Review: Wingman of the Road Motorcycle Tent

Review: Wingman of the Road Motorcycle Tent

Owen Clarke

I wanted a Goose tent from Wingman of the Road for a long time before I pulled the trigger. It just looked so damn cool. As a fan of vintage bikes and old-school camping gear, and the owner of a Triumph Bonneville (the poster bike for the Goose), it seemed like something I needed to have.

My main qualms were the high price. When I bought the Goose, it was over $400 (USD) at the current exchange rates. Add in shipping to the U.S. and getting my hands on this tent cost me close to $500. That said, after spending over a dozen nights in my Goose, I reckon I have a fairly good idea of the product’s worth. All told, the Goose isn’t a camping setup for everyone. The price is hefty, but worth it, if the Goose’s camping style is for you. Read on, and I’ll explain what I mean. 

Comparisons between the Goose and Aussie swag tents abound on motorcycle forums, and they do have merit. This is basically a swag or bivy sack, but bulkier. However, it includes a sleeping bag and an uber-comfy, high-density foam mattress, hence the weight, bulk, and higher price tag. Also, keep in mind that you’re buying from a small, boutique outfit, which is designing these tents specifically for motorcyclists. There are benefits to that setup, benefits you won’t find if you’re just buying a used swag on eBay. Namely, they stand by their product and are very easy to communicate with if you have any issues.

The Goose is a ripstop canvas tent, with a side awning that stretches out to cover your bike, creating a porch-like area useful for storage gear. I often tie this side awning to a pair of trees instead, if I’m not expecting rain.

Instead of your typical tent bag, there’s an exterior waterproof cover that doubles as a tarp to sit on or a floor to place beneath the awning. Everything rolls up inside this waterproof cover (mattress, bag, tent, poles, guylines, and stakes), so getting the Goose set up or packed away is easy to do in three or four minutes, even if you take your time.

That’s the real benefit here: the quick and easy set up and take down process, coupled with the extreme durability of the build. I’ve gotten caught in a rainstorm multiple times and had to get the Goose up fast and it delivered. This tent is fast to set up, and burly enough to handle any abuse you can throw at it.

There are downsides. This is quite a small tent when you’re inside of it (I’m 6’2” and 175). At 22 pounds, it’s heavier than any other tent I’ve owned. To be fair, the weight isn’t just a tent, it’s a “camping system” so you’re also carrying the foam mattress and a sleeping bag, but it’s just important to realize that this a pretty hefty load.

Also, even when you put a lot of effort into rolling the Goose up tight, it’s quite bulky. It almost feels like strapping a keg of beer to the back of your bike. When I’m camping with the Goose, I find I don’t have much space for other gear on my rear rack.

That said, this is par for the course with things like canvas tents and high-density foam mattresses. There are tradeoffs. This is a much more durable tent than any nylon alternative, and the mattress is extremely comfortable. It’s easily the most comfortable mattress I’ve slept on in my 400+ nights camping.

The sleeping bag, on the other hand, is a skimpy, Walmart brand quality affair. It’s really only useful for summer camping. But this isn’t meant to be a 4-season tent. You can always take the stock sleeping bag out and pack your own bag. The poles are a bit wonky, the centerline pole warped pretty quickly on me, the side poles are also fairly low-quality, and the included stakes were shepherd’s crook-style aluminum, a couple of them bent when I hammered them in.

Pros

  • The canvas build, PVC bottom, and heavy-duty zippers are insanely durable

  • Convenient roll-up, all-in-one storage

  • Fast set-up and take-down

  • Extremely comfortable mattress

  • SOLID customer service

Cons

  • The long-term durability of the poles is questionable

  • Thin sleeping bag

  • Heavy & Bulky

If you’re looking for a lightweight or spacious tent, the Goose isn’t for you. If you want durability, comfort, and the fastest setup/take down time in the camping industry, the Goose is a solid buy. For those who ride with a partner, WOTR offers a two-man tent, called the Toucan, with the same general design and build. I didn’t test that one out, but I assume most of this info is relevant for the Toucan as well.