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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 29 Jan 2007
Chris D (Newcastle NSW)'s Avatar
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Carrying drinking water
Any thoughts on carrying that vital stuff that keeps us alive, water. Last year I met a fellow on the Plenty Highway in Northen Territory, Australia, riding a motor scooter with about 500km to the closest town, his water supply seemed rather limited given the small motorcycle he was riding. How does the average motor cyclist have the safe amount of water on hand and how is this replenished in arid areas? I believe the minumum safe intake of water is between 3 and 5 liters per day. How does the rider carry enough water for any more than a few days?Chris
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Old 29 Jan 2007
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On the road you see lots of varieties of water transport ;-) One guy had strapped a 1 1/2L bottle on a home-made rack just above his pistons (Beemer flat twin). I suppose that would come close to preparing water for a tea-break... Another idea was a rack fastened to the cockpit with a bottle-holder left & right of the headlight made for the standard 1 1/2L bottles.

Another good idea was where a guy removed one of the mufflers on his 650 BMW (two are absolutely silly on a single :-() and fitted a water tank instead. Additionally he had fitted two plastic tubes onto the frame behind the front wheel: the top (smaller) tube for tools and the bottom (larger diameter) as water tank. I usually carry a 10-L and a 2-L waterbag for these purposes plus my 3-L Camel Bak.
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Old 29 Jan 2007
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water
Hi I have water in the lowest room (compartement?) in my Oxford tank bag, it fits a 10 L waterbag, and then I carry aditional litters around. It gives better ballance on the bike, instead of carrying everything at the back, which is where I carry extra fuel

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Haakon
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  #4  
Old 29 Jan 2007
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I wear a 2 Lt Camelbak. I have often put 1 lt bottles in my tank paniers and have two, 4 Lt MSR water bags that I can fill as needed. They can be strapped just about anywhere. That takes care of me in the US southwest deserts, Baja etc. I have never run out, however, like petrol, I never pass a water point without filling up when traveling off piste or in remote areas I am not familiar with.

C
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Old 29 Jan 2007
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Water and gas are two things I actually watch carefully (not much for mechanical stuff). I always where my camelback and make sure there is at least some water. I also have a water bag that I sometimes fill with water or ice. The only problem is that it can get heavy.
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Old 30 Jan 2007
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In Latin America
I just stop and buy nice, cold .
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  #7  
Old 30 Jan 2007
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Water
Lack of water kills in this country. At least one person a year. Does not get much publicity.

Water is heavier than fuel so should be carriered lower. Tools heaver than water so lower still.

If you carry tinned food .. or other food that contains water then that is counted in your total water.

Washing up? Use sand! reduces your water consumption. Don't clean your teeth - less water consumption. Yep things are errr dry.

Learn not to exert your self, take it easy and you won't consume as much water.

You can find water 'out there' but you have to know what to look for and what is 'safe'. But carring it is best - you then know what you have.


I can stretch 10 liters of water (not counting the tinned food) for 3 days ... but it is not summer when I do that.
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Old 8 Feb 2007
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hello. Chris^.^
(This is my 2nd post. so I can not send message in HU. so I reply for your message on here.(-.-

I'm glad to meet you too. Chris.
You're the first man who send message to me in HU. Thank you.

You are OZ. Oh...(^o^)
A few years ago. I traveled Australia during almost 1 year.
you know. There are so many workingholiday makers in Aus.
I was one of them.

I also do not ride now. but I wish.
I am glad to find HU.
but, I have to learn English more. huhu....

See you. Chris.
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  #9  
Old 9 Feb 2007
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Camel Back Bladder
I remove the bladder from the back pack and put it in the tank bag with the drink tube hanging out. This allows drinks on the fly, weight further forward and no stress on the back muscles with the weight of 2 litres plus of water.

Glen
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Old 10 Feb 2007
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Hi Chris,

I rode the Plenty Highway back in April 2001, sure is remote, seem to remember that it was 265miles from Tobermoray to Gem Tree just for fuel, only saw one to two vehicles each day.
I carried 13 ltrs of water, 10 ltrs in a plastic can strapped to the passenger seat and the rest in Pop bottles in the top box, not the best 'solution' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alec.
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