Who has...

[chunkygoat]

Ok, lame duck question here - but who has a cup holder/bottle holder on their bike - and how do you have it mounted.

These brutal summer days are killing me here, and I'm about to wing it. With a combined 90 degrees, full gear, and a helmet that creates a mild tornado inside the mask - i need some hydration at the occasional red light.

 

[CCHOUSEKY]

One word...Camelbak.

A couple of summers ago, I went on a group ride with some local riders when the temperature was approaching 100 degrees, and in Kentucky in the summertime, with humidity around 70%, it's brutal. I ended up severely dehydrated and had the worst headache of my life that night.

So, I started doing some searching for a way to hydrate easily, even when on the bike. A cup holder wouldn't do me any good since I didn't have a flip-up helmet and it would just look silly on a FZ6. That's when I came upon Camelbaks. I went to my local sporting goods store and picked up the biggest one they had (70 oz.) for about $30. It's the best money I've spent.

You just fill it full of ice and water before a ride, throw it on over your jacket, and you've always got cold, fresh water, even when moving. I can't recommend them enough. And when I start to run low on water, when we stop for gas or just a break, I go into the convenience store and either get the biggest cup of ice they've got or take the Camelbak in with me and ask them to fill it with ice. Once the ice starts melting, you've got more water to drink.

Mine's similar to this:

2010-classic - CamelBak.com

 

[Bikebiz]

Even better, the Yamaha Hydro Pack. Racing hump style

 

[Geoff]

Even better, the Yamaha Hydro Pack. Racing hump style

I thought about picking one of these up, but do u use it while riding? I figure the helmet might get in the way. Or is it just an easy method to pull over and slip it up for a quick drink?

 

[Bikebiz]

That's the idea, but I've personally never tried, I reckon it would be a bit of an effort unless you had a flip-up style helmet. I can wait until the next fuel stop or whatever it is for a drink.

 

[kyle]

You can also get a tank bag that supports hydration packs. You might have to pick up the bladder separately, though.

 

[Wh0M3]

I second the Camelback comment. I have a few of them and use them from biking to hiking to military use. I love them. I haven't tried to ride and drink yet, but I did make sure the bite valve would fit inbetween my helmet and mouth so I could drink. The bite valve with the 90 deg angle works better then a straight line does. It is easy to get dehydrated while riding and you might not even notice it till you stop.

 

[616ah]

FYI - I've seen things similar to the Camelback concept in the camping or outdoor departments at Wallmart, Target, etc in the past. Might be worth a look...

Edit: and I thought I was the only one with a helmet tornado...

 

[AngelFZ]

Even better, the Yamaha Hydro Pack. Racing hump style

Nice !!! I'll see if I can find something like this

 

[jazond]

Like stated earlier in the thread, I like the idea of the tank bag. I have a camelback bladder in mine. Any extra stuff on my back adds to the heat buildup in my jacket. Just fill the bladder with ice water and go!

(empty in that pic)

 

[keira]

I got dehydrated ona ride once and one of my buddies let me use his camelback so I could make it home. It was great - I just kept the tube in my helmet the whole time. they typically have clips, so you could clip it right to the front of your jacket if you didn't want to have it up there the whole time, it would be easy to reach with your left hand even at highway speed.