Camping is one of the many things I love about being a long rider. The quality of motorcycle camping gear has drastically improved since the Adventure Motorcycle lifestyle has taken off.
When I first started moto-camping, I used a cheap one or two person tent. I wasn’t too concerned about weight. After all, I’m on a heavy motorcycle so what do I care about a little more weight?
The cheap Coleman or Ozark Trail tents sold at your local Walmart work just fine. They will keep you relatively dry, and you can’t beat the price. However, they will be heavy and bulky and won’t last very long. They won’t “breath” as well either.
That said, once you get into a high quality tent, you won’t go back.
This is a quick break down of the tents I prefer for moto-camping.
My cheap Swiss tent. It did the job but was bulky and heavy.
Alps Mountaineering Meramac 2
I’ve used the Meramac for about a decade until I finally retired it in 2024. It’s a relatively cheap tent that can be purchased from Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop. It’s a fully self-standing tent so it doesn’t need to be staked down. It’s not super light, but it provides pretty darn good value for the cost.
First of all, it has lasted me about a decade and I have used it in all types of weather. It has held up just fine. The last time I used it in the fall of 2024, the zipper finally failed. It tends to bind and catch fabric unless you use two hands to open and close the door. But that’s pretty common for many tents.
The tent itself packs up pretty small, but the tent poles are a bit long. I would always pack the tent in one of my panniers, and pack the poles separately in my seat bag.
I would definitely recommend this tent if you’re not worried about weight, but want something sturdy and something that will last. It’s a great tent if you want to get into moto-camping but don’t want to spend a ton of money.
The Alps Mountaineering Meramac 2
Nemo Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack 2P
I bought the Nemo at the beginning of 2025 and have only used it a few times. Having said that, I can assure you that this is by far the best tent I have ever owned. It’s also the most expensive tent I’ve ever owned!
Is it worth the cost? In my opinion yes. The Nemo packs up surprisingly small and the bikepack tent poles fold up extra short so they can easily fit in a pannier. It’s nice to have a tent that I can easily fit without having to separate the poles from the tent bag.
Another thing I love about the Nemo is how well it breathes. I’ve slept in the tent when it was cold and I stayed comfortable all night without waking up to a bunch of moisture inside the tent. I’ve also slept in the tent when it was warm and muggy and it didn’t get stuffy like my cheaper tents.
The Nemo is a self standing tent, but if you want to use the rain fly you will need to stake it down. It’s relatively easy to set up, and has a little area for storage under the fly.
The verdict is still out on how long the Nemo will last, but I’m hoping I won’t have to buy a new one for a long time. If you have the money and are looking for a compact, light, high quality, and comfortable tent for moto-camping, I strongly recommend the Nemo Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack 2P.
The Nemo Dragonfly. A very comfortable and quality tent
Sport Touring Cycle Adventures 