Fresh out of high school, I bought a Yamaha XS 1100 Special and hit the road in every direction as often as possible from my dull, mining company hometown. I soon learned that good gear made the difference between a good ride and a great ride, and had the bike not been stolen and had the Goose tent been available, I might have still been riding that bike around the world to this day. One can only dream.
Wingman of the Road, a company formed by a group of passionate bikers, has recently unveiled the Goose, an innovative all-in-one motorcycle camping system designed to meet the needs of adventure riders and long-distance tourers. This clever tent solution is claimed to provide almost everything necessary for a restful night’s sleep in a single compact package, an old-school yet innovative design to improve the camping experience for motorcycle enthusiasts.
The Goose comprises a sturdy canvas tent, a thick foam mattress, and a cozy sleeping bag, all neatly wrapped within a cover that serves as an additional tarp when not in use. With its convenient “roll out and roll in” system, it is claimed that riders can swiftly rise from bed and hit the road in a matter of minutes. Thanks to its versatile design, the Goose can be attached to a luggage rack or most back seats using two straps, ensuring a secure and hassle-free setup. The system is, however, quite bulky, but there is a good reason for that.
Constructed from robust 420 gsm (grams-per-square-meter) heavy-duty ripstop canvas, the Goose is not only waterproof but also highly breathable and durable. This material guarantees longevity with proper care, allowing the tent to last many years. The Goose features an extra-long canvas wing that can be easily fastened to any motorcycle, shielding the seat from rain and offering a sheltered space for riders to store their gear. Gone are the days of waking up stressing about the safety of your bike—the Goose keeps riders literally connected to their prized possessions, essential if you live or travel, like I did, in a crime-riddled country.
The Goose offers customizable openings to adapt to prevailing weather conditions, fitted with two doors and two windows, each equipped with a fly screen and canvas layer. Optimal ventilation can be achieved by zipping up the fly screen, allowing a refreshing four-way cross breeze and a view of the hopefully star-studded sky. The attraction of the Goose’s design is the ability to consolidate almost all camping gear into a single, tidy roll. Poles and pegs are stored in a reinforced PVC pole pouch, protecting the more delicate components at the center of the roll.
The Goose features a high-density foam mattress for enhanced comfort and longevity, offering superior support compared to inflatable alternatives. Additionally, both the cover and sleeping bag are fully removable for easy washing and maintenance. The Goose also boasts a helmet hook positioned at both ends of the tent, keeping your valuable helmet off the ground and out of sight.
When fully set up, the Goose measures 200 x 75 x 70 centimeters in height, with an additional wing span of 125 centimeters. When rolled up, its compact dimensions are 63 centimeters in length, 34 centimeters in width, and 34 centimeters in height while weighing in at 10 kilograms; the Goose strikes a balance between durability and ease of transport, provided the weight is evenly distributed and accounted for when packing.
In contrast to conventional camping tents made from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, which Wingman of the Road claims to sacrifice durability and weather resistance for cost-effectiveness, the Goose showcases the advantages of cotton canvas. Tents constructed from this breathable, waterproof, environmentally friendly, and insulating material claim to offer excellent performance and longevity. To enhance versatility, the Goose features an extra canvas flap on the side, allowing riders the option to fully enclose the tent while keeping the awning attached to the motorcycle, catering to individual preferences and weather conditions.
In conclusion, the Goose is quite expensive and bulky, and you probably won’t have space for a pillion but mated to the right bike and biker, it may be just perfect. We would love to test this product in a real-world environment.
$428 | wingmanoftheroad.com
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