BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Anyone have recommendations for a good, solid, lightweight, somewhat inexpensive 4-6 man tent that would allow one to have a separate compartment for one's gear, boots, etc.?? Also, how about those tents that allow you to park your bike underneath?? [good/bad/too much bother] Eureka seems to be a good brand, however, read good/bad reviews.

Also, would like to have the ability to charge a portable battery using solar panels (would like to place these on the back of the bike while I ride and charge up a device one can plug into a 110 outlet. For example, would like to charge up a portable battery using solar panels so that at night when I get to a camp site, I have a fully charged battery. Anyone? ChiTown?

Thanks in advance.

I have seen these tents up close and they are the coolest new thing going.
At our rally, a guy and gal built a small apartment with one of these.
(Queen size air mattress, dressing area with chairs, etc.)

http://nomadtent.com/

The packed size is a lot larger than the standard 3-4 person tent though.

On the second issue, I got a friend with a motorcycle camper, and he has these folding solar panels, and a US Army issue battery box with a battery in it. He charges the battery before his trip, and the solar panels keep it juiced.

He can rig up Xmas lights (he did at the MOA Wisconsin rally).
Enough juice to run a PC with a broadband card for a while.

Not sure if these are the same, but they look a lot like them.

http://www.affordable-solar.com/solar.portable.htm.

I keep thinking the "motorcycle garage" tents look sooooo cool. Then I think about the m/c tipping over (soft ground, high wind, etc.), and I think I'd like a put little more distance between us (not that I've ever had, or seen, that happen...). Just sayin'.

Eureka tents are the bomb. I used a Timberline for a few camping trips. Very comfy, plenty of room. But a little too much packing size and weight.

Now I'm using an REI Quarter Dome (2 man), and I like it just fine. I'd like a little more vestibule size, but I used it a couple of times for week-long camping and there was really enough room, though a bit cramped once I get my sidebags, seat bag, ATGATT gear and boots inside or under the vesti. Cozy, to put a positive spin on it. I got the REI tent on SALE, with an additional20% off coupon, and with my REI-member kickback---the price was under $100, so that part was b1tchin'. Shop the sales!

I re-read the original post and realized angellr was looking for a "4–6 man" tent. I was about to recommend he look at this tent for sale in our own For Sale department
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21895
but, my earlier comments and this tent definitely don't fulfill the 4–6 man requirement. My Eureka Timberline would meet the requirement.

So let me say, the Timberline is a great tent. Great for 3 season use, easy to set up, roomy, etc. Just too heavy and bulky for my commuting taste.
http://store.eurekatent.com/category/20777/Tents

I found the best prices at Campmor, where I bought mine, but I have not done a recent price-comparative search.

+1 for Eureka tents. I used a Eureka Mountain Pass for years and was very satisfied with it. Served me well, and kept me dry through three hurricanes. Replaced it with a Eureka Marine Combat tent that I expect to out perform the Mountain Pass.

For motorcycle camping (as opposed to mountaineering, backpacking or winter camping), a Eureka or Kelty either one should serve you well. We are looking at a Kelty Grand Mesa 4 for our son to use for car camping with his friends, unless some post-Christmas sale on an REI tent pops up. But beware, some tents have skimpy rain flys that offer no space underneath. You need a rain fly with enough vestibule room to keep your boots, wet gear, saddlebags, etc. outside.

I would look at a separate tarp for the bike. It can also be used for shade or rain protection over your picnic table. What duckdave said about the bike falling over is a consideration. As is the proximity of 5 gallons of gas near your tent entrance. Sort of limits the ability of cooking in the vestibule during a rain storm!

No help on the charger but will be interested to check out some of the recommendations. If I use my new Droid for a GPS, the old trick of killing the phone between stops to save the battery will no longer work!

Edited to add: After studying the tents at Campmor.com, I believe I will start looking for a Kelty Gunnison 4.1 for my son instead of the Grand Mesa. 2 doors, 2 vestibules and easier in and out!

Tent: I've always like the Eureka tents too, but I love my Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. It's a solo tent that's been with me for 15+ years through summers in the appalachians and winters in the Rockies. Can't speak enough about SD's quality.
Sierra Designs makes a 4-person, the Lightning XT 4 (http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-127-lightning-xt-4.aspx).
It won a Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award. Bomb proof, light weight, and enough room for 4 with a full vestibule. A bit pricey though, so it depends on what your budget will take.
Bottom line advice: I'd look for gear tents for "ultralight backpacking" since space and weight on a motorcycle are also precious commodities.

angellr wrote: Also, would like to have the ability to charge a portable battery using solar panels (would like to place these on the back of the bike while I ride and charge up a device one can plug into a 110 outlet. For example, would like to charge up a portable battery using solar panels so that at night when I get to a camp site, I have a fully charged battery. Anyone? ChiTown?

Thanks in advance.

Although the solar panels are a possible solution, wouldn't it be better to simply charge a second 12v battery as you ride along ? What exactly are you planning to power when you camp for the night ? I have a 12v charger for my laptop which would give me 3 hours of runtime on just the basic charge. If I was carrying a spare 12v battery I think it would run a really lomg time. The BMW alternator is really robust and would not work up a sweat charging a second battery. I'm planning to electrify my tankbag to give me extra ports to charge all my gadgets, My smartphone in particular is a battery hog that needs frequent charging, but I'll also be able to charge the Ipod, etc.

Airman wrote:

angellr wrote: Also, would like to have the ability to charge a portable battery using solar panels (would like to place these on the back of the bike while I ride and charge up a device one can plug into a 110 outlet. For example, would like to charge up a portable battery using solar panels so that at night when I get to a camp site, I have a fully charged battery. Anyone? ChiTown?

Thanks in advance.

Although the solar panels are a possible solution, wouldn't it be better to simply charge a second 12v battery as you ride along ? What exactly are you planning to power when you camp for the night ? I have a 12v charger for my laptop which would give me 3 hours of runtime on just the basic charge. If I was carrying a spare 12v battery I think it would run a really lomg time. The BMW alternator is really robust and would not work up a sweat charging a second battery. I'm planning to electrify my tankbag to give me extra ports to charge all my gadgets, My smartphone in particular is a battery hog that needs frequent charging, but I'll also be able to charge the Ipod, etc.

I have a severe case of sleep apnea where I would like to be able to power my BiPAP machine at night along with a few other items (cellphone, etc.) and CAMP. One thing I am going to try and do is get a portable hammock which would allow me to sleep without the machine (would sleep at least at a 45 degree angle). All-in-all, am trying to do what I can on the cheap.

Another option would be the 1.7lb batteries in the r1200r thread and put two on the bike and do what you suggest - don't know about this yet.

angellr wrote:

Airman wrote:

angellr wrote: Also, would like to have the ability to charge a portable battery using solar panels (would like to place these on the back of the bike while I ride and charge up a device one can plug into a 110 outlet. For example, would like to charge up a portable battery using solar panels so that at night when I get to a camp site, I have a fully charged battery. Anyone? ChiTown?

Thanks in advance.

Although the solar panels are a possible solution, wouldn't it be better to simply charge a second 12v battery as you ride along ? What exactly are you planning to power when you camp for the night ? I have a 12v charger for my laptop which would give me 3 hours of runtime on just the basic charge. If I was carrying a spare 12v battery I think it would run a really lomg time. The BMW alternator is really robust and would not work up a sweat charging a second battery. I'm planning to electrify my tankbag to give me extra ports to charge all my gadgets, My smartphone in particular is a battery hog that needs frequent charging, but I'll also be able to charge the Ipod, etc.

I have a severe case of sleep apnea where I would like to be able to power my BiPAP machine at night along with a few other items (cellphone, etc.) and CAMP. One thing I am going to try and do is get a portable hammock which would allow me to sleep without the machine (would sleep at least at a 45 degree angle). All-in-all, am trying to do what I can on the cheap.

Another option would be the 1.7lb batteries in the r1200r thread and put two on the bike and do what you suggest - don't know about this yet.

Your machine is 110vac then ? You're taking about powering an inverter to run it ? If that's the case, I am even more inclined suggest you pack a dry cell 12v motorcycle battery someplace and charge it on the road.