Best Tent For Motorcycle Camping In 2023

Getting out on the roads all day on your bike is one of the ultimate ways to see the world! The freedom, the speed, and the flexibility are all part of the big attractions of bike road trips.

Camping gives you the freedom to sleep where the road takes you but what is the best tent for motorcycle camping?

We’ve checked out motorcycle camping tents that pack down small as well as specially designed tents that include room for your bike! Have a look at what we found!

The best tents for motorcycle camping are:

1. ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2-Person Tent – Best Overall
2. Lone Rider MotoTent V2 2 Person Tent – Best Premium Motorbike Tent
3. REI Co-Op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent – Most Durable Tent
4. REI Co-Op Passage 2 Tent – Best Budget Tent
5. MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Tent – Best Backpacking Tent
6. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL Tent (1/2/3/4 Person)
7. Harley-Davidson 4 Person Dome Tent With Motorcycle Storage – Most Comfortable Tent
8. Coleman Hooligan Backpacking Tent (2/3/4 Person)

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Individual product comparison

🏆 Smallest packed tent

This Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 1/2/3 person tent is a two-pole, free-standing, with two vestibules under the fly for gear storage and will have people talking about its unusual hexagon shape.

The inner tent has fully meshed for fantastic ventilation and insect-free sleeping while the fly has a 1500 hydrostatic head rating that resists water.

A nice lightweight tent ( 5lbs 5oz / 2.8kgs) with a packed size of 6.5” x 19” that should fit in most Panniers.

The Zephyr is quite a small tent so not the first choice for two people, especially if you are more on the cuddly side. It’s quite comfortable for one but if you’re planning on sleeping two people, it’s best if you really like each other!

ALPS make good quality tents and this one is the same. It’s well made with sealed seams, inverted stitching, strong flexible poles, and a good waterproof rating. This is a tent we would expect to last for years.

The floor feels quite thin for some people so a sleeping mat or a footprint might make a difference to the longevity of the flooring.

Overall this is a tent best for solo riders who don’t need a lot of space for sleeping but appreciate decent quality.

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With a built-in canopy to conceal your bike from curious eyes, the Lone Rider MotoTent V2 protects you from the elements with its unique design.

It sleeps two people as well as offers peace of mind knowing that your bike is close by, protected, and concealed.

The tent is quick and easy to set up in around seven minutes and roomy enough for a single rider to spend all day inside it.

A high-quality groundsheet is included that fits perfectly under both the tent and the bike.

The tunnel design helps make this the lightest tent/bike canopy combination on the market with a packed weight of only 12lbs (5.4kgs) that includes the poles, fly, tent inner, guylines, and stuff sack.

The large vestibule allows you to store your gear and leave plenty of room in the sleeping area. The inner tent is detachable which leaves you the outer tent as a garage in case you need it.

A person can stand up in the motorcycle canopy part making maintenance easier in the rain and the rear door exit makes it easy to enter and exit even with the bike fully zipped inside.

This tent was designed by riders for riders and it shows in the additional extras, reflective guy lines, small portable design, and tent pegs for any environment.

Overall – Perfect tent for riders who don’t like to have their bike exposed, want to sleep two people, and like large vestibules for their gear.

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A very roomy two-person tent the REI Half Dome 2/3 person tent will be just what you are looking for if you like space to spread out at night.

Its super light (3lbs 13oz) sets up easily and boasts living space for two people and their gear inside. The vertical wall gives more headspace and the light blue color is lovely to wake up to each morning.

The two large D-shaped doors give you easy access on either side of the tent for each sleeper to have their own access and it increases the ventilation when it’s hot. The rainfly design allows the ends to be rolled up to enjoy breezes and views but roll down quickly if a storm is on its way.

A really nice feature is the loops and pockets on the inside so you can organize the things you’ll need easily and it’s big enough for a queen-sized air mattress for double comfort.

The footprint comes attached to the tent simplifying the setup but making it slightly heavier than the standard backpacker’s tent but perfect for motorcycle riders who don’t mind the extra few pounds that give you a waterproof base to sleep on.

Overall – It is a good solid tent with plenty of room for two although slightly heavier than similar tents with footprints.

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This REI Co-op Passage 1 / 2 person tent has a very simple set up making it great when you arrive at your campsite late and aren’t in the mood to struggle with anything complex.

It’s a cozy two-person tent, so make sure you know each other fairly well before you squeeze into it. Solo travelers will enjoy the space inside.

The double vestibules give you space to store wet boots and allow access from either side of the tent or to enjoy the view and breezes.

It’s not a complicated tent with a lot of extras but it’s solid, well constructed, and has loops and pockets for storing things inside.

This tent is fairly lightweight with a trail weight of just 4lbs 2 oz and packs down to 8×18 inches and includes both a floor and a footprint with it.

It performs well in the wet but not the cold so it’s a tent to use from Spring to Autumn. In the summer you can take off the fly for a glorious view of the night sky to fall asleep under.

Overall – this is a budget-friendly simple rugged two-person tent that works well for motorcycle campers.

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This two-door three-season MSR Hubba Hubba 1/2/3 person tent is perfect for motorcycling camping trips. It’s robust and reliable, just like the rest of the product lines from this brand.

You can leave either the tent or the fly at home if you are expecting fine weather for your trip as each of them can be put up independently in the summer or together when the weather turns wet and cold.

It’s a very light tent at 3.5lbs (2.3kgs) and packs down extremely small (7.7 x 19.3 x 4.4 inches) and will fit into side saddles easily for motorcycling campers.

The fly doesn’t go all the way to the ground which really helps with condensation and keeps you dry when it’s colder and for increased ventilation on hotter days.

The double doors are great so each person can get in and out of their side of the tent and the vestibule creates a storage space for each person.

Overall – A three-season freestanding tent, this minimalist shelter lends itself very well to the Motorcycle camper’s requirements.

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The latest Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1/2/3/4 person tent has been fully redesigned and upgraded. This tent is made from proprietary materials and hardware to create an ultralight (1.5kgs) tent that packs down quite small but has all the benefits of a heavier tent.

This tent will be perfect for a couple riding together who have a bit of gear they want to store in the tent with them as it has two vestibules.

The internal storage pockets work well for people stuck inside the tent because of the rain. There are overhead storage pockets, media pockets with holes for cords as well as a mezzanine bin type storage for bigger things.

The shape of the tent requires pre-bent poles that could be a bit tricky to store in some setups but it’s worth it for the extra space and strength that they provide.

It has a very simple and intuitive setup, especially with the color-coded poles and the cheerful color makes it easy to find no matter where you camp!

Overall – This is a high-quality tent that packs down super small for those where space is an issue.

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A tent made for the proud biker, the Harley Davidson 4 person dome tent sleeps four people and your motorbike comfortably.

The fly has been specifically adapted to fully enclose a motorcycle along with the tent and can be removed if you don’t need it. It’s a roomy space with one user stating he had three bikes in it on one trip.

It has lots of mesh panels in the ceiling to help with breathability and has both front and rear doors for easy access and ventilation.

Tents that include a cover for the bike are always going to have more steps to put up than a standard tent, but you have the peace of mind of knowing that the bike is protected from the weather and tucked away from curious eyes.

Like other Harley-Davidson products, this is a high-quality tent that has all the features you would expect from a prestige brand like seam seals,

This is not the smallest packed tent at 24” x 10” x 10 and not the lightest at 12lbs, but you can get your expensive bike out of the hail if you need to with this tent. It’s best to set the tent up over the bikes rather than put them in afterward.

Overall – a good quality tent with lots of space and the features you would expect from a brand like Harley Davidson.

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This tent is not built for bikers specifically, but it comes with qualities that they are looking for. The Coleman Hooligan 2/3/4 person tent has a vestibule for wet riding gear and has plenty of room for two riders to sleep inside.

It’s a fairly heavy tent (11.8lbs) but it is easy and quick (about 10 minutes) to put up. The tent also packs down small and is easy to carry. The dome shape is great in windy conditions and the inner mesh is great for ventilation in the summer.

It’s a great waterproof tent for those days that you’ll be riding in the rain. With taped seams, coated polyester fabric, a waterproof floor, zipper cuffs, and a rainfly that covers the doors and windows, this tent will do well enough in most bad weather but isn’t as hardy as some of the more expensive options.

In summer the inner tent is practically all mesh which has the advantage of great insect-free breezes in the heat and condensation fighting breeze in the damp.

The side entrance in the rainfly vestibule does a great job of keeping the weather out but causes a bit of concern for others who are larger or less flexible to get down and inside the tent.

This is a very roomy tent and people who buy this tent comment on how much room it has for all their gear. It has a headroom of 4’10” so feels light and airy if you have to spend a day inside because of the rain.

Overall – a great 3-season tent for this price and performance, but you shouldn’t expect it to last forever.

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Our rating criteria for evaluating Motocamping tents

Motocamping specific features

In this section, we are looking for a place to store our riding gear either in the tent with us or in the vestibule outside, a place to hang and dry gear like jackets and pants and poles that pack down under 16 inches.

We also like a tent that hides your pride and joy from curious eyes and sticky fingers when we are out and about on our bikes.

Tents that are made specifically for moto campers do all this and we would recommend the Lone Rider Moto Tent and the Harley Davidson Dome Tent if the only time you will use the tent is when you are out on the bike.

Perfect packed size for panniers

When it comes to packed size, the poles are the thing that often sticks out and won’t fit in your storage boxes. Get a tent that has shorter poles. It will be much easier to pack them than longer ones. Poles that are under 16 inches (45cm) are going to fit in most saddlebags or panniers.

The ALPS Zephyr is the tent with the shortest poles in this lineup.

Tent	Packed sizein	Packed size cm	Weight lbs	Weight kgs
Lone Rider	24 x 8	60×20	12 lbs	5.44 kgs
Coleman	24 x 7 x 7	61 x 18 x 18	12 lbs	5.44 kgs
REI	7 x 20.5	18 x 52.07	3 lbs 15 oz.	1.4 kgs
ALPS	6.5 x 19	16.5 x 48.2	5 lbs 11 oz	2.6 kgs
Harley Davidson	24 x 10 x 10	60 x 25.5 x 25.5	12 lbs	5.44 kgs
MSR	7.7 x 19 x 4.4	19.5 x 48.2 x 11.2	3 lbs 8 oz	1.59 kgs
Big Agnes	21 x 6 x 6	53 x 15 x 15	3 lbs 8 oz	1.59 kgs
Co-op	8 x 18	20.3 x 45.7	4 lbs 2 oz	1.87 kgs

Simple setups for weary riders

Camping is only fun if you can get your shelter up quickly and easily. Fighting with a complicated tent or not having instructions to follow is no fun on a camping trip. So simple intuitive tents are what we are looking for here.

Some motorcycle tents are much harder to set up than a normal ground tent so make sure you get other features that make the time spent setting it up well worth it.

We think the Lone Rider is the fastest motorcycle tent and the REI Half Dome tent is the easiest set up for separate backpacking tents.

Most comfortable and spacious moto camping tent

Height and space are the two biggest things that make motorcycle tents so comfortable. As long as you have a decent-sized tent you are able to have all your expensive gear with you while you sleep. Many backpacking tents are perfect for moto camping trips because of their small packed size.

Some motorcycle camping tents are tall enough for shorter people to stand up in which makes it easier to get changed and to move things around inside. Loops or hooks in the roof for lamps and fans and pockets to organize small things all add to the comfort levels of a tent.

Windows that can be half or quarter zippered will allow you to adjust the temperature inside the Motorcycle tent and having more than one door allows you to exit and enter whether the bike is in residence or not.

We think you’ll find the Harley Davidson Dome tent the most spacious and comfortable of the motorcycle tents we have reviewed.

Waterproof and windproof motorcycling tents

High-quality motorcycle tents that are made with strong waterproof stitching, have seam seals and a fly that drains rain off the side are what we are looking for in a waterproof and windproof motorcycle tent.

A high waterproof rating for your tent means that it will stand up to rain. The hydrostatic head ratings should preferably be above 1200 to keep light or moderate rain out. Once that rating is achieved, quality is the next most important factor in having a good weatherproof rating for your tent.

A waterproof motorcycle tent will have strong stitching, seam sealing, and well-positioned poles and ropes that keep your tent taut in the wind. Waterproof zips on doors and windows will give you the option of switching between waterproofing and ventilation as needed.

A waterproof motorcycle tent will have a vestibule or an awning to help protect the front of the tent so you can have a rain-free spot to keep your camping gear dry and allow you to take off wet shoes and jackets before you get inside the motorcycle tent.

If you know you will be camping in adverse weather, grab the Lone Rider Moto Tent with its 3000 Hydrostatic Head waterproof rating. We know it will keep you warm and dry in a storm.

Ventilation to avoid the summer heat

Park in the shade if you can and open all the windows when you are outdoors in summer and remember if your motorcycle tent is set up in the baking heat you will be pretty uncomfortable.

Comfortable motorcycle tents have windows or vents on opposite sides to create a cross breeze on hot days. Make sure they all unzip from the inside and have mesh to let the breeze in but keep the bugs out! Open the door as well and let more breeze through the mesh panels.

Go for a lighter color motorcycle tent that reflects the light if you know you’ll be in places with a lot of sunshine and not a lot of shade.

If ventilation is important to your camping experience, we’d get the Big Agnes Copper Spur tent.

Durability for years of camping

Purchase a motorcycle tent that will last as long as you plan to have the bike. Get a high-quality tent with good quality fabric, seam seals, a waterproof rainfly, and branded parts that have a good reputation if you plan to be camping well into your next decade!

Repairable parts like tent poles and stakes are great to prolong the life of a motorcycle tent. Make sure that you waterproof it every few years and always store it folded and dry. Wet tents will get moldy in winter in any kind of storage.

Quality is the key to durability. Usually, the more you pay, often the better quality you should get, and the longer a motorcycle tent will last if you care for it.

We like tough tent fabric, branded replaceable parts, and a high waterproof rating. These signs of quality should mean your motorcycle tent will last longer.

We think the Lone Rider Moto Tent is the most durable for those that plan to use their bike with a tent frequently or the ALPS Zephyr for the most durable stand-alone tent.

Best cheap tent for motorcycle camping with good value for money

A motorcycle tent that is good value for money is one that has lots of features that you need and will use for your hard-earned cash. We like features such as a high roof, bike covering ability, meshed windows, and vents to control airflow and condensation.

Aluminum or carbon fiber poles are strong, light, and long-lasting and will also give you the best bang for your buck.

We like a design that will keep you and your sleeping bag warm, dry, and comfortable inside your motorcycle tent no matter the weather. Waterproofing like waterproof zip flaps, seam sealing, and a design that sends rain straight off the edge of your motorcycle instead of pooling on the roof or getting into the motorcycle parking area are qualities we like to see.

The best tent on this list for those on a budget is the REI Co-op Passage 2 tent.

Choosing the right tent by capacity

Our favorite tent for solo motorcycle camping is the Big Agnes with its easy setup and roomy interior for the rider and all their gear.

However, if there are two of you, our top motorcycle tent for a couple is the Harley Davidson 4-person Dome tent that can be used with or without the bike extension.

Tent	Capacity
Lone Rider Moto Tent	Couple or roomy single
Coleman	Roomy two-person or giant solo
REI	Roomy two-person or giant solo
ALPS Zephyr	Good solo or very cozy double
Harley Davidson	Four people or a very roomy couple
MSR	Good single but a tight fit for two
Big Agnes	Roomy two-person or giant solo
Co-op	Good single but a tight fit for two

Easiest tent to set up and take down

If speed and simplicity are what you are after, try any of the quality backpacking tents like the REI Half Dome or the MSR Hubba Hubba. They are all quick and easy tents to put up and tear down with an average of under 6 minutes and very few parts to put together.

Performance in bad weather

Top waterproof motorcycle tents for heavy rain

Looking to camp in the rain? Then grab the Lone Rider Moto Tent. It has the best weatherproof tent on this list with a hydrostatic head rating of 3000. Or if you prefer a separate tent, the ALPS Zephyr tent will definitely keep you dry.

Which tents will hold up in strong winds?

Dome tents usually do really well in the wind. If you know there will be wind where you plan to camp, we suggest the ALPS Zephyr as it’s got a low profile and we think it’s the best performer in the wind.

Ventilation and best performance in summer

How hot can it get in Summer? You can make things more comfortable with the MSR Hubba Hubba tent and take advantage of its full mesh inner tent to keep the breeze flowing and the insects out.

Do any of these tents protect or cover the motorcycle?

Tent	Cover the motorcycle	Vestibule for gear
Lone Rider	Yes	Yes
Coleman	No	Yes
REI	No	Yes
ALPS	No	Yes
Harley Davidson	Yes	Yes
MSR	No	Yes
Big Agnes	No	Yes
Co-op	No	Yes

FAQ

A final word on Moto Camping

To finish our review – if you love moto camping, grab the Alps Mountaineering Zephyr tent!

Happy Camping! 😊