Cup Holders

[Wind]

Ya see that little yellow spot in the picture on the left handle bar of my bike?

http://www.cyclespot.com/forums/photopost/data/500/15Dscn1610-med.jpg

Thats a bottle-can holder. NEVER put one on your bike. I could write paragraphs explaining how dangerous they are. When my brother, who used to ride, found out I was going to Milwaukee he sent me an article about dehydration and how serious it can be to riders. It really can, but believe me, you're better off to stop and get a drink than to use one of those things. Forget about making good time on a long trip. Stop every 2 hours and get a drink. Stretch, smoke, drink, snack. Waste 10 minutes, then go again.
If anyone is interested in the details of how that thing almost killed me I'd be happy to explain.
I know, some big cruisers have them either built in or added on, but if you have fairings which deflect the wind, that might be a different story.

[Ammoman]

I'm thinking about one of those NFL helmet dual can holders with the straws. Think it will fly Wind? :nut:

[Wind]

I'm thinking about one of those NFL helmet dual can holders with the straws. Think it will fly Wind? :nut:

Not at 60 or 70 mph.

[gixster92]

Wind don't be to sure... I heard ammoman can really suck <jk> and why wait... tell us the story now... and post a better picture I can't make it out...

[paniolo]

Well with a handle like WIND, and a bike with no windshield, I can imagine what happend. I just hope it wasn't hot coffee.

I tried the H-D bottle holder bag on the rear crash bar. It works great at slow speed, but over 60 the wind collapses the bag when you pull the bottle out. Then you have to struggle to put it back in.

So I took an idea I saw from a motorcop. I just use a cage type bicycle water bottle holder and attach it to the rar crash bar with a hose clamp. It works great. I have also seen them attached to handlebars too.

[gixster92]

We are still waiting to hear the CUP HOLDER Story... it must be long it is taking him forever to write it out. :)

[Thurilok]

Camel backs. Look 'em up. They're awesome.

[Wind]

OK, you asked for it, here goes.
First, I don't have any other photos of the cup holder because I tore it off and threw it away as soon as I got to Milwaukee.
I looked at camel backs at the store but didn't like the idea. I will definately consider it next time.

OK, I'm planning the trip to Milwaukee for the 100th party. First long trip, 8-9 hours by car, probably longer on a bike. My brother calls me and warns me about dehydration and then sends me an article written by a proffessional long distance rider. It explains why bikers don't feel the dehydration and what happens to you when you are and how dangerous it can be. I took his warning very seriously.
I go to the local bike shop and buy a cup holder. The exact same thing thats made for a boat except they put an extra handle bar clamp in the package. Its supposed to work like a boat because no matter which way you turn or lean, this thing swings and stays upright. Cool! I figure I've got it made.
I mount it on my bike, its stupid ugly but I figure its a safety issue and it will only be on there a week.
Off I go with a bottle of water. Stupid me, I didn't break the seal before I left, so here I am trying to open it with one hand. The bottle keeps spining and won't open. I pull over, open the bottle, have a drink, and put the cap back on. Once the seal was broken you can twist off the top and pull the bottle out without too much problem, but it did get a little hairy at times. I then decided, forget the cap, so I stuck it in my pocket, I don't litter. Well, when you're doing 70 or better with an open bottle of water, the wind tends to suck the water out of the bottle. So there it goes, out over the highway, my bike, and me.
Its time for a strech and a smoke so I stop and get a bottle of juice for the next leg of my trip. I should mention the construction of this contraption. Its a horse shoe shaped metal bracet connected to a pivot on your bars. The bracket is connected to a plastic basket which holds a spongy rubber "coolie cup" type thing that you put your drink in.
My bottle of juice fit in just fine, but was also just large enough that when I lifted it out for a drink, the "coolie cup" came with it. OK, I can still get a drink this way. Trouble is, when I go to put it back I notice the plastic basket has caught the wind and is now pointed straight backwards. Flying horizontal. The only way to get it back in, while doing 75, is to tilt the bottle forward and wiggle it until you can back it in to the basket. Well, when you tilt your bottle forward, almost horizonal, your juice spills out. There it goes, all over the highway, my bike, and me.
I've just about had it with this stupid thing and the way its making me act stupid and do stupid things on a bike while doing 75. F#*K IT! I'm done. I'm not going to use it. If I get thirsty, I'll stop.
So here I am headed north on Interstate 65. Cruising along, no problems.
The empty bottle holder doesn't have any weight in it so it once again is up flapping in the wind. And sometimes it really FLAPPED. Just like a flag in the wind. So what! What do I care? I didn't untill, at 75 mph, the d@mn thing flaps itself loose from the handle bars, flys off, and hits me in the neck.
Have you ever been hit in the neck by a coolie cup in a plastic basket with a horse shoe metal bracket doing 75? It smarts. Man, you talk about surprised. I was shocked to see that thing coming at me. Thats when I thought I had bought the farm. But I keep everything under control. It then falls on to my lap and I grab it. I was tempted to just wing it off the side of the highway, but I don't litter.
So I pull over, put it in my pack and continue on to Milwaukee. As soon as I get there I'm telling my sister and brother-in-law the story. She shows real concern for my safety as he laughs his butt off.
Regardless, it was a GREAT trip.

[eod_blaster]

Now that's funny! I know it wasn't at the time, but I'm sure you've played it through in your mind and get a chuckle. Good advice though - and from personal experience too!!!! Maybe you should submit this as a "Product Review" :gasthrowe

[NCFatBoy]

Reminds me of my Dad at lunch, he used to do it all the time, he'd come home from work with Coke spilled all down the front of his shirt. I asked him what happened, he would never tell me. Then one day I saw it happen, he was drinking a coke, he set it down and peeled a banana back, took a bite.... picked up his coke, put both in one hand to grab something. Yep, with banana in his fingers and coke in the palm of his hand, he went for a bite of the banana..... you can picture the rest!!!!

[gixster92]

I hope you feel proud of yourself Wind, I think I just wet myself from laughing... did I add my coworkers are certain I am nuts now :) Thanks for the story it was well worth the wait...

[1BADFXST]

What GIXSTER said... :rotflmao:

[Wind]

Yea, when ever I tell the story and start swearing about the cup holder, it does get funny.

[carp2006]

Check out the new hogtrough Harley cup holder.
Cup holder clamps onto your down tubes out of the way, only takes seconds to install & comes with a 1 liter water bottle and a 20oz coffee mug.

[Big Mike]

I had one of those swinging types - piece of junk! I got a plastic cup holder from an old hippy biker at Sturgis a couple of years ago for 20 bucks. Works great. Just remember to set your cup about 2/3 full - it won't spill from vibration.

Mike

[shovelhead73]

When my bike had a batwing fairing, I used to just wdge it between the bars and the innder fairing. Never had any problems.

[Firestarter]

That's a funny story. I've seen people have problems with the ones the HD dealers sell. I love my Barefoot Willie's Drink holder. I've never had any issues with it and it stays in place without swiveling like some of the other ones do.
http://www.ngatraders.com/motorcycle_beverage_holder.html
Road Nazi (hubby) has one mounted on his 03 Ultra and has not had any problems with it and he has 99K on his bike.

[Furcifer]

Where's Piglet? She's the cupholder expert around here... :grinbounc

CamelBaks are great, but I recommend getting the lightest and smallest one. You can refill it at stops. if you've got something like my Kuryakyn GranTour bag behind you on the pillion, you can rig it to that instead of having it on your shoulders. Don't take a chance on a long tube dropping down into the rear wheel, though.

I used a 3.0L CamelBak (Assault) in Iraq, and it saved my life, but on the bike, I prefer to stop and just down a bottle of Gatorade or something. Ideally, frequent stops on a bike is a good idea, and being in a hurry where you can't just isn't.
Also, i'm a coffee drinker, so I just carry my Starbucks cup (they have the BEST lids) and throw it in my saddlebag. Can't drink it going down the road, but hey, to be as safe as possible, I'm better off not fidgeting around with ANYTHING when moving. No way to clutch and swerve with a drink turned up.

Harley travel mugs just suck, so I just buy a sticker and put it over the Starbucks logo.

[Hitman]

The original post is from March 16, 2004, but it's still funny.

Wind is no longer here. (on the forum, that is)