Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
Camping - Sponsored by bikerscampsite.co.uk => Camping Equipment & Suppliers => Topic started by: ScaredyCat on March 09, 2025, 09:29:35
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Hi,
I'm looking at doing some motocamping and for the record I've never been camping before. From what I understand freestanding will allow me to setup pretty much anywhere whereas non-freestanding needs an appropriate soft surface. Camping will be single night, pack up move on camp for next night.
I was initially tempted by the lone rider mototent but went off that idea when I wouked out I really needed a freestanding tent. So then I looked at their adv tent, which looks ideal but the price is really way too high for me to try somehting I might end up hating.
So, I'm looking for recommendations for a freestanding tent that a moron could put up in about 10 minutes in the rain/wind. I think price limit is about £300, lower would be better. I looked at the Vango site but they don't say if their tents are freestanding or not.
Anyone have any suggestions?
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Morning - I think there are some things that need clarification here. My understanding is that "all" (OK most) tents are "freestanding". Do you need to peg them out? Probably a good idea. Do you need to have them on a softish surface? Yes - also a good idea for the sake of the tent base and for your comfort. You really just need to work out what you want from your tent. Is it just you? Do you want it to be light? Pack size? Do you want to be able to stand up in it? Have a storage area? etc etc. I know Phild of this parish highly rates his Vango Galaxy 300 for the ability to stand in it's massive porch. I had to balance cost and packsize and went for the Outwell Earth 3 (currently available for a very reasonable £129.99 on ebay). I'd say have a think about the size, shape and pack size - look at mine adn Phild's for comparison. There are a tonne of options. Good luck
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I've only ever seen the term "freestanding " used to differentiate between regular tents and those that attach to a vehicle.
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I have a Coleman Phad 3 which, when the poles are inserted, is "free standing" in that it doesn't need any of the ropes pegged to keep in upright.
I have also used a domed Eurohike tent in the past that, with the poles inserted, was free standing.
Most tunnel type tents require at least one peged rope at each end to keep them upright.
Steve T
:sunny:
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Obviously people will have different priorities.
Mine are weight, pack size and useability/practicality.
I don't personally need to able to stand up in mine but I do like to be able to sit on a camping chair inside.
I also prefer a tent that you pitch outer first, which means if you arrive in the rain you can get the waterproof bit up, chuck your stuff inside and sort your stuff out nice and dry.
I also like a porch or a portion of tent outside of the sleeping area for sitting in and storing your bike gear.
Personally not bothered about free standing. It's probably a bit easier to erect but Is still want to peg it down.
My current tent is a Vango tunnel 2 man which I find perfect for me, although I'll probably be looking for a new one soon as it's 20 years old.
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Morning,
Thanks for the reply.
When I say 'freestanding' I mean you can put it up, pick it up assembled and move it without it collapsing, the frame providing all the rigidity. Pegging it down as an option, not a requirement. It will be just me but I'd like some room for my stuff so I'd say minimum 2 person tent. Being able to stand up is not a requirement. The tent will be put in a lomo vizalo drybag with other bits (I have a 40l and am considering a 25L in addition) - the 40l vizalo is 63cm Length x 33cm Width x 28cm Height so anything below those numbers would be great.
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ScaredyCat
I’m trying motocamping for the first time this year.
I’ve experience in roughing it, tenting it, caravanning, trailer tenting and campervanning.
What I’ve decided is I’m too old to be crouching down in a low tent. Therefore, I’ve got a tent that has a porch I can stand up in to get dressed.
My intention is to have a base campsite for a few days at a time and not move on daily.
Here’s my kit on my bike……. Yet to be tested.
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When I used to camp I just wanted a place to sleep before moving on. I had a sand tent similar to this, but a cheaper version, can't remember which though, a long time ago.
https://uk.reactiveoutdoor.com/pages/unlock-offer-uk?tw_source=google&tw_adid=707728851746&tw_campaign=21522569966&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlbW-BhCMARIsADnwasqXCzH9eVO_tmeByNLQk1XWf46SawFPWiL8qNaQYOKxpiZ81v0EktcaArCtEALw_wcB
I left it on the bike till I needed it ( no hardship ) because if you put it up before and the wind gets up ?.......... no good in winter I suspect.
The one I had was not as durable as the above one and was replaced with a Vango Alpha 200 which I like 'cos it has a small porch for any wet gear. Very small pack size, but probably too small if you are not moving every morning and are looking for a base camp. As a simple shortstay for one person it is good and due to the small size never got cold overnight either.
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/vango-alpha-200/467
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I have been motocamping for only a few years, but typically I spend two to three weeks a year camping and riding in various parts of the UK.
I'll stick my neck out here and recommend an actual tent.
Go on ebay and look at the Eurohike Cairns 2 or Cairns 3. Both are free standing, outer first dome tents with a vestibule complete with groundsheet.
I recently used a Cairns 2 in -2 degrees overnight temperatures and I am now considering a change to the 3 only because I am pretty tall and have to sleep on a diagonal in almost any tent, in order to avoid pushing my feet against the fly sheet and so risk getting moisture in the tent.
Because of this, the Cairns 2 is just a little bit too small for my needs.
As a first try tent, they are tough, a little on the heavy side, but extremely serviceable.
You can get one new from Go-Outdoors / Millets, or s/h from one of the resellers on eBay.
Worth knowing is that Vango have a factory outlet web site. They have all sorts of gear at reduced prices and the stock changes all the time. I have found it a great place to get sleeping bags.
https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/ (https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/)
Just to add, if you are planning on camping in the UK, even wild camping in Scotland, then a freestanding tent is not essential.
My current No.1 tent is a Vango Scafell 300 Plus, but like many people, I don't have only one tent.
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Thanks for the tip, I found a Eurohike Cairns 3 for £50 on ebay, and ebay gave me a £10 discount code so for £40 it's worth a punt, right?
I'll soon find out :icon_wink:
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When you put the tent up for the first time, take your time putting the poles in the sleeves.
They can sometimes be inclined to snag, so first time putting it up, do it in the back garden.
I've also just bought a Cairns 3... we'll have to compare notes sometime.
Another tip.
For your first camping trip, keep it local and just do one or two nights. You will have got your kit wrong, or maybe misses something out, being local means it doesn't ruin a whole tour.
I live in Weston-s-Mare and for my first trip I rode to Bude, camped for one night, rode to Lands End the following morning and was home for tea.
I found on that first night that my self inflating sleep mat was pants. That got replaced with a Robens inflatable mat.... but sleep systems are a whole nother world of confusion.
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I may get a smaller tent for quick overnighters or maximum a weekend. I’m finding many moto campers have a selection of tents to suit their trip.
However, at the other end of manageable size tents, I went for a Vango Galaxy 300. My intention is to find somewhere to camp for 3 or 4 nights at a time, and tour the area without packing away each morning. I also wanted something big enough so my son could join me for a couple of days, when work allows.
Here’s mine…… and it will also double up for the Grandkids to camp in the garden during their summer visits.👍
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Part of me misses the camping trips Lady Poppy and I had with a bike club 30-odd years ago, but I don't miss getting back from the pub at 11pm, finding out I'd left my torch in the tent (no mobile phone lights then of course), and then trying to work out which of the six identical Argos dome tents was ours... Plus the material was so thin you got woken up ridiculously early by the summer sunrise and you were sweating buckets within half an hour as it had no uv protection either. One couple we're still good friends with bucked the trend and splashed out on a pukka Vango tent and in hindsight I wish I had too.
Good luck with your choice.
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Phil. The National Trust own a number of campsites in and around the Lake District. I camped at one right on Windermere for a few days and did exactly what you have planned.
I have also done the same in North Wales and this years trip will be based in Moffat.
I tend to do a couple of these types of camps a year and then a seven to ten day 'tour'.
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Thanks Neil.
The NT campsites are on my list to keep an eye on. They do ‘pop-up’ campsites, throughout the year, at various locations as well.👍
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Quite sidenote:
Do you get free camping on National Trust sites (or a discount) if you're a member?
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You don’t have to be a member and no discounts even if you are.🤷♂️
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Tent was delivered today. Made the mistake of putting it up in the office. lol
Pretty sure I nearly died twice but it was fairly straight forward. I need a rest/lay down.
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Well, that didn't work out so well for me.
I ordered a Cairns 3 from a seller on eBay who specialise in returned stock.
The package arrived yesterday and today I took everything to the paddocks where we keep our two ponies, as the ground is pretty dry and reasonably flat.
Out came the tent / bedroom, all looked good. Out came the flysheet, all good, after a little bit of a fight, the poles were in and up it all went.
I pegged down the four corners and went inside the flysheet.... wow, it was big in there, nice. Next job, connect all the toggles on the tent to the loops inside the flysheet... and here we ran into a snag.... it didn't really seem to fit.
I looked at the tent and it did not say which model it was, but I could see it was clearly bigger than my Cairns 2, so I tried connecting the groundsheet at the front of the vestibule... and clearly something was not right.
I stepped outside to have think and spotted it.... on the outside of the flysheet, there it is, in white on green Cairns 4 DLX! The tent is what I ordered, a Cairns 3... these two ain't going together.
Back home I let the seller know.
At first they didn't quite believe me. I am sure they have plenty of first time campers telling them things are not right, but I've been putting up tents and camping since I was a 7 year old, so I have a couple of clues as to what I am up to.
After a bit of back and forth the seller suggested I send the tent back... at MY expense, and then they would give me the money back and send me the correct item.... no sir, that ain't the way the system works. The whole thing is now all wrapped up with a returns label provided by the Bay.
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I’ve been practicing in the garden…… just under 20 minutes to get my Galaxy 300 up and fully ready for occupation.😁
I just need a few days free from Grandad duties to escape.🤷♂️
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Being a tent-aholic here's my tuppence:
Most of the free standing (stands up without being pegged or guyed out) tent to be either:
-Basic dome tent (cheap) but heavy weight and larger pack size
-fancy geodetic mountaineering designs (expensive) - smaller pack size, but time consuming to put up and potentially fragile
neither of these options tend to give you much height.
Tunnel tents tend to give you the best space & height vs weight & pack size and the designs are numerous.
I like the smaller Vango options - I have a Spirit 200+, Banshee 200 & 300, but I'm getting dressed lying own mostly.
My Gamma 300 isn't too low, but not much porch, but I've got the tunnel gear store for this. but it's another decent little bag to pack.
But you will get the whole tent in a decent sized top box. - I do always take a tarp to add a bit of extra shelter and usually the banshee gear store to add extra storage to the banshee, but don't usually use the tarp and gear store together - I'm far too lazy to put that much effort in.
Up from that you get the lone rider style (never ever park the bike inside unless you'd like the bike on your face in the middle of the night)
I have the Vango Turini, but the earlier ones were called the Stelvio and later model the Tour 200-
I can nearly stand up inside, comes with groundsheets that can be removed, but there is a gap around the bottom meaning you'll get a nice draft. - fits on it's own in my Givi V47 topbox (48ltr).
great for space to weight, but fragile - I've had to replace all three poles, due to metal fatigue (one snapped first night of a week away) the replacements from vango are different and seem to be better quality.
Then you get the bigger family tents - I have a Vango Icarus 500, which I have seen carried on bikes to Fat Rats' gaff, but they will take up the whole of the back seat on most bigger bikes and weights around 16-20kg
At present I think the best bike camping tent around is the Vango Galaxy 300 - the sleeping compartment is the same dimensions as my gamma 300 which is comfortable for 2 and has a larger living area with sewn in ground sheet.
Pack size is sensible.
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Yep, also be careful how you park/ pitch your tent. See mr-divers pics above and notice the tent /sidestand / bike relationship.
I was once woken up by shouts ( which took some doing ...it was a biker party :icon_wink: ) from the nextdoor tent.
He was trapped under his Harley that had gone over on the soft grass trapping him in the tent due to dodgy sidestand choices :angry-banghead:
If you only have a side stand and space is tight , make sure it falls away from the tent.
I am guilty too,
Another biker party, this time at a friends liveaboard boat, maybe 30 of us. I had pitched too near the river in the evening ( already a good few beers in :icon_wink: ) and the river was tidal...Not a boatbuilder then :shrug:
Woke up cold and damp as the tide came up soaking the lovely soft grass I had pitched on.....
Ho Hum
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If I was a Harley rider I would take your advice but I would rather my V-Strom fell onto me and the tent than on the dirty wet grass. :) :thumb:
Oh! and in the top picture the tent leaves the occupant rolling sideways across the tent all night. if the ground has even a gentle slope it's best to have your head up slope. Obviously wind direction comes into the sighting of the tent too. I used to camp for a living. :thumb:
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Nice to hear from a pro... :text-goodpost:
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I decided to get everything loaded up as a test - I'm not really trying to be a mobile advert for Lomo but it is what it is. I've double bagged the tent because I needed more storage and didn't whant that plus the tent on top of it all. Bags add a little support for my back too. Also did another test assembly test.
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I like the LOMO stuff as well. My test pack.👍
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How much does your stuff weigh and what did you do to the preload on your bike?
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I haven’t weighed the stuff on the pillion seat. However, it’s far lighter than a pillion.
Best guesstimate would be a total weight of 20kgs to 25kgs. But the bags do contain all my camping gear and emergency rations. My top box will only carry my clothing….and I tend to be good at packing light.
I haven’t been away yet. I’m always on short notice to look after grandkids….🤷♂️
Once I get away I’ll know better if I need to play with my the suspension. I don’t tend to play with the suspension on any of my bikes. Standard usually works for me.
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OK, I've just weighed mine and they're 21Kg, the only other thing I need to add is some clothes but I'm thinking that's just socks/pants and a pair of jeans (on the off chance I want to walk around) and a couple of sets of base layers.
I decided to use the topbox for stuff I might need to get to quickly eg puncture repair, tools, water etc. Tank bag for phone/battery packs / snacks, visor cleaner/cloth.
I slightly messed up getting a huge sleeping bag which takes up most of the space in one of the Lomo 40L but , well I don't like the cold and worst case I'll be able to unzip and hang out of it. R value is 5.7 iirc.
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I’ve got an army sleeping bag. I spent many, many nights in one so I know what I’m getting.
😁
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I'd suggest adding a beanie and a puffer jacket to you packing lists.
Neither take any room, but both are useful at around the time the sun sets.
I'm off to North Wales middle of next week, just an overnighter to try out my.... 'other tourer' on familiar roads.
On the 650 I tend to run the rear shock a couple of clicks firmer than factory, pretty much all the time.
Another tip. After leaving home, fully loaded. Stop after a handful of miles to make sure everything is still strapped down firmly and nothing is loose or flapping.
I hope you both have great trips.
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Just got back (last nicght) from doing the NC500 and a bit more. Tent was perfect but it didn't get any kind of rain test because the weather was great! By the end of the trip I had setting up and taking down pretty much mastered.
Not sure I have the vocabulary to describe how stonkingly beautiful the west coast of Scotland is and the roads were sublime.
Oh if you go, add on the Menock Pass and route round the coast via Monkton, Wemsys scoot round the edge of Glasgow (port area) - Saturday we did Moffatt to Fort William via that route. It was a long ride - we made camp at around 9pm but had a late start - it's long but we just couldn't get enough.
Strom is heavy, especially with and extra 60kg of luggage but was so agile when on the move. Learned lots about the bike while out there - better control, knowing the width and being a lot more comfortable with it.
Lots of filtering on the way up due to road works and kudos to all the people on the roads at that time, they made our filtering tasks a lot easier by moving aside.
The journey home was, well pretty epic for other reasons. John O' Groats to Suffolk (Ipswich-ish) in one day. Not as pretty on the East coast but still worth it and there's one nice section of road which most definately needed the words "Commit! Commit!" shouted over the intercom at your newly passed companion rider.
The East might not have been as twisty and turny but it was a good wind down for the long leg home.
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Top man. :thumb: