup, but I'd spend the night nervous the bike was going to topple over and either A: crush my skull or B: crush my feet.
I have a bike cover that rolls up pretty small if I do feel the need to cover the bike, which is usually parked more than a bike length from the tent
For a tent I use a kathmandu thingy which seems alright and packs up small, coupled with a cheepy tarp from the warehouse and some bits of string (or bike tiedowns if I'm going interisland) The tarp wraps round the tent during transport to provide protection
Sleeping... I have a small blowup thing to lie on and a "self inflating" (yeah right ) mat to go under it. The whole lot fits into a 20 l dry bag with a 3 legged stool and a couple of tubes, maybe some jacket liners too if I feel the need

[eldog]

There was another thread here where this was discussed, (I'm yet to find a tent that will keep my dry while I pack it up )

I remember this other thread, it was interesting how people preferred hammocks or tents.

I like the one Haydes suggested, but still not sure I would ever use it properly.
I guess I am going to have to try a bit of camping with what I have got (minimal) and see what happens.

Nice to see people putting ideas on KB for others to have a look at/think about.

[MarkH]

but I actually find I still need a heap of insulation under me in a hammock or stretcher.

Well yeah, hammocks don't work in anything but really hot nights without some insulation under them.
I have a poncho liner made into an under quilt - good (or at least reasonable) for summer, I have a Hammock Gear Incubator 20 for winter, designed to be good down to 20°F which is around -7°C which is as cold as I've ever been camping in.
The poncho liner UQ cost me a total of less than eighty dollars total, but the HG UQ was over US$200 before shipping costs. I'm willing to spend money to be comfortable though, fuck being uncomfortable!

For a top quilt I use my down sleeping bag that I bought around 7 or 8 years ago, it is still in great condition and has been good value, I'm not in any hurry to spend money on a good top quilt that I don't have to have. I'm hoping that my expensive HG UQ will last for many years as well, to me it will be good value if I can use it for a long time and not have to spend that money again any time soon.

[MarkH]

I like the one Haydes suggested, but still not sure I would ever use it properly.

It is a good tent, not so much for parking a bike in (I suspect most people would decide not to, like me) but having an area that you can stand in sheltered from rain, get dressed in, sit in, cook in, eat in, etc. that is what makes that tent good to have.

My suggestion for someone with a small crappy tent is this:
Consider the size & weight of tent you are willing to take on the bike.
If the Redverz is a bit much then look at a smaller lighter tent, but with a reasonable sized vestibule that you can at least sit in & cook in (if you cook while camping).
For summer time I have found that the cheap tents with only 1 door are shit, you want two doors so that you can open both and have a breeze blowing through - this is a VERY important feature in hot weather!

Of course a hammock is the best in hot weather, much more versatility in the tarp setup to provide shade and allow air through. But a tent with 2 doors pitched with one door facing the wind and both open will be pretty good.

[eldog]

It is a good tent, not so much for parking a bike in (I suspect most people would decide not to, like me) but having an area that you can stand in sheltered from rain, get dressed in, sit in, cook in, eat in, etc. that is what makes that tent good to have.

at least sit in & cook in (if you cook while camping).
For summer you want two doors so that you can open both and have a breeze blowing through - this is a VERY important feature in hot weather!.

Not sure if I would cook when camping.
Never camped properly before - just the odd tent, sleep out, marae visit when everything was laidout and you got told what to do - no problem.

I see the benefit of this tent or Fly like Azkle suggested.

If I was purchasing it would be this tent. I am unlikely to be in snow so not worried about that.

Looking at something so I can rest up without having to get motel accommodation $$$, although every now and then its nice.

Got other stuff to do first so will keep this in mind.

[nzspokes]

Bivi Bag. Sorted.

[eldog]

Bivi Bag. Sorted.

Does it have room for 3?

googled it. Good review - something to think about.

http://thenextchallenge.org/comparison-best-bivi-bags/

[scumdog]

yeah well, unless the rain is coming at you sideways, fly camping is fairly protected, a good groundmat, beeping slag and you're sorted.
if you pin two edges of the fly to thte ground and lift the other corner you have wind/rain protection on 3 sides, if you park your bike in the opening, the warmth off the engine will keep you toasty until you're asleep.
.

Doesn't appear you've experienced some good ol' Southern weather or you wouldn't be offering that advice.

[eldog]

Doesn't appear you've experienced some good ol' Southern weather.

Does it always rain on the west coast?

do I have to worry about heavy rain if I tour down that way in Autumn/Spring/summer

hadn't really thought about snow.

Us Aklders don't know about bad weather we just complain just the same.

[Tazz]

Does it always rain on the west coast?

do I have to worry about heavy rain if I tour down that way in Autumn/Spring/summer

hadn't really thought about snow.

Us Aklders don't know about bad weather we just complain just the same.

No, but the annual rainfall is probably over double that of Auckland. When it rains it's generally a proper, drown while you're walkin to the pub, rain. Not so much of a drizzle then sun again affair.

Snow only if you're up a hill.

[Tazz]

Bivi Bag. Sorted.

Have you ever used one? Condensation in them is pretty bad as well as all the other major disadvantages. They have their place but there is a reason why they're not all that popular.