Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Pitch up in the best motorcycle tents for camping with your two-wheeler

There's nothing like cruising a backcountry road at sunset, wind in your hair, George Thorogood in your ear, and a few bugs in your teeth.

Wingman-of-the-Road Toucan Motorcycle Camping System pitched up by a mountain lake.
Wingman-of-the-Road

After a few long years of pandemic-fueled “lockup,” more and more of us are finally getting back to road-tripping. For some, that means camping across the country in an RV; for others, adventure awaits on the back of a two-wheeler (be it pedal or gas-powered). If you fall into the latter camp, we get it. There’s nothing like the excitement of cruising down some backcountry road at sunset with the wind in your hair, George Thorogood in your ear, and a few bugs in your teeth.

If you’re planning an extended trip, then you’ll be looking to overnight along the way. If an ordinary roadside motel just won’t do, maybe you need a more adventurous alternative. Here are our picks for the best motorcycle tents for camping with your two-wheeler along the way in 2023.

Lone Rider MotoTent V2

Best motorcycle tent overall

Motorcycle parked inside a Lone Rider MotoTent Motorcycle Camping Tent on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lone Rider’s MotoTent is the closest thing to a gold standard in two-wheel tents. The best-in-class motorcycle tent features a large sleep area roomy enough for two riders and their gear, with an integrated vestibule that is wide enough for one adventure motorcycle with panniers. High-quality materials all around, including a fire-retardant ripstop nylon shell, waterproof zippers, and aircraft-grade aluminum stakes, make it damn-near-bulletproof. Yet, the entire affair weighs just 12 pounds. The downside is that you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege of owning the best. At roughly $600, it’s one of the more premium moto tents on the market.

Redverz Atacama Expedition Motorcycle Tent

Best motorcycle tent for adventures

Adventure bike parked inside a Redverz Atacama Expedition Motorcycle Tent, isolated on a white studio background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Like Lone Rider, Redverz is well-respected in the world of adventure biking and two-wheel camping. Its Atacama Expedition Tent is the company’s flagship motorcycle tent, over-engineered with a 4000mm hydrostatic head on the outer fly, so it’ll stand up to driving rain and hard winds. The vestibule can accommodate any full-sized touring adventure bike with panniers, allowing riders to park straight inside. Twin garage doors roll down on either side to keep your bike dry and protected.

Inside, the oversized footprint is large enough to accommodate a queen airbed or two camp sleeping pads, plus a pair of your best camp chairs. The ceiling boasts a peak height of 77 inches, more than enough for all but the tallest riders to stand comfortably.

Wingman-of-the-Road Toucan Motorcycle Camping System

Best all-in-one motorcycle tent system

Two people sleeping inside a Wingman-of-the-Road Toucan Motorcycle Camping System beside a lake.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Toucan is the larger version of Wingman-of-the-Road’s Goose, and it’s unlike any other motorcycle tent we’ve seen. It eschews the modern, freestanding nylon tent set up for a unique design that’s part vintage, part military-inspired, and all utilitarian. The entire system — including the canvas tent, thick foam mattress, sleeping bag, and blanket (which doubles as a cover for the whole kit) — is an all-in-one solution for weekend adventure cyclists.

Simply strap the Toucan on the back of your bike, and you’re prepared to overnight just about anywhere. When you’re ready to make camp, the tent sets up with a flap that extends over the seat and gas can of your two-wheeler. The space between also serves as a vestibule for your gear or a trip mate who doesn’t mind getting a little wet in their sleep.

Coleman Hooligan 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Best budget-friendly motorcycle tent

Coleman Hooligan 2-Person Backpacking Tent covered with a rainfly against a plain white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Coleman best camping gear always strikes a balance between durability and affordability. Their products are rarely the best on the market, but they do offer great value for the money. The Hooligan 2-Person Backpacking Tent is no exception.

The compact dome sleeps two comfortably with room for two camp pads, and the exterior holds up to wind and rain equally well. When the weather allows, the rain fly can be removed to reveal an all-mesh interior for better ventilation and stargazing. A small front vestibule provides extra dry storage for gear or a two-wheeler. While bulkier than most on this list, it still weighs less than nine pounds, making it an ideal choice for motorcycle and bicycle campers.

Big Agnes Blacktail 2 Hotel Bikepack

Best easy-setup motorcycle tent

Big Agnes Blacktail 2 Hotel Bikepack tent on a plain white studio background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Keep your two-wheeler safe in a storm with the Big Agnes Blacktail 2 Hotel Bikepack. This ultra-lightweight motorcycle tent weighs less than seven pounds with enough room for storing your small two-wheeler (whether pedal- or gas-powered) and gear while making a pit stop. It also comes with an extended vestibule to ensure the safe coverage of your items no matter what the weather. The low-vent feature of this tent allows constant airflow without compromising the vestibule’s coverage area.

Wolf Walker Motorcycle Tent

Best waterproof motorcycle tent

Motorcycle parked inside the Wolf Walker Motorcycle Tent among a stand of trees.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking for something that can stand up to heavy winds and rain, then the Wolf Walker Motorcycle Tent might be the one for you. This spacious, waterproof tent has enough room for three people to sleep in and a separate area for a motorcycle. It also features four convenient entryways, four quick and easy set-up aluminum poles, and a motorcycle bag or carrier. This will surely give you all the comfort you need after a campfire with your friends or family. The best part? At just over $200, it’s also one of the most affordable motorcycle tents.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Expectation vs. reality: Cybertruck Basecamp rooftop tent is another disappointment
Tesla's camping accessory looks nothing like the photos
Tesla Cybertruck at a camping site

The Tesla Cybertruck hasn’t exactly worked out, and the controversial vehicle’s $3000 “Basecamp” tent accessory seems to be the latest letdown for the vehicle’s early adopters. Early renders showed a futuristic covering that would transform the truck’s bed into a glamorous camping space. Unfortunately, that isn’t what customers seem to be receiving.

Instead, Cybertruck owners who stumped up the extra $3,000 seem to be receiving a slightly cheap-looking, windowless, polyester tent with an interior akin to one of those bags delivery drivers keep pizza warm in. Looks can be a little deceiving here, as the materials used are allegedly of good quality. Despite this, it is still a far cry from what was promised -- like many other elements of Elon Musk’s electric truck. Plus, there could be some quality control issues with the tent’s assembly, as the stitching on one of the nylon webbing straps appears to be coming apart after just one setup.

Read more
BMW’s CE 02 eParkourer in-betweener bridges electric scooters and motorcycles
When conventional transportation choices don't cut it
Helmeted rider traveling on a paved city street in front of a red streetcar on a 2024 BMW CE 02,

BMW Motorrad's BMW CE 02 eParkourer could be the e-mobility solution for city dwellers who don't need a car and don't want a motorcycle. If you don't plan to travel on highways but would like more speed and substance than e-bikes provide and want to be able to carry a passenger, definitely check out the CE 02. Originally introduced last summer, the BMW CE 02 eParkourer is available now at U.S. dealerships.

Why the BMW CE 02 Parkourer matters
The eParkourer is an in-betweener. Its 59 miles per hour maximum speed is not in the same vehicle class as a motorcycle. The CE 02 is faster than e-bikes and mopeds. Functionally closer to a Vespa-style scooter than other two-wheel vehicles, the CE 02 doesn't fit the scooter category on appearance alone. BMW calls it an eParkourer as if that were a type of vehicle, but it's not, although "eParkourer" is less awkward than calling the CE 02 a speed-limited electric motorcycle.

Read more
Indian Motorcycle, Roland Sands Design collaborate on special edition 2024 FTR x RSD Super Hooligan
The chance to own an updated motorcycle icon
2024 Indian FTR x RSD Super Hooligan parked in front of Bike Shed store with a person leaning against metal fence looking directly at the camera.

 

Blatant understatement follows: Indian Motorcycle released a limited-edition bike for fun rides on streets and tracks. The 2024 Indian FTR x RSD Super Hooligan is not solely a dual-purpose motorcycle. Instead, it's a styled, performance-tweaked Indian FTR R Carbon model that represents the unrestrained spirit and joy of motorcycling. Even the FTR x RSD Super Hooligan model name has iconic references to American motorcycling.

Read more