'New' Water Bottle Holder

[BOXX3R]

I live in So Cal so a lot of our riding season can be rather warm, and I have riden in Arizona and Nevada where it can get really hot, so I like to have drinking water close at hand while riding.

I have mounted a bicycle water bottle cage to the left side cover, and it works great to grab a drink while at a light or even while riding on long stretches of open road. But to put the bottle back into the cage I have to take my eyes off the road and turn around to locate the cage.

I heard about Hog Troughs on here and decided to try and make my own, and ordered a spare cover just in case it did not work out or in case I screwed it up. On the first try I mounted the cage directly to the pop in cover (first pic) as low as I could. But when I tried it out the left air deflector hit the top of the bottle when I cranked the bars to the left. On to plan B.

I got a piece of 1/4" thick by 1 1/4" wide aluminum strip and made an extension to mount the cage 2 1/4" lower. I used the original lower hole as the new top hole and to mount the bracket and cage to the cover. I also drilled a new hole at the top of the bracket to help secure it to the cover, and another hole on the bottom of the bracket to mount the lower part of the cage on to.

Now I have NO clearance issues and can easily reach the bottle and put it back while keeping my eyes on the road. And there is still plenty of room for my foot when shifting.



It takes a good tug to get this cover to pop out, so I am pretty confident it will stay in place even with a full bottle of water.

 

[Recall]

That looks good. I have been wrestling with this problem myself. Not enough room on the stock bars for a ram mount setup that I have used before. Thanks for sharing.

 

[GARYD]

Why not mount it to either the right hand (where I have mine) or the left hand control housing?
Then you don't have to take your eyes off the road at all. And if you get the Thermos Funtainer bottle with the flip up lid, you can look straight ahead with out tilting your head back to drink.

Never once taking your eyes off the road. ThumbUp

 

[BOXX3R]

Why not mount it to either the right hand (where I have mine) or the left hand control housing?
Then you don't have to take your eyes off the road at all. And if you get the Thermos Funtainer bottle with the flip up lid, you can look straight ahead with out tilting your head back to drink.

Never once taking your eyes off the road. ThumbUp

Personally I am not a fan of bar mount or control housing mount water bottle holders, as all of the possible locations would put a bottle either in the way of a seeing a gauge and or stick out/up like a sore thumb. So this unused lower cover works for me as it is still easy to reach, but hardly noticeable.

And like recall stated, there is not much room on these bars, as I already have a RAM mount ball for my Contour camera, and I prefer the bottle be on the left side so I can grab it with my non throttle hand.

I looked at Thermos Funtainers and a plethora of other water bottle and drink containers. But this CONTIGO Sheffield SS double wall bottle with flip up drinking spout is the best thing since sliced bread and the the BEST water bottle that I have ever used.

 

[GARYD]

You're a better man then I if you can put that water bottle back in that holder without taking your eyes off the road - I couldn't do it. ThumbUp

Your bottle and my Funtainer have the same operation.

My holder doesn't block any of the gauges and is well within reach of either hand.
It's also a handy place for my ear plugs when I get off the bike.

I can see you couldn't put yours on the left handlebar with that rocker switch in the way so I guess the only place you could put it was on the lower.

 

[Trikin]

Does the heat off the engine heat up your cup?

 

[BOXX3R]

You're a better man then I if you can put that water bottle back in that holder without taking your eyes off the road - I couldn't do it. ThumbUp

I have to take my eyes off the road to put it back, but no longer than any of us take our eyes off the road to look in the mirrors, at a gauge, the Nav screen or at a street sign. And if you can look in your mirrors or at the gauges without technically taking your eyes off the road.....then you are a better man than all of us But IMO this location is safer to put it back than when the bottle is in the side panel holder.

To Trikin: This bottle Stainless Steel double wall bottle does not get hot even when it is on the side panel that is just inches away from the exhaust pipe. It is advertised to be able to hold ice for up to 18 hours, and believe me IT WILL. I rode from Needles to Barstow in 106 degree heat and had cool water to drink the whole way, and then some.

I just got back from a 100 mile ride down to and up Ortega Hwy. I was gone for over 3 hours and most of the water is gone (I drank it) but most of the ice is still there.

 

[Trikin]

That's great! I've got a basic handlebar cup holder and it doesn't take long for the plastic water bottle to heat up in it.

 

[GARYD]

I agree about the GPS and gauges but not the mirrors or street signs. You're still looking at the road while looking at the mirrors and street signs.

Anything below the windshield is not the best location, but may be the only place to put a holder. I don't have to take my eyes off the road for a split second retrieving/drinking/replacing my container.

BTW. I never drink while in traffic.....only when it's safe.

Not familiar with a "side panel holder".

Trikien, ordinary plastic/metal bottle/cup will get warm. You HAVE to get an insulated bottle either metal or plastic - preferably metal.

 

[GoSlo]

To Trikin: This bottle Stainless Steel double wall bottle does not get hot even when it is on the side panel that is just inches away from the exhaust pipe. It is advertised to be able to hold ice for up to 18 hours, and believe me IT WILL. I rode from Needles to Barstow in 106 degree heat and had cool water to drink the whole way, and then some.

I just got back from a 100 mile ride down to and up Ortega Hwy. I was gone for over 3 hours and most of the water is gone (I drank it) but most of the ice is still there.

I couldn't agree more. Most of the people I ride with now all have this same water bottle and it is amazing. Your water will be gone long before the ice inside melts. Not sure I understand why, but it works!!

 

[BOXX3R]

I went on a 790 mile round trip ride this past weekend and the new water bottle location worked out great. But....being in a location with almost no air flow and so close to the cylinder, the outside of the bottle itself did get a bit toasty to the touch. The water was still cool to the last drop, but in this location and in 106-113 degree heat the ice melts faster than when it is in the side panel holder (see the second pic in post #4)

And I also.....ONLY drink when it is SAFE!

 

[GARYD]

You're right, the side panel location looks like the worst place to put a cup holder. Wouldn't it be hard to reach if you have a passenger?