Water Here Boss

keeponriding

Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
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When I ride, I usually like to have water available...especially when it's hot. But, even on a 2 or 3 hour ride, having convenient access to water is a good thing.

I don't usually keep the side bags on, unless it's a longer trip...and I don't like having an opened bottle of water rolling around the top box potentially leaking over whatever is in there. When I'm camping, I'll carry bottles for drinking and a larger canteen with cooking water. On my trip out west last week, the heat caused the bottles to sweat, damping stuff in the side case.

So, what to do? Well, while browsing the local camping store, I found this product called Platypus...a light composition plastic water bottle in multiple sizes, PCB free,available as a bladder (not my style) or in a thermo carrier preventing freezing in winter and keeping water cool in summer. I also bought a carrier from Twisted Throttle that I attached to the inside of the top box....solving a great deal of my water problems. Oh, yes...the Platypus also has options for bottle tops, so the blue end is a squeezer kind of thing.

A picture (or two) worth thousand's of words:
 

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Checkswrecks

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I only use this on longer trips - it's 2 hose clamps and a $5 bicycle bottle rack that normally carries a bottle in it with a straw. The reach to get it with my left hand is easy and so the bottle doesn't sit right behind the radiator. Obviously, in the cold months it goes on the left side.


The crash bar gets a layer of black tape first. The bottle is just a regular bottle of water from any convenience store, with a hole cut in the top and I refill it. The front of the straw needs to be cut with a bit of a taper so the straw gets a bit of pressure or it will act as a venturi and suck out the bottle.
 

Kidder

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Or just wear a water hydration system like a Camelbak.
 

snuffcityrider

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Last weekend on my 300 mile/ 100 degree ride I used a soft sided cooler that held four bottles of water and I used a couple of freezer packs in the cooler. Put the cooler in my tail bag and had a nice cool drink available through out the day.
 

bikerdoc

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Checkswrecks said:
I only use this on longer trips - it's 2 hose clamps and a $5 bicycle bottle rack that normally carries a bottle in it with a straw. The reach to get it with my left hand is easy and so the bottle doesn't sit right behind the radiator. Obviously, in the cold months it goes on the left side.


The crash bar gets a layer of black tape first. The bottle is just a regular bottle of water from any convenience store, with a hole cut in the top and I refill it. The front of the straw needs to be cut with a bit of a taper so the straw gets a bit of pressure or it will act as a venturi and suck out the bottle.
I like this idea. It comes close to what I have setup on my Jetmax and Suzi Burgman Exec maxi scoots, which is one of the reasons I luv maxi scoots too... It's quite convenient to be able to reach down without too much effort, and have a drink while still riding with the right hand on throttle (or cruise control activated), an activity not that suitable to many regular motorcycles.
YMMV.
 

Karson

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Kidder said:
Or just wear a water hydration system like a Camelbak.
I rock something very similar on scorcher days. I use the Klim backpack with a bladder in it. Usually add lotsa ice and as it melts helps keep me cool. It's surrounded by neoprene in the backpack, so it'd take quite a lot of condenstation to soak through, which i haven't experienced in 2+ years of ownership. My 2 centavos!
 

Dallara

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~


Great ideas posted. Thanks!

Here's a couple of alternatives I use...

First is a cool little gadget called a "Grippit Drink Lash":





It's made of neoprene cord and nylon straps, with some incredibly stout suction cups. You can stick to the tank, as shown above, and it will hold just about any bottle:






Or you can stick it to the side covers:






Or you can stick it to the front of a side case:




Now understand, I wouldn't trust one on a rocky, bumpy trail to hold a big, heavy bottle of water, but for cruising on the highway and smoother gravel roads I've never had it fail me. I will say it works much, much better on metal than it does on plastic - I don't know why - and there is very fine line of how much moisture to use to wet the suction cups. They have to be very close to dry, yet not completely... And I have actually found skin oil, like rubbing your finger on the side of your nose and using it to prepare the surface of the suction cups works best of all. If you're interested in one of these they have a web site at http://www.grippit.com/ though I picked mine up at a boat shop for about $5.00.

The "Grippit" goes on and off in seconds, and it rolls/folds up into almost nothing, making it easy to stow in a tank bag or side case... Or even your pocket. Shoot, you could even have two, one on each side! ::003::

But my favorite way to carry a nice, cold drink on day rides with the Super Ténéré is with something called a "Thermos Lunch Lugger":





These "Lunch Lugger" soft coolers are nicely insulated, made of tough materials, and best of all fit *PERFECTLY* inside the right-hand Yamaha side case!!! ::012::






In fact, you can get two of them in there on top of each other, with even a bit of room to spare. I have two of them, but only very rarely use both. One is usually just right for a full day's ride as it will readily hold plenty to drink... Up to ten 12-oz cans, but then there's little room for something to keep those cans cool. I prefer to carry five cans...






That's two cans of Dos Equis and three cans of sparkling water pictured... Then, on top of those I use some Thermos-brand ice-cube substitutes, hard-frozen overnight in the 'fridge...





Then just zip it up and drop it in the side case. It's easy to get to, and the drinks stay cold all day long. Just pull it out at an stop and have an ice-cold thirst quencher of your choice. These little coolers also hold any sort of combination of bottles, cans, zip lock bags with sandwiches or snacks, etc., etc. Works great...

Only problem is that Thermos no longer makes 'em! :'(

They were originally sold with a nice Thermos vacuum bottle that cleverly strapped to the top with trick velcro wrap, then the vacuum bottle actually becomes the handle on top. I've carried coffee on rides with these Thermos bottles on many a cold morning ride, with cold drinks in the cooler for later in the day. I picked up two of these "Lunch Lugger" combos years ago, and it was just pure luck they fit the Yamaha side cases as well as they do.

They do come up on e-Bay from time to time, even brand new, so if the idea interests you then you might try scouring there.

Anyway, just thought I'd pass along the ideas.

Dallara



~
 

Checkswrecks

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JaimeV said:
Bah... it surprise-me than a Spaniard can bet to the Americans carrying beer…
Forget that!
I'll stand a good redneck brewfest up to anybody else's anyday!
:D

You need to come over for some of the ADVRider camp outs befor emaking such statements!
::003::
 

JaimeV

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Checkswrecks said:
Forget that!
I'll stand a good redneck brewfest up to anybody else's anyday!
:D

You need to come over for some of the ADVRider camp outs befor emaking such statements!
::003::
I would like to!! ::012:: ::003::
 

TierHawg

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I just carry a nalgene bottle full of water in the rear pack. The nalgene seals up tight with no leaks. I fill it with tap water from home cause I 'm cheap, and the bottle doesn't sweat due to the temp.

I tried a Camelbak on my small bike before. I don't care to have weight on my back, and found with full face helmets the only way to get a drink is to remove the helmet anyway.


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jajpko

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TierHawg said:
I just carry a nalgene bottle full of water in the rear pack. The nalgene seals up tight with no leaks. I fill it with tap water from home cause I 'm cheap, and the bottle doesn't sweat due to the temp.

I tried a Camelbak on my small bike before. I don't care to have weight on my back, and found with full face helmets the only way to get a drink is to remove the helmet anyway.


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Why do you have to remove your helmet? I just snake the hose under the chin bar and take drink when I want.
 

num

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it's really all preference, the only time i use a bladder is when i'm camping. If i have bottles it's cause i buy them and i want something cold, I also have a thermos for the hot stuff.

That beging said.
I chew gum when i ride most of the time.
::021::
 

TierHawg

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japako said:
Why do you have to remove your helmet? I just snake the hose under the chin bar and take drink when I want.
I run the Camelbak military version with the covered bite valve. I can draw water thru it with a helmet on, just the angle is awkward for me and the flow is restricted.

On the ST, I won't wear a backpack. I can carry everything I need for a long days ride in my small Motofiz pack. The pack even has built in storage for small water bottles. I just use the space for empty cans and trash.
 

jajpko

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TierHawg said:
I run the Camelbak military version with the covered bite valve. I can draw water thru it with a helmet on, just the angle is awkward for me and the flow is restricted.

On the ST, I won't wear a backpack. I can carry everything I need for a long days ride in my small Motofiz pack. The pack even has built in storage for small water bottles. I just use the space for empty cans and trash.
Thanks for that info. I had never seen a bite cover until I did a search. Can understand why it would not work, or at least be a big hassle.
I don't wear my Camelbak, instead I fasten it to my backrest or a duffel bag. I lengthened the hose and it works great..
 
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