Motorcycle camping tents offer a dynamic experience by enhancing the user's freedom. They allow you to set up camp quickly and anywhere, whether beside a highway or far away from civilization.
If you're planning an extended vacation, tour, or even a round-the-world expedition on a budget, you may decide to camp often, as booking a hotel at every point in your trip may not be cost-effective.
There’s a wide range of mobile shelters that have been engineered specifically for motorcyclists and their bikes. Here, we’ll discuss the best motorcycle camping tents and factors to explore when shopping for one.
Our Top Picks
Here are the best six motorcycle camping tents available in Australia. We categorise them to help you easily decide which best suits your needs.
- MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Tent: Best Overall Motorcycle Tent
- Wild Country Zephyros Compact Tent: Best Lightweight Motorcycle Tent
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL Tent: Best Summer Motorcycle Tent
- ALPS Mountaineering Compact Tent: Best One-Person Motorcycle Tent
- Harley-Davidson Dome Tent: Most Comfortable Motorcycle Ten
- Coleman Hooligan Motorcycle Tent: Best Budget Motorcycle Tent
Not convinced of your best option? Read our in-depth product reviews and comparisons below to understand better what each product offers.
How We Rated
These factors below greatly improve the quality and experience of your outdoor experience. We ranked all the tents we evaluated against the following factors.
- Weight: For hiking and trekking, a lightweight tent is extremely crucial. They make hiking a lot more comfortable and enjoyable. This is heavily reliant on the build material and tent size. While some options are a little heavier than this, the best lightweight hiking tents weigh less than 2 kg.
- Ease of setup: Hiking, while fun, is a tiring activity. Thus, it's important to have a tent that is easy to set up. The last thing any hiker wants to do is spend several hours putting up a tent in the dark. The best hiking tents are very cleverly designed and easy to use.
- Versatility: What other use case exists for your hiking tent besides hiking? Can it be used as a tent for short hiking trips, multi-day hiking trips, or just camping? A good allrounder can be used for all three.
Now, to the best 6 motorcycle tents available in Australia.
Top 6 Motorcycle Tents In Australia: In-Depth Reviews
Having evaluated many motorcycle-compatible tents in Australia. Here are the best 6 for your motorcycle camping and outdoor adventures.
1. MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2
Best Overall Motorcycle Camping Tent
Ease of setup: 9/10
Versatility: 9/10
The MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 is a fantastic tent developed for backpacking and mountaineering. Redesigned and lighter than ever, MSR's best-selling 3-season Hubba Hubba is one of the most livable backpacking tents. As a dome tent, it’s very roomy inside with dimensions of 213 x 127 x 101 cm. It includes two spacious side-entry vestibules for storing gear and a true rectangular floor plan. All while weighing only 1.47 kg with a packed dimension of 46 x 15 cm.
One of the most significant advantages of the Hubba Hubba is that it’s freestanding. This means you don’t need to peg it in to erect it. It comes with a full-featured rainfly with one large StayDry door with a built-in rain gutter and kickstand vent for extra ventilation. The motorcycle camping tent uses a Waterproof DuraShield fabric coating and taped seams to keep you comfortably safe during whatever kind of weather.
Because the tent is made of mesh, you can remove the sheet in warm weather and gaze at the stars on a dark warm night. You can also use the outer fly sheet and the poles for a quick shelter without the inner body tent. This feature is handy on the beach and in travelling in extreme conditions.
Pros
- Quick setup
- Can be used anywhere and on any terrain
- Two large doors for easy movement
- Removable flysheet for hot days
- See-through inner mesh
- Ultra-light and compact
Cons
- Footprint sold separately
- Small for dual use
2. Wild Country Zephyros Compact Tent
Best Lightweight Motorcycle Camping Tent
Ease of setup: 8/10
Versatility: 7.5/10
Wild Country Zephyros Compact tent allows you to enjoy camping with maximum protection. Weighing only 1.57 kg, the 1-person tunnel tent is one of the best lightweight motorcycle tents available in Australia. It has a packed dimension of 30 x 18 cm and a sleeping floor dimension of 220 x 106 cm, which is roomy enough to fit a 6 feet adult.
The tent uses mesh panels in the top half of the zipped inner door and at each end of the inner tent to help with airflow and manage condensation. Its wind-cheating design and lightweight, foldable 8.5 mm Superflex alloy poles add to its stability and give more room for one person to sleep. Plus, it incorporates Aqua Stop P5000 Groundsheet Fabric to safeguard the tent's floor. To store, only roll the tent up and secure the drawstring on the side entrance bag.
Wild Country's super lightweight tent comes with a zipped entrance in the flysheet that provides access to the porch section of the tent and is a wonderful place to store equipment and footwear. This tent is perfect for solo backpacking trips thanks to its lightweight and robust compact design. The design, however, requires pegging out as it is not freestanding.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Not a perfect fit for harsh weather
3. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL Tent
Best Summer Motorcycle Tent
Ease of setup: 9/10
Versatility: 8/10
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2-person tent has undergone a complete overhaul. The new model is a lightweight tent (1.4 kg) that folds down to a very compact size (50 x 15 cm) and has all the advantages of a bigger tent, thanks to its patented materials and build quality.
Its high-volume design provides ample living space in this freestanding structure. The awning-style vestibules can be customized to expand your living area, which protects you against rain drizzles or the sun. It features two doors and two vestibules with a quick stash door-keeper, making stowing unzipped doors fast and easy. When deployed, it has a floor area of 2.7 sqm, two interior mesh pockets, and one oversized mesh pocket.
The 3-season tent also has smooth-closing, dual-zipper doors with easy-grip pull, allowing easy entry, exit, and quick access. It also comes with reflective guylines and webbing on tent corners, making it easy to see at night.
Pros
- Very spacious
- Lightweight
Cons
- Fly is liable to leaks when not closed properly
- Extended footprint sold separately
4. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent
Best One-Person Motorcycle Tent
Ease of setup: 9/10
Versatility: 8/10
The ALPS Mountaineering Compact Tent1 is a high-quality one-person tent that can withstand even the worst weather conditions. It has #8 zippers, storage pockets, UV-resistant fly, gear loft, stakes, guy ropes, and one doorway. It also uses weatherproof fly buckles for maximum adjustability and protection, and the floor is adequately coated for wet weather conditions.
The ALPS tent is comfortable to sleep in thanks to its large mesh walls, which help improve your ventilation within the tent. It is easy to assemble as it's freestanding and features an aluminium two-pole design. The tent has one door and a vestibule, which is enough for a single-person tent.
When packed, the 3-season tent has 43 x 15 cm dimensions, making it easy to carry around. It also only weighs 2.26 kg. And when deployed, the polyester and mesh motorcycle tent has an interior height of 91 cm and dimensions of 228.6 x 81.3 cm. The vestibule area is also 0.93 sqm.
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Best suited for one person
Cons
- Fly is susceptible to leaks
- It's a bit narrow
5. Harley-Davidson Dome Tent
Most Comfortable Motorcycle Tent
Ease of setup: 7/10
Versatility: 9/10
The Harley-Davidson Dome tent is made for group adventure; it can comfortably accommodate four people and your motorbike. It has both front and rear doors for easy access and ventilation. It includes big front and back mesh doors that offer excellent bug and insect protection and can be closed entirely for privacy with internal storm flaps.
The dome tent's breathable mesh roof panels provide you with ventilation in warm weather. Its reinforced floor seams offer superior weather resistance, and the double-wall tent's waterproof rainfly improves visibility on cloudy days. Unsurprisingly, the 4-person tent is the heaviest on our list at 5.4 kg. When packed, it has dimensions of 30.5 x 51 cm; thus, it's relatively easy to carry around.
The nylon tent's vestibule is specifically designed for motorcycle storage in the campground and is removable. The Harley-Davidson 4-Person Dome tent offers a comfortable night's sleep for you and your bike.
Pros
- Purpose-built
- Very spacious
Cons
- It can be difficult to set up.
6. Coleman Hooligan Motorcycle Tent
Best Budget Motorcycle Tent
Ease of setup: 8/10
Versatility: 9/10
If you're on a tight budget, the Coleman Hooligan 2-person motorbike tent is your best option. It includes the essential features necessary for almost any kind of motorcycle adventure. Coleman comes with a snag-free continuous pole sleeve which erects in just ten minutes. It's built with a mesh interior that encourages air circulation to keep you cool and comfortable, and its small dome is made to resist windy conditions.
The budget-friendly tent can hold three camp pads in its 213 x 236 cm interior. It combines this with a fully enclosed vestibule, adding additional storage space while assisting with interior moisture control. The motorcycle tent also features a WeatherTec system with proprietary welded floors and inverted seams to keep water out and a full rainfly extending to the ground for improved weather protection and keeping you dry.
When packed, the Coleman Hooligan Motorcycle Tent has 61 x 18 cm dimensions and weighs 3.18 kg. And while its one-door can limit free movement for a two-person tent, you get a waterproof, synthetic build tent that allows you to watch the night sky without getting unwanted company from insects.
Pros
- Durable
- Affordable
- Mesh inner for good ventilation
Cons
- Unfit for extreme weather
How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Tent
Choosing a motorcycle tent requires being more specific on some factors than others. Here are the crucial factors to consider for your ideal tent option.
- Comfort and Space: Height and space are the two most important things that make motorcycle tents comfortable. As long as you have a decent-sized tent, you are able to have all your expensive gear with you while you sleep. Consider your height and storage space when deciding on comfort and space.
- Waterproof or Windproof Material: Your tent will withstand rain if it has a high waterproof rating. Storms are unpredictable in Australia, with sudden downpours very common. You don’t want to be woken up at night with water dripping into your tent.
- Quality: The quality and durability of a motorbike tent will be significantly influenced by the materials used to build it. Inferior build results in a difficult tent setup, increased risk of accidentally breaking the tent, and frustratingly weak pegs, poles, and zippers. Usually, the more you pay, the better quality you should get.
- Ventilation: Gasping for fresh air while drained in your sweat is not a pleasing experience. Tents with mesh builds and vents are excellent for ventilation and stargazing on clear nights. They also help avoid condensation on the inside of your tent.
- Season: Some weather conditions suit some tents more than others. A three-season is more than adequate if you intend to only camp in warmer weather. However, we recommended 4-season tents for all-season camping trips as they are more capable of withstanding harsh weather.
- Price: While it is tempting to choose the cheapest model available, you always get what you pay for. With more expensive tents being significantly more durable and of greater quality, don't compromise quality for money; instead, strike the ideal balance between the two.
Why Trust expertEasy?
At expertEasy, we're passionate about helping you have the best camping experience possible. Our team of experts researches, tests, and evaluates products to provide reliable, unbiased, and informative reviews to help you make purchasing decisions based on facts and not sales pitches.
Our reviews are based on a combination of hands-on testing, research, and analysis of customer feedback. We update our reviews frequently based on new information or changes in product availability to ensure that you're getting the most up-to-date recommendations.
Mark
Conclusion
While buying a conventional motorcycle-specific tent is not different from buying a regular camping or backpacking tent, there are a few finer elements that are significant to evaluate before making your purchase. A lot goes into buying a tent for bike trips: it needs to be the right shape, lightweight, low-volume, durable, have space to store your riding gear, freestanding and more.
The main concern when choosing the best motorcycle tent for your adventure is finding one that fits your needs and that of your motorbike. Everything you take has to fit on your bike, so choose the right size!
If you're camping or journeying a long distance, invest in getting a tent that offers additional protection for your motorcycle. For specific outdoor activities, consider our in-depth reviews of the best hiking, lightweight family tents, and hardshell rooftop options in Australia.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}