Texas T wrote:.... before heading to Denver for the meet. While at the meet I'll take a look at some of the onboard hydration systems that some of the riders use. With Brenda riding pillion she can use the Geigerrig to spray cool water down my back while we're on the move.
This summer, I need to be concerned about hydration systems for 2 on the FJR.
Typically, when riding solo, FJR hydration systems reside on the pillion seat, pillion footpegs, or aft rack. None of these areas are available while riding 2-up with the Givi top box, obviously.
So I had to employ a little outside-the-box thinking regarding an on-board hydration system when carrying a pillion... because I am taking my girlfriend Paula to the IBA Meet in Denver next week, and she will be earning her first SaddleSore on the way there.
So..... here's the way I am going to have to carry water. Not the most optimal placement, but carrying a pillion removes all the classic places to mount your FJR water container....
Side view.... I don't really care for placement this high and aft of the rear axle, but there is just no other reasonable position for it. At least the short, relatively squat rectangular container is an excellent size for this application..... not too big, yet still holds a reasonable amount of ice/water:
Below, you can see how the upper part of the tube is zip-tied to the rack right at the barbed quick-disconnect (allowing me to just carry the cooler into the gas stop to replenish ice/water), and then again to a zip-tie keeper lower on the Givi lid. This ensures that this crucial aft section of the drinking tube remains securely in place (and doesn't "tug" on the bulkhead fitting or flail in the airstream) while underway at speed:
Here is the critical piece of the puzzle: creating a leak-free water pick-up line. A short section of 3/8" tubing is a perfect soft "press-fit" into the bulkhead fitting opening, sealed with clear silicone. The business end of the pickup tube is affixed with a brass fitting to provide weight, sinking the end of the tube to the bottom of the cooler:
Below is the final installation. Two black 1" nylon strapping retains the cooler just fine at interstate speeds. A classic Camelback insulated line (with covered bite valve) is connected to the aft clear vinyl tubing. Since the bite valve is going to be passed back and forth between Paula and I while underway, it won't be connected to the usual janitor's key lanyard.
The only slight concern I have left is the total water capacity..... 1.25 gallons between two adults riding through significant heat might not be enough to do the job. We'll see..... too, since there is no aux fuel setup when riding with a pillion, we have to stop more frequently for fuel anyway, so perhaps this 1.25 gallon capacity won't be an issue.
We'll know in about 4 days....
