Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
Camping - Sponsored by bikerscampsite.co.uk => Camping Equipment & Suppliers => Topic started by: Phild on September 26, 2024, 10:17:28
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I’m not new to outdoor living.
Cubs, scouts, Army, family camping, trailer tent, caravan and campervan so I’m used to the lifestyle and sourcing kit (although the last time I camped was at the Munich Beer festival about 15 years ago.🍺🍺🍺).
Having toured on our bikes for many years staying in hotels, B&B’s etc I’m now touring solo so I thought I’d give motocamping a go. I know how to pack light, and I’ve already got most of the luggage and kit I need.
I’m now in the market for a tent. From experience your shelter can make for a positive or negative experience, and I want this to be positive.
My short list is down to one so far…… Vango Galaxy 300. I know I’ll need an extra ground sheet for it, but that’s not an issue.
I’ve got a definite criteria……. I don’t want to be grovelling on the ground to get in (too long in the tooth for that), I want to be able to stand up (5’8” so no issue with the Vango there), plenty of room with the ability to fit one extra person in it should I be able to persuade my son to join me. It’s not generally going to be used as a one night stay at a time type tent or wild camping. I’ll pick a site for two to three nights and explore the area.
I’m not prepared to pay the Lone Rider cost. However, I know I’ve got to spend more than £50. Although the Vango is marked up at £300, I’ve seen it as low as £240 and hoping for better prices / offers over the winter.
Having recently paid £115 B&B for one night on the Yorkshire Moors, and £115 in Ambleside, it’s an expensive game doing B&B in the UK.
With my criteria in mind, and my maximum budget being in the lower priced Vango Galaxy 300 range, any other recommendations for me to take a look at?
Many thanks.👍
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I would happily endorse Vango, I've had probably 3 or 4 of their tents in my lifetime and they've all been really good. They sell parts as well which is a huge must for me as I'm not replacing an entire tent if a pole breaks or gets bent.
I must say the Galaxy was on my list as well but I was a little concerned about how that tall porch would deal with high winds, both in terms of strength and noise inside the sleeping area. I've seen a few out on the wild and they've been fine on rough nights though.
Alloy poles are a massive bonus, both for strentgh and weight but also ease of pitching as they don't snag on the fabric sleeves.
If standing up is your priority then the Galaxy was the only tent in my list for that feature. I went for an Omega 350 in the end for the extra porch area and lower profile but it has many of the same features and it's been utterly brilliant.
I also bought the footprint groundsheet and, in the European heatwave, we just pitched the outer over that which was very nice.
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It's a few years old now but this thread went through a few options, maybe a bit of help? :shrug:
https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=29891.0
If you have a search for 'tent' there may some more advice available somewhere.
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Thanks Mick, I’ve been through that thread. As you say, it’s a little long in the tooth now, so I thought I’d try to get some newer information.👍
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The standing or near standing is important. I’m 5’8”, so the Vango would be great for me…… my youngest lad (rides a Tracer 900) is 6’5”.🤷♂️
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Got a Galaxy 300 a couple of months ago (2nd hand & old). Used it at the beginning of the month for the 1st time after buying a new front pole.
Easyish to put up on Your own and loads of room. I'm a convert to tents wot you can stand up in - I like being able to stand up and put my trousers on :thumb:
Encountered some strong winds accompanied by heavy rain - the tent stood the tests no bother.
However, two ther users of the same make/model of tent suffered broken poles (before we got blown about). Maybe an age thing - both tents had been in use for several years.
Great tent, IMHO. Giving mine another airing this weekend down in Dumfries & Galloway.
Steve T
:sunny:
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Thanks Steve.
I’ll be on my own most of the time, but want plenty of room. I could cope with a small tent, but I don’t want to cope I want to enjoy.
I’m hoping my oversized son will join me on the odd occasion. It needs to be big enough for us both, but mainly give me plenty of room to spread out when on my own…… and as you say, be able stand to put my trousers on.👍
Enjoy your weekend.
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I’ve tried a couple bids on eBay for a used 2024 Galaxy 300 (including footprint) but with P&P it’s approaching £160.🤷♂️
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I use a Scafell 300 +, but I have two buddies who have Galaxy 300's for motocamping and they both love them.
Keep an eye on the Vango factory shop, they have ex demo and refurbished kit and you may get lucky with a Galaxy.
Link: https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/ (https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/)
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Thanks Neil.👍
The one on eBay is approaching £200. There’s another refurbished one going for £240.
I can get a new one for not much more money.🤷♂️
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This was the issue I had when planning my recent exploratory jaunt into Germany Phil. Adding the "want to be able to stand" criteria either added too much bulk or too much cost. In the end I settled for something I could sit on a chair to get dressed and cook in (in an emergency) with plenty of storage space for my gear. I was also determined to buy new based on previous longevity issues with used items. Something like the Vango Scarfell 300, Outwell Earth (which I went for as it was on sale) or Robens Pioneer series. Depends how much of an essential criteria standing is to you. I did 7 nights without an issue but it'll always be some kind of compromise I guess.
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Look at it this way though.
Vango tents are commanding silly second hand values because they last.
It also means you'd get most of your cost back if you look after it and find your not using it as much as you first thought.
Yes the cost is significant but tents are one of those things where you only realise you cheaped out when it gives up in a storm 🤣.
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Thanks people.👍
Standing or near standing is my preferred way to go, along with a good size area for kit. My intention is to use it as a ‘base’ tent, staying in one place for more than two days at a time. The weight is about 6kgs, and using the online dimensions, the Galaxy 300 will strap nicely onto the top of my 40L Held roll bag that I attach to my pillion seat.
I can buy new for £269, but saw one on another website for £234….. but you have to register and login in to get best prices. They wanted too much information for my liking, so I gave that a miss.
I’m up in Lincolnshire next week so I’ll be calling in to Go Outdoors in Lincoln. The Vango list price is £380….. if I can get one for £269 then I think I’ll be taking the plunge.
A footnote to this…… the Grandkids like the idea of going camping with Grandad.🤦♂️
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Don't forget Attwooll's in Gloucester... right on the A38 and with a nice cafe there too.
They have displays of erected tents you can look at and walk / crawl into, that's where I got my Scafell.
Check they have what you want before you make a specials trip (the cake in the cafe is excellent), or swing by if you are passing.
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Thanks Neil.
If it doesn’t work out in Lincolnshire, I’ll call in on my way home.👍
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Might be very out of your way and I don't know the Go Outdoors in Lincoln but the one in Chesterfield has a huge number of their tent range pitched up on a big mezzanine floor, it's where I went to look at various options, although granted it's pretty easy from Sheffield.
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I'm looking to replace my tent for motorcycle camping. Leading contender for me is the Khyam Loctec Dallington.
Comes with a lifetime warranty...
https://khyam.co.uk/products/loctek-dallington-3-0
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I went to the Go Outdoors at Cribbs Causeway (Bristol) last week, poor selection of tents and other stuff that I went to try and have a look at that was on their website.
The Khyam looks really good, but a bit budget busting. The Vango’s list price is £380, but I’ve seen several new ones over £100 less than that. It also comes in at twice the weight of the Vango. Although an extra 6kgs on the pillion seat wouldn’t be a massive problem.👍
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That's why I've not bought it yet to be honest. It is an excellent tent with great reviews. It's also quick pitch if you check their video.
The reviews I've read about the vango 300 have been mixed.....
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Checking the Khyam’s packed dimensions, it’s 10cm’s longer and 8cm’s wider.
Again, not the end of the world, but all to take into consideration.🤔
However, I haven’t written it off yet.👍
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Budget option…. I came across this company based in Newton Abbot.
https://www.trail.co.uk/bowden-3-man-tent-waterproof-3000mm.html
Not quite tall enough to stand in, but near enough. £249, reduced to £110.
Down side is in the pack it’s 71cm’s wide. That’s 11cm’s wider than my Trekker top box.
Funny how we become obsessed with size and weight on a bike.🤣
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I’ve taken the plunge and ordered a Vango Galaxy 300.
I’m hoping to do a few nights away this month, but at the very least I’ll be putting it up in the garden and giving all my kit a practice run.
With some discount I paid £269. If you take the tent out of the equation, for all the other stuff I’ve needed to purchase, I’ve spent about £150. That includes a new power bank for £33 (which I needed to get anyway).
I need to get a tent footprint, but I can get two 210mm x 180mm footprints (which would be ideal) for less than £25.
Once I’ve had a chance to play with it, I’ll put some feedback on here.
Thanks for all the help and advice.👍
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Know you said you'd camped before but just a reminder to make sure it's absolutely bone dry before you pack it away for anything more than a couple of days (re-pack when you get home if needs be) to avoid getting black mould spots on in particular the inside.
Near impossible to remove and one of the things to watch out for condition wise if ever buying secondhand off the likes of Ebay.
Enjoy. :)
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Thanks Endintears.👍
All my kit gets dried in the garage before being stored in a cellar, where the boiler keeps the room nice and warm.
Even though it’ll be a new tent, I’ll be giving it another spray of waterproofing as soon as I put it up as well.
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I know they cost a few quid more but I really like having the official footprint for mine, I can lay it out to get an exact idea of where the tent will sit and then use the same pegs for the flysheet, it also helps when taking the tent down to have a groundsheet to work on if the ground is wet.
The footprint is well within the peg placements on all sides as well.
Cost vs benefit though clearly, anything that makes pitching quicker and easier is worth it's weight in gold on a group trip where it goes up every night and down again, usually in a hurry, the following morning :)
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You may have convinced me about the genuine footprint….. if I can find one in stock.
Clinked on a number of websites, but when you take a look they’re out of stock. Even Vango are out of them.
I’ll have to keep an eye out for one.👍
It appears to have been discontinued.🤷♂️
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Maybe drop Vango an email, I caved imagine they'd discontinue the footprint for a currently available tent. Good hunting, and happy camping Phil.
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Email sent about 5 minutes ago.👍
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The reply to my email to Vango……. Back to plan A….. sort out one myself.🤷♂️
Hi
Thanks for contacting AMG Group Customer Service
Unfortunately, we do not have the footprint in the current range, we may be introducing this in the next coming year.
Regards,
David
AMG Customer Service
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I took delivery of my Vango Galaxy 300 today. Since the biblical rain yesterday has made my lawn a very damp sponge, instead of having a practice putting it up, I had a practice pack and stow on bike.
What you see in the photographs is almost everything I need packed and ready to go. Obviously I haven’t packed the top box as that will contain my clothing.
I’ve decided to put the tent inside one of my dry bags as it looks neater, and there’s room to put my oversuit in there.
I’ve also got a set of Lomo crash bar bags. Although I haven’t got the upper bar fitted on my 1050XT, I’ve worked out how to secure them neatly / safely to the lower crash bar.
I don’t use a tank bag.
I now know I can fit everything in for longer trips, never mind a few days.👍
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And from the rear……
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Good to go Phild. Chain oil, check engine oil, check tyres fill up with petrol and go go go. Enjoy. I went to Donnington for the GP (many times) and after putting up our tent, me and the boy, I noticed a young man sitting next to his rucksack looking a bit lost.
Turned out he was waiting for his mate to put the tent up. The young man was carrying it but didn't have a clue how to put it up. 10 minutes later I had put it up, given him a brew and enjoyed the moment. It's nice to be nice.
Enjoy your trip and be safe. :thumb:
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I’m (was) hoping to get away sometime before the end of the month. However, both sons now require Grandad to do babysitting duties next week and a week of the half term.🤦♂️
Only way I can do the half term is drive from Somerset to Devon. Pick up two grandkids (11 and 9), then drive to Lincolnshire to stay and look after the other two (9 and 6) as well.
All the best laid plans…….. 🤷♂️
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When camping I like to use a small tank bag so that I can charge various items that need charging while riding out and about during the day - led tent light, power packs, phone, bluetooth stuff etc but mainly the power pack so that I can charge stuff overnight while I sleep.
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Thanks Bladeowner, I think I’ve got that all covered.
I carry two power banks which will easily cover my power needs for several days. I have a small handlebar bag that I can put a phone or power bank in and charge from the usb at the side of the dash. If I need to charge more than one item, I can utilise the power socket under my seat.
The larger of the two power banks (which is a jump starter pack as well) can recharge my phone, rechargeable torch (also carry a battery head torch) and iPad several times. I haven’t got anything else to charge. 👍
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Looking good Phild.
How do you find thr lomo crashbar bags?
I quite fancy a set....
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I only ordered them after my decision to give Moto camping a go, so they haven’t been used in anger yet.
I’ve managed to work out how to attach them neatly to the bottom crash bars as I don’t have the upper accessory bar fitted. No great problem, but it would probably be a little less fiddly with the upper bar. Minor issue.🤷♂️
They haven’t been tested in the wet, but they’ve got a real good robust quality feel to them.
They take 6.5L’s each. One I’m using for washing / washing up kit, bum wipes (too much info there, I know), tissues, first aid kit.
The other I’ve got my mess tins, chopping board, KFS, basically all my cooking stuff bar the Jet Boil and gas…..it might get a little too warm for that so close to the engine.
I could probably get a bit more in both of them.
Although they are untested, I’m more than happy with the quality feel to them, so I’ll be replacing my 10 year old + Held 40L roll top hold-all for a Lomo Vizallo 40L hold-all, when they are back in stock. Lomo tell me they are due in again in December.
Although the company is based in Scotland, the tags on the bags say they are made in China.…. What isn’t.🤷♂️
If you haven’t already, take a look at the Lomo website. They have short videos explaining all their kit.👍
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I have had my LOMO crashbar bags on the bike four years and 25,000 miles now.
I have also 'drop tested' them on three occasions now. :shy:
They are tough and keep everything dry, even in Welsh and Cornish monsoon conditions and I'll be buying a second pair for my recently acquired 1200GS.
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@neilm
Do you have any pics of them on your bike?
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Here are a couple.
Pic 1 is just after I fitted them, pic 2 is the bike fully loaded in North Yorkshire on my way to Scotland.
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Thanks for the pics. They look good.....
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I put the Vango Galaxy 300 up in the garden today. I didn’t peg out all the ropes, and if I was on a camp site I’d have made it a little tidier…. but I’m very happy so far.
It’s exactly what I wanted in a base tent.
LOADS of room for me and my kit on my own. Easily big enough for two, but you’d have to be really friendly to fit three people in it…… unless the three of you are small.
I’ll be able to take everything off my bike and store it in the tent…. easily.
I was able to put it up on my own, and with a little more practice I probably would be able to put it up in about 30 minutes. Two people would be able get it up nearer to the 18 minutes Vango claim.
If you want a quick throw up tent or go stealth wild camping, this isn’t the tent for you. However, if you’re after a good amount of space and be able to stand to get dressed, it’s one to look at.
Obviously, I haven’t been camping with it yet, but all the signs are positive for my requirements.
I’ve attached a couple of photographs just in case anyone is interested. I do have more in various stages of build.
The ground sheets / footprints were well worth the £13 each I paid for them.
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You know what that looks brilliamt. That's a lot of tent for it's pack size. Nice buy :thumb:
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Not so much a tunnel tent, more of a funnel tent.
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Yep.
You could have a party in the porch!😁….. and it easily fits on my bike. 👍
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The Galaxy looks good, two of my motocamping buddies have them.
When you are ready for your first trip.... do a try out first.
By that I mean, go somewhere not too far from home and camp for one or two nights using all your new kit. This will highlight anything that does not suit.
In my case I rode down the A39 to Bude, camped there overnight and then went to Lands End (commercial dump that it is) the next day. That trip highlighted that my self inflating sleep mat was a very uncomfortable thing, so I changed it for a lightweight inflatable mat and the next trip was seven days in Scotland.
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Thanks Neil.
I’ve been researching a couple of sites in the Exmoor area and mid-Wales. Far enough for a reasonable ride, but close enough to arrive early and check out all my kit.
I’ve got an Exped blow up bed…. It’s got a built in hand pump. I got it for a great price, along with an Exped ultralight blow up pillow.
Pubs with a campsite attached look great to me.😁
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Nice pub with campsite attached - stayed there a few times when out exploring the plains
https://brucearms.co.uk/
Either having somewhere to eat close by or to be able to cook your meals in any weather is also an important factor I found with camping, even just being able to boil water for a cuppa in the morning I find important in case you've had a rather cold night.
We've used various stoves and cook sets, petrol Coleman stoves, those nasty square gas things and have settled on the good old Trangia stove.
Nearly everything comes inside the cook-set, keeping pack size small, meths is available most petrol stations and supermarkets if you run out of fuel, but I prefer to use ether Bio-ethanol or the optional gas burner.
I've looked at the Vango Galaxy a few times, and they look impressive for the size of tent and living space you get vs pack size.
I tent to swap and change tents/kit depending on what facilities the site has and the forecast weather.
Some will say I have too many tents, and far to much camping gear.... it's a good job my daughter (currently 4 years old) has also developed the camping bug and has even made me camp out in the garden. :shrug:
I still like to use my Vango Banshee 200 or 300 (300 for longer stays or if I know the weather is going to be less than perfect)
I also have the gear store, to add a bit of extra space and a larger built in canopy to cook under.
I can just about sit up in either of them, but getting dressed is either lay down inside or show the whole world outside.
My old Vango Spirit 200+ may get an outing next year as I've seam sealed it after some of the tape started to peal off after 13 years.
it's got a nice size porch, and spacious for one person, snug for two, but you're still lying down really to get dressed, though getting in and out is a bit easier than the banshees.
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I came across The Bruce Arms on YouTube, and it’s on my list.
A bloke called The Camping Biker put a review there.
I’ve looked at a number of his reviews, and I’ve started to collate my own list from various sources.👍
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I’m open to other recommendations from people.👍
I’ll be paying The Bike Campsite a visit at sometime.
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There's a pub at Trewern near Welshpool that used to take camping. Last time I went past it was all campervans though so not sure of they still do. The Green Dragon I think.
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I've never tried the pub camping thing.
I like peace and quiet and pubs that the quiet don't stay in business long.
As an alternative 'close to home' I went down to Verwood in the spring to try out a new (to me) tent and then went to the Sammy Miller museum the following day, had an outstanding breakfast (for lunch) and then rode home via Salisbury.
As for the ability to cook 'indoors', this was one of the factors in buying the Scafell 300+, as I can easily sit in the vestibule and have my cooker in the doorway. Tea brewed this way first thing is a real delight.
I may well treat myself to a Trangia with gas burner at some point, as at present I carry a bit of plywood, to avoid scorching the grass and a wind shield to wrap around my little gas stove.
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I'll second the trangia. It's a great bit of kit.
I have an OEX Heiro fast boil that I bought for making a quick hot drink at the side of the road etc purely because it's small and quick and I pack it where it's easily accessible. I use the gas trangia for all my main cooking etc and it's great.
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I recommend a pub with a campsite. Then leave all the camping stuff at home and stay in the pub.
It's cheaper than having buy all that stuff you need for living like a homeless person.
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The LOMO Vizallo 40L roll bag is back in stock, so got one to replace my 10 year old Held roll bag. It’s slightly bigger than the Held, so I’m guessing the Held was a 35L, or maybe even a 30L.
I’ve attached some photos. The advantage with this bag system is all the securing straps came with it.
£39 plus p&p (£6.95). I also purchased several other items which aren’t listed in the motorcycle section, so p&p may be less if you just buy the bag.🤷♂️
Now I’m just waiting for it to warm up by about 10 or 15 degrees, so I can do a test run.😉
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Nice one Phil - I keep buying stuff I don't really need to tide me over :) I think I might head up to the Mach loop somewhere early May B/H for a dry(ish/maybe) run before France/Germany at the end of May. Determined to get a few more trips in this year. :sunny:
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Got the price wrong….. £36.
I already had a fair bit of stuff from our Campervan days. I’m looking forward to the first break in the weather……. Although half term and the first and last week of March are unavailable to me…… Grandad duties.🤷♂️
Germany is a great country. We lived there for a total of 6 years. About 10 years ago we rode the Alpinesrasse and Romantic Road. The Eagles Nest was a great place to visit.👍
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I am a massive LOMO fanboi, I just got a pair of engine bar bags as a birthday present, they are now fitted to the GS.
I'm booked into the Overlander Winter Warmer at the end of the month. Fingers crossed things get a little bit warmer before then.
After that it'll probably be back to Bala in April and hopefully Moffat in May. I also have plans for a longer return to Scotland, a week in the Yorkshire Dales and whatever else I can fit into the year... weather permitting.
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Bala is a great shout. I'd fogottem about a great campsite on the lake. Might have to look that up as well :text-goodpost:
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The road to Bala from the North at Arenig is a great route.
The road from the North West at Bronaber is even better, but only if you like endless gates and mud/shit strewn tarmac (which I do).
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Finally broke free of Grandad domestic duties, and got away for a couple of nights.
The campsite was on Exmoor, only about 1.5 hours away but my route took 3 hours.🤷♂️
The tent was great. Massive space for one, and room to stand up…. Perfect. Two occupants would be cosy but you’d need to be good friends. Three (it’s a three man tent)….. I don’t think so.
Took me a little while to put the tent up, about 30/40 minutes. By the hour mark I’d stowed everything away, put my shorts and flip flops on, and was sitting having a beer.
Unless there was two sharing the tent, making it easier to put up, I wouldn’t use it for an overnight stay unless you’d had a short days ride and weren’t in any rush.
All in all, a great couple of days. £12 a night with showers / toilets etc. It was a pub with camping, adults only.👍
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:text-goodpost: Sounds great, I used to camp on Exmoor a lot. With a little more practise I'll bet you would have that tent up in no time. As you said.... Perfect. :thumb:
I am on Grandad duties now, looking after my Grandson's dog while he's away in Scotland. I am staying at his Mum's place where he lives. I love the dog, he's a Sharpe but like me he's getting old so I can't walk him as far as I would like to.
The downside to looking after the dog is that I had to come in my car because I knew I would need it in order to take the him out. The weather has been stunning and I just know by the time I get home it will be raining. Still, that's life and a part of being English. :thumb: