Just posted this in GSpot today https://advrider.com/f/threads/hydration-on-gsa.1365335/#post-36956525
I love MSR products but my dromedary bag still taste like plastic, it has been cleaned, washed, dried....I just use it for cooking water. I use 3l and2l Camelbaks for drinking water. With the mix I can carry 11l of water plus a filter for when we have a water source.
Have you got the new ones or the old ones?, mine are the old ones and what I do is fill them a few days before a trip and let them sit, then empty them and refill the day I’m leaving and I haven’t ever had the plasticy taste.
The plastic taste will go away if you rinse with alcohol. The cheapest way to do this is to use cheap vodka. Jon
That's a good idea as it will kill off any bacteria inside as well... FWIW, I have a 10 ltr MSR Dromedary bag as well and it is about 10 years old and still as solid as when new. They may be pricey but with a bit of care will last a long time..YMMV
I have a camelbak that I keep in the freezer when not used. 2.5L. I've never had the need to take several days worth of water, even when 2up. I need to get gas fairly often, and where there's gas , there's water. So I top up the camelbak and maybe throw an extra 500ml bottle or 2 in the luggage. I'll hang the camelbak from the handlebars and use that for cooking and drinking. I have a water filtration unit I use for backcountry kayaking, but haven't found the need to carry it on the bike, yet. If gas station water keeps increasing I may take the filter. Most of my riding includes waterside camping and fishing. We're not going very far in Canada and not hitting water.
Neighbor across the street works for Starbucks. "Might you be able to get me one of those coffee-in-a-box bags, that hasn't been used?" She did. Zero cost, although I offered to pay. Works quite well and the box, while a bit bulky, give sufficient protection. I've never measured the capacity, but I'd guess it's a gallon-plus. Strong aluminized plastic. Collapses to small/thin shape. When I'm not having to transport water it's great in camp: like a large water bottle there for cooking or drinking or cleaning. Instead of three trips to the faucet/pump, it's one per day.
Mostly I try to carry my water in things that don't leak. Just kidding. I have been using a collapsible jug that looks kinda like a 1 gal. milk jug bought it at Academy sporting goods. BTW it is about 10 yrs. old now no leaks.
Faucet/Pump? Oh, you're one of those kind of campers. I don't think people worried about carrying, a day or more worth, of water are camping as often in paved RV park type campgrounds with running potable water. Lol
Another vote here for msr dromedary bags. They are tough, don't take up space when empty. On longer solo desert trips where I've seen temps of 120 degrees i start off with 3 gallons which is heavy and cumbersome so I op for 2 smaller bags and split the pack for balance in the whoops or technical riding and for safety (if i crash and somehow puncture 1 bag i still have one bag with water). Additionally I wear a 3L camelback. I have done many off road trips in Mexico, thousands of miles each busted shocks, footpeg bolts etc etc but never a problem with the bags. Re: your rack I am also on a xr650r and made my own rack which is simple and strong (Outlasted 2 motors and co riders store bought racks) but it aint real pretty :) i also keep the weight down on the rack/subframe with soft bags, 2 lb tent, 1lb sleeping bag etc... Here's a couple pics of my rack. Have fun!
A question for those using rotopax for water, how much does the container weigh?, I don’t use my gobi hard cases on the bike hardly anymore because of the weight , not bagging you for using them, everyone has different needs .