Going through Southern TX, NM, AZ, UT in 3wks from now.
Thinking maybe take a cooler.
Best recco's?
How attaching? web of bungie cords?
Soft cooler or hard shell?
Pic's of your rig with cooler?
thnx!
I'm with sennister here and run a soft sided roll around cooler on my passenger seat. It doesn't actually sit on the seat - I use a collapsible dolly that, though it has its own wheels, I set its frame on a piece of wood that actually rests on the grab bars. I secure that using ratcheting tie-downs. I then attach the cooler by setting its wheels into and between the frames of the dolly (just happened to fit perfectly!). I secure that to the dolly frame using regular tie-downs.
I run an extended drinking hose from the bladder to my helmet so I can sip as needed without having to stop - you'd be amazed how much more likely you are to drink enough when you don't have to stop to do so. When its REALLY hot (say above 95, I run with the hose in my mouth all the time, but under that will keep it secured to my tank bag so I can insert it as needed. Have done so with a full face helmet, but it is much easier with a modular (flip-up).
The pros of this setup are:
Capacity for a 100 oz water bladder, a six pack of beer (for the end of the day, in case I find myself in a dry county), and still take a 6 to 8 lb bag of ice which is usually enough to keep it all chilly for a full days ride.
Makes a great back-rest
Provides for additional storage on top and in side pockets.
Melting ice provides plenty of cold water to soak your t shirts, headbands, etc.
Cons:
Though removable, I generally don't unless I'm stopping somewhere for multiple days, so don't plan on accessing your under-seat storage on a routine basis.
Melted ice means you'll need to siphon out the water at the end of the day. Thinking bout trying dry ice, but supply seems problematic.
For filling, I use a small camping dry bag to fill with ice from hotel machine and then pour into cooler or occasionally buy a bag of ice when necessary.
I used this rig on first on my 1100 and now on my 1300 for over 100,000 miles and just LOVE it. Only sucked the bladder dry before then end of the day twice - once on my State Capitol tour when we pulled into Phoenix AZ at noon and the temp was 104, and once again on the return leg from my 4 Corners tour when we pulled into Yuma AZ at 4:00 PM and the temp was 114! (highest temp I ever rode in)