Getting A Tent On The Bike Question?
 

I've just bought a tent in preparation for the Anuual Ridout as the wife has given me a 'golden pass' for that weekend :P

However my question is how does everybody else who is taking tents (along with all the other luggage) put it on the bike?

I will have an Oxford tail pack on the rear seat with maybe the panniers and it looks a bit of a tight squeeze to attach the tent on the back.

Was considering buying a sports rack for it but it seems like a lot of money for something that isn't going to get used all that often.

Suzuki SV650K3/K4 / SV1000 - black Ref: REN7275B
Price: £51.00

Anybody have any ideas or do I have to fork out the dough!! :cry:

By the way the tent went rolled up is about 70cm x 18cm x 18cm.

Last year I rolled my tent in the sleeping roll, then strapped that down across the pillion seat. I then put the straps of my back pack around each end of the roll and strapped that down.
I would have easily had room for panniers with that lot on but don't have any and didn't need the extra space.

If you can find a spare rear seat, you could mount a couple of bits of metal or wood onto it to give you a bit of a rack... The Sportsracks are great, but as you say, if you don't use it often then it's a lot to spend.

Or... You could use a tankbag, put the tent across the seat and use the panniers. If you don't have one, you're welcome to a lend of mine for the weekend. Likewise if your panniers are on the small side, I've got a set of those absurdly huge Oxford ones that I've never used, (because they're absurdly huge) which you'd be welcome to use.

Or... You could just take a bit less c**p? :)

Mine strapped neatly across the rear seat and panniers along with my mat.

Those renttec sports racks are not cheap but they certainly are handy for when you go away and it does give the extra bit of load space. Check e bay for a second hand one

I took mine out of the bag it comes packed in and packed all the bit's folded up in a tail pack with the poles shoved in there as well.

This year we're gonna be splitting the tent between our two rucksacks as we're not taking any other luggage.

Thanks for all the tips guys.

I hadn't thought of just using the panniers and ditching the tail pack to get the tent on the rear seat so I'll try that.

Northy,

Thanks for the offer of the loan of the tank bag. I have a little one and as your last suggestion says I should just take less c**p. :thumbsup:

Are you not comin along ??

:shock: :shock:

Skidmarks a'plenty then :wink:

Nah, I'd love to but it's T in the Park that weekend so I'll have to give it a miss :(

Awhh feck,

Think outside the box.

Sell your tickets on the black market and that's more beer for tha annual rideout :P :P