water bladder in tank bag

[SQD8R]

Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere so...

I've been toying with the idea of buying a camel back but couldn't justify the expense. I thought about it ever since I saw the Rallye jacket from BMW but the weight of the pack tends to pull down the jacket. Having toured on sportbikes for years I'm not big on having something on my back for long durations especially since that was one of the reasons I got the 12GS, better packing. So I went down to the local camping outfitters and bought just the bladder and spout for next to nothing. In Canada the camel back, backpack combo or just camel back with holder, start @ around $160 CAD while just buying the bladder/spout runs for $30 CAD. Stay away from the name brand camel back stuff and you can get it for $13 CAD. I bought the 3 litre one and it fits, when filled, perfectly @ the bottom of the 12GS BMW bag. Wrap it in a towel to keep condensation off your other stuff and you have more than enough water for a long trip without having to haul it on your back. Bring your tank bag down and see what fits for you.

 

[wessie]

I think I'd rather get off the bike for a drink.

The need to drink or urinate is a good signal that it's time to have a break.

On a long journey I find that any longer than 2 hours in the saddle and your concentration starts to drift. I rarely ride for the full tank range of the GS without some sort of short break. I generally top off the tank so that I can ride for another 2 hour stint after the break.

 

[Tim Cullis]

It's a right pain to fill the water bladder in the BMW Rallye jacket--even more so if you have the goretex insert fitted. I noticed on the recent offroad course that Simon Pavey and Nick Plumb have modified their jackets by cutting through the back so that the filler cap is accessible on the rear of the jacket.

I have the BMW Savanna jacket and tried placing my Platypus in the rear pocket, but the weight was a real pain--sling the jacket over a chair and the chair falls over! Plus the routing of the tube and mouth piece would have been external unless I cut holes in the jacket.

So I can to the same conclusion about mounting the bladder in the tank bag. But I'm having second thought on this as I have my electrical rechanger points there as well, plus cameras, Talkabout, mobile, etc.

Here's an even cheaper source for a drinks container

Tim

 

[Mr K]

I think I'd rather get off the bike for a drink.

The need to drink or urinate is a good signal that it's time to have a break.

On a long journey I find that any longer than 2 hours in the saddle and your concentration starts to drift. I rarely ride for the full tank range of the GS without some sort of short break. I generally top off the tank so that I can ride for another 2 hour stint after the break.

Not really! Once you feel thirsty it's too late - Your concentration etc has dropped and your performance too.
Also don't judge this idea by North European standards: Riding in Spain etc and having the opportunity to sip at a steady supply of hydration is better than stopping for a bigger drink which tends to get p*ssed away rather than hydrating you.

I always ride for the full GS tank range wherever possible.

 

[SQD8R]

yup by the time you feel you need water it's too late and beside taking sips of water throughout a trip minimizes urination time because it's not just running through your system but is actually being utilized better than big drinks @ one time will be. Grab a sip @ a light and not having that weight on your back is a big plus for me.

 

[schnauzer]

bought a brand new camelbak cloudwalker for around £20 from ebay for mountainbiking, i tried the bladder in the back of the rallye 2, but didn't get on with it, so i think if i ever wanted to use it seriously on the bm I'd just have the rucksak on with the bladder inside. I'm more inclined to agree with previous post and stop for a P,cake and coffee.....rather than drinking on the move....

 

[Mr K]

SDQ8R - What can you do?
Pearls cast amongst swine - eh?

 

[SQD8R]

to each his own...it's always good to share ideas, that's what this is all about. BTW it's probably a better deal to use a dry bag to put the bladder in than a towel.

 

[GSmonkey]

I must be a right pikey then 'cos I just lash a mineral water bottle to the rear

 

[Mr K]

I must be a right pikey then 'cos I just lash a mineral water bottle to the rear

Must be a bit tricky to get a drink on the move though?

 

[GSmonkey]

Must be a bit tricky to get a drink on the move though?

....quite happy taking two minutes out to stretch my legs and have a drink. If I've got a bottle of water with me I'm touring which normally implies I have time to stop. Just my way of doing things, but I guess I'm a bit old fashioned not wanting to eat, drink, telephone, listen to music, etc. when on my bike.

 

[Mr K]

I stop when I want to aswell....

Eat, drink, telephone, listen to music