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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #1  
Old 28 Oct 2008
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Water Carrying techniques?

Are there any tips for this? Things that have been at least somewhat tested?

I am trying to carry 20 liters, but not have it slosh around. I am also trying to ensure that I have it secured to the outside of my panniers, as I don't want to give up space, unless I have to.

My bike will be a R1200GSA with factory panniers if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance!
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  #2  
Old 28 Oct 2008
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Swiss army water bag

There is a black water bag manufactured for the swiss army which is extremely rugged and , being a rubberised bag, will fit into most spaces.

They are not eay to find, but someone might steer you in the right direction

Cheers

John
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  #3  
Old 28 Oct 2008
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2 for £16 + postage - wassersack

I have used these for years now - marvellous things and pack flat too



Contact the seller and he will post to the Uk
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  #4  
Old 28 Oct 2008
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thanks for the link... That is the ticket...
One more question:
What are some good ways to carry them? In the pannier, outside the pannier?

I thought about the TT KDS Bag, but don't really like the carrying bag itself.

Once again, thanks!
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  #5  
Old 28 Oct 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ozaround View Post
thanks for the link... That is the ticket...
One more question:
What are some good ways to carry them? In the pannier, outside the pannier?

I thought about the TT KDS Bag, but don't really like the carrying bag itself.

Once again, thanks!
Well I think the best way to carry them is in or on a Mercedes G wagen but that is a whole other debate - seriously though if you carry them in the sun you will have piping hot water at the end of the day. They are very strong with rope handles on each end to tie down with so you could easily fasten them to a rack - just remember 20 litres weighs 20 kilos
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  #6  
Old 29 Oct 2008
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Those bladders from wine casks are a good way to go - plus you have to drink the contents before putting water in them. Using 4 x 5 litres means that not all your eggs (or water) are in the one basket if things start to leak. As you use the water the bladder contracts a bit, so they dont slosh as bad as a single 20 litre container.

They come in handy for pillows as well.

I used to put mine in a couple of tank bags on the pot racks of a BM650.
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  #7  
Old 29 Oct 2008
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20 lts?

Just one question! Why do you need to carry so much water?? FYI, The suspension on the 1200GSA is crap so you want to keep the bike as light as possible. Remember that you already have over 30 lts of fuel. But if you use it only on the tar then it may hold up for you?

Good luck!
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Old 29 Oct 2008
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My question exactly

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dingo View Post
Just one question! Why do you need to carry so much water?? FYI, The suspension on the 1200GSA is crap so you want to keep the bike as light as possible. Remember that you already have over 30 lts of fuel. But if you use it only on the tar then it may hold up for you?

Good luck!
Where are you going?

Lets say 45 litres of petrol gets you 300 miles (thats 30 mpg, which would be amazing off road with 20+ kg of water and 45 kg of fuel plus all your other stuff). If you headed straight into the Sahara and broke down half way to your fuel stop you'd have 150 miles to walk. 150 miles at 3 mph (going some with a 25 kg pack) takes 50 hours or 6 days. 20 litres of water at 7 litres a day means 3 days with enough to drink, then 3 without. You'd still live or die depending how fit you were. I'd also suggest that doing this (theoretical) journey alone would be pretty insane. If you work on the theory of a 75 mile walk you only need 15 litres as for the last few hours you can go without. If you were on a highway and can get say 200 miles from a petrol station surely another vehicle will come along before you use even 5 litres and the road builders will put phones every 25 miles at least?

Did I get the maths wrong? I very much doubt that there are many places you can get on a bike that someone won't pass by in a couple of days unless you are deliberately heading for a remote spot?

If you are thinking local supplies may not agree with your stomach, water purification kit is a lot lighter than water and the cost of buying bottled water is less than the petrol/suspension parts used in carry it.

I'd keep 10 litres for domestic use, buy as much bottled water as I could drink at each petrol stop and keep the weight down to avoid having to walk. I run a 10 litre (plastic) jerry can of water in the chair, a 2 litre bladder (for two) on the rack and maybe the dregs of an unused plastic bottle bungeed on the rack. The bog standard 1 or 1.5 litre plastics water can be bought in are surprisingly tough BTW.

Andy
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  #9  
Old 29 Oct 2008
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Another offer would be Ortlieb waterbags in different sizes. Very strong as well. See here: Ortlieb Water Bag - 10 litre by Ortlieb - Penrith Survival Equipment secure online shop
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  #10  
Old 29 Jan 2009
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I use these:
They pack fairly flat when not used. I have had one leak due to an unsecured nozzle, flooding my pannier. Because of the weight, I try to keep it low in the bag.
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  #11  
Old 29 Jan 2009
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If you want to/must use stiff tanks, and don't want sloshing, you could probably use the foam, racers use, to avoid gasolin sloshing in the tank. It weighs next to nothing, is very open an doesn't suck op the liquid:
Tank Foam - [part no.OU000017T] - OPPRACING Products

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