How to stay hydrated on a motorcycle? accessories and equipment

Summer is just around the corner! And thanks to climate change, we'll soon be riding in France under the same mercury as in Africa. But if the Malian camel is a champion of hydration, this is not the case for the French motorcyclist. What solutions exist for carrying water on a motorcycle? How do you stay properly hydrated? Here are our solutions to make sure you never have a parched glottis again!

When riding a motorcycle, it's crucial to be in full possession of your physical and mental capacities. But lucidity evaporates when you're dehydrated! How does this happen? When you're riding in 30-degree weather, or climbing in an enduro, your body (and your engine) heat up. The coolant for your superb anatomical mechanics is perspiration. This fine film of dubious-smelling water that beads on your epidermis lowers your body temperature. How much sweat can you lose? Up to 2.5 liters a day! So it's a good idea to top up your water levels regularly.

What happens in the event of dehydration?

Drop in blood pressure, fatigue, lack of energy, weakness, loss of lucidity, dizziness, you name it. Now, you're going to tell me: all you have to do is run to the local supermarket when you're thirsty, right? Nonsense! That thirsty feeling means you're already in water deficit! You're driving with your brain in a degraded state. Not good.

Just as you fill up your car before driving, allow yourself a good glassful as a preventive measure. What's the worst that can happen? Having to stop for a pee break. Then drink before you feel thirsty. Since this sensation only occurs after you're already slightly dehydrated, keep up the pace: 1/2 liter per hour. Bear in mind that it's better to drink regularly in small sips than to down a liter at a time.

Drink, okay, but drink what? Water or tea. Avoid coffee, sodas and sugary drinks in general. What about binouze or pastaga? Well, drink or drive, the choice is yours! What's more, alcohol will increase your heart rate, accelerating dehydration. In short, the opposite of the desired effect.

Water bottles and jerry cans

Here's the simple, effective solution for carrying water on a motorcycle. SW-Motech, Enduristan, Givi, the brands play the hydration game by offering sturdy, insulating products. Why opt for a "motorcycle" water bottle? It comes with the right bracket to attach it to your top case, side cases or crash bars. And yes, there' s one rule you must respect: don't carry your thermos in your backpack. Because in the event of a crash landing on your back, you can imagine the damage...

----> Water bottle kit 2x0.6L for SW-Motech TraX cases

----> OVERLAND FUEL 4.5-liter water bottle

Hydration backpacks

You've heard of these camel-bags, right? They're the ultimate solution for having water constantly at your fingertips (literally). Volume, style, quality, budget, the range is now almost plethoric. The essential criteria for choosing the right model: a breathable back to avoid sweating, reflective inserts for good visibility and adjustable straps for perfect comfort.

"Hydration bags are more for enduros, aren't they?" Nonsense! Nonsense! Take the Rev'it Load 22l H20, for example. It combines the storage space of a conventional bag, the ability to carry 3.75 liters of water and great resistance to abrasion. You wouldn't want to be without it for your road trips.

BASIC AND MID-RANGE :

----> Acerbis Motorcycle Backpack with WATER SATUH 9L Hydration System

----> Klim QUENCH PAK backpack

----> Enduristan Hydrapak HP03 hydration pouch for Hurricane backpack

SUPERIOR RANGES :

----> OGIO Dakar Black 3L hydration backpack

----> Kriega TRAIL 9 Black motorcycle backpack

Backpack vests

Off-road oriented, this is a piece of equipment you wouldn't spontaneously think of. Yet it offers the storage capacity of a backpack, the water-carrying capacity of a camel-bag and the freedom of movement of a vest. What do we love? Front cargo pockets, as on the Enduro Tur V-One model, for easy access. A great tool, we tell you!

Water pockets integrated into your motorcycle jacket

An integrated camel bag? What exactly are we talking about? They're actually built-in features on your motorcycle jacket. The Scott Dual Raid jacket is a perfect example (available in men's and women's versions). There's a back pocket for a hydrapak water bottle, and the tube's path to your mouth is also anticipated. Pretty ingenious, don't you think?

The camel-bag tank bag

Still relatively undeveloped, this hybrid product allows you to carry 2 to 3 liters of water in ideal accessibility. It's a tank bag with a water pouch, hose and valve, just like a standard camel-bag. Mosko Moto's Nomax model, for example, is designed for enduro riders. And for cruisers on midwestern highways? Thirsty Rock have developed their "hydration tank bag", enabling you to keep your water as cool as ice all day long.

And now you have no excuse to interrupt a ride on the pretext that you need to run to the supermarket to buy water. Among all these solutions, there's bound to be one that suits your riding perfectly. A final word of advice? Don't wait until the heat of the year to equip yourself with a hydration system! Because being well hydrated is essential all year round. We're still talking about water, aren't we!