Best Cupholder Ever...For $15

[browad]

I just migrated over to an 06 LT from my 03 Fat Boy, and took my cupholder with me. As the title of this thread indicates, it is the best, if not bestest, cupholder ever. I really cannot sing its praises enough. I purchased mine at Bass Pro (outdoors adventure chain) for $13.99. It's called the Liquid Caddy, and a link is http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=59725&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

I believe you can get it elsewhere if there is no Bass Pro by you, but it is always nice to eyeball something before you buy. And you get to ride there, too.

Why it is so nice:

1) Four different mounting options
2) Cupholder itself is detachable from the mount
3) Cupholder is adjustable both in depth and inside diameter (it uses elastic straps)
4) Cheap. As in <$15 out the door cheap. So get two.
5) Five different colors
6) Gimbaled in every direction. No more third degree burns in the twisties.

Again, it comes with 4 different mounting options. On my HD I used the 1" clamp mount right on the handlebar. As there are no exposed bars on the BMW, I had to think about it for awhile. I came up with using the velcro mount and the velcro extension and used a pair of forceps to feed it around the handlebar tupperware in front of the front brake master cylinder.

These attached photos should help. The fourth photo is the cat eyeing my handiwork of attaching armrests to the bike. She doesn't look too impressed.

This is such a well-thought out solution that I always tell people about it. So go forth and do likewise.

If anyone has any questions about it, please respond and I'll help. Sure beats $125.

edit
If you're looking for it in the store, it's in the boating section.
/edit

Cheers,

Adam B
Gainesville, Fl
2006 K1200LT

[hdfan]

The best part about being a newby on this Forum is that someday, someone else will be newer...!

BMW has a cupholder. It works and costs about $150 give or take. It is very cool and it holds a cup. Now you might be asking why would anyone spend so much money for something that does the same thing as something that I can buy for way less? For you answer I would ask any of your Harley buddies why they ride Harley's and substitute the words "BMW cupholder" for the words "Harley" and you have it!

All in good fun from an HDFan. Actually looks like a good product and I do like the gimbaled action. Thanks and welcome.

[cccpastorjack]

Looks really good. Thanks for sharing the information. But...does it clear the tank on a full right turn? Hope so...

[browad]

It does clear on both full left and right extensions. The first picture is full right, and it still clears the bike by a fair margin. Being fully gimbaled, you can fiddle with the mount for more or less clearance and still retain full functionality.

Cheers,

[hschisler]

The way I see it, you owe me (and many other BMW cupholder owners) about $100 -- as in, $115 - $15. Where were you when we bought our BMW cupholders? :rolleyes:

The only thing I can add is: Thanks for the tip on the cat transporter. :D

Welcome to the site, and thanks for the tip.

[browad]

I won't even tell you how long I was searching for a good cupholder. Not an ok cupholder, but one that would actually hold a thermos of coffee without a trip to the ER later in the day. I tried making my own...less said about that the better.

[gulfxray]

Cool find Adam; thanks for passing it on!

[UncleRock]

I'd buy that, in fact I think i will get a couple. :D
$115 dollars for a cup holder is almost as stupid as the K1200LT tankbag. Holds one glove and a 1/2 a chapstick
Rock

[hschisler]

I won't even tell you how long I was searching for a good cupholder. Not an ok cupholder, but one that would actually hold a thermos of coffee without a trip to the ER later in the day. I tried making my own...less said about that the better.Search for threads by our Finnish LT friend Ari. He has created an even cheaper method of attaching a thermos to the LT tupperware. A couple of pics are attached.

[browad]

I actually used that cupholder as the base for a homebrew one as well. His looks much better than the bastardization that I came up with.

[STARFIGHTER]

Great
Thanx

[GBaker]

Thanks for sharing that one. This takes one more item off my wish list. Actually I had given the same cup holder a thought as I gave two of them to my Father-in-Law a while back for his boat. But was not sure how/where to put it re the handle bar tupper ware. Thanks for the recon and application study.

I am a Harley guy as well but sure would not spend $115.00 for a H-D cup. Did spend some $$$ on the HD Clothes though and still wearing them FXRG foul weather pants and jacket. And a very nice somewhat non descript leather jacket. Maybe I will risk being tacky and put BMW pins or patches on them...... :bmw:

[messenger13]

Although I rank this by far the best of the make-shift Cup Holders for the LT, I still would have no problem with buying and owning the OEM model. A $115 cup holder for a $20K bike somehow doesn't seem totally out-of-line to me. But then again, I put a pretty high priority on my coffee habit as well. :D

I will try one of these for the GT though. Just because...

[browad]

My problem is that I like to drink my coffee, not wear it. :D

The best container I've found is the Polar Bottle (http://www.polarbottle.com/) (link goes to manufacturer). They can be had around $10 or so. As with all multiuse containers, introduce your bottle/thermos to your dishwasher early and often. You'll both appreciate it.

Cheers,

[messenger13]

My problem is that I like to drink my coffee, not wear it. :D
BMW cup inside BMW cup holder tested to 93.7 mph. Not a drop on me. :) It's a shame that BMW doesn't sell the cup that was specifically designed for their cup holder anymore. :(


http://home.alltel.net/paulsey_dsl/messenger13/30000.jpg

[billd]

Search for threads by our Finnish LT friend Ari. He has created an even cheaper method of attaching a thermos to the LT tupperware. A couple of pics are attached.
As you noticed the cup holder that Ari uses has an unusual connector.. I was surfing for a part on the net and came on a site that sells a device called "Tenax" fasteners.. this is the quick release device on his holder..
With these and a quick mod to many inexpensive car cup holders, you can make yours too!!!
And any other thing that might need to attach with a temporary mount...
I am having all kinds of new farkle ideas pop into my head!! http://eagleday.stores.yahoo.net/tenaxfasteners1.html

[dgl57]

I will buy one of them for sure.
I am always looking for a bargain and would never pay over $100 for a cup holder, they are other options for less.
Welcome onboard Adam

Dan

[mjordans2000]

Although I rank this by far the best of the make-shift Cup Holders for the LT, I still would have no problem with buying and owning the OEM model. A $115 cup holder for a $20K bike somehow doesn't seem totally out-of-line to me. But then again, I put a pretty high priority on my coffee habit as well. :D

I will try one of these for the GT though. Just because...
Not only does the 'expensive' BMW Cup holder work, it makes for a great finale when showing of your bike. I've gotten more than my moneys worth watching and listening to the reactions I get when I push the button and that expensive piece of enginerring pops into action.

[pozo_izquierdo]

As you noticed the cup holder that Ari uses has an unusual connector.. I was surfing for a part on the net and came on a site that sells a device called "Tenax" fasteners.. this is the quick release device on his holder..
With these and a quick mod to many inexpensive car cup holders, you can make yours too!!!
And any other thing that might need to attach with a temporary mount...
I am having all kinds of new farkle ideas pop into my head!! http://eagleday.stores.yahoo.net/tenaxfasteners1.html

Yup, that seems to be the one! I found mine from a boat store as they are originally ment for holding the boat covers.
I orginally used the 2-screw base peg until I found the machine screw-type peg with nut which I chose for the "Ari's cup holder Evo 2".

Let us know what other uses of these fasteners you come up with!

BTW, just wondering if a tank bag would come on the way of this new "H-D style" cupholder...Anyway it is a nice idea as well, although in my case that place of installation is already occupied.


Regards

[browad]

I have never used a tank bag, so never really thought of it. Installed where it is on my bars, right in front of the front brake master cylinder on the handlebars, it probably would interfere. You could move it a bit and still retain the gimbals, but not sure if it would still work.

Hmmm....If you put some type of riser on it to raise the cupholder, that would work. I would imagine that the first few generations would look....interesting.

The restriction with this cupholder, as with any other gimbaled mount, is that the majority of the weight of the object has to be below the plane of the gimbal. Otherwise, it doesn't function right, and would simply flip over and dump out. And as every gimbaled mount that I've ever seen does not extend upward, it is left to the user to modify it.

Another option is that the Liquid Buddy comes with a plastic clip mount, which is actually quite resilient. You could try and mount that on the slipstream deflector. I'm at work right now looking at some pics, so not exactly sure about clearances.

Yet another option, slightly more permanent, is to epoxy a mount on the lip above the instrument cluster. Getting slightly out there, but still an option. Give me more time, and I'll figure out some really wacked out halfbreed solution that works, but looks like it was made with duct tape, baling wire, and zip ties.

Cheers,

[dshealey]

Ari:

What is the aux. switch assembly you have mounted? Looks nice.

[pozo_izquierdo]

Ari:

What is the aux. switch assembly you have mounted? Looks nice.

Thanks David,

I originally had the BMW Phoenix switch system with stock two switches but I pretty soon needed some more. I found these little led equipped switches in our local Auto parts store. I made the mod two years ago and the switches have held fine all the rain and washings without problems. I spray some dielectric spray in them once or twice per season.

I have also sent the switches for this "sixpack" to two other forum members (Bill Garrison and Mark England) and Mark even decided to make a thorough description of his switch project on his fancy website. You may want to check it out as it tells the whole story...http://www.kc6tew.com/mods/switches/switches.htm

The two extra switches on the right side I added last winter as I needed one more switch for my power seat and the other for killing the power from my back up beeper...

[billd]

Thanks David,

I originally had the BMW Phoenix switch system with stock two switches but I pretty soon needed some more. I found these little led equipped switches in our local Auto parts store. I made the mod two years ago and the switches have held fine all the rain and washings without problems. I spray some dielectric spray in them once or twice per season.

I have also sent the switches for this "sixpack" to two other forum members (Bill Garrison and Mark England) and Mark even decided to make a thorough description of his switch project on his fancy website. You may want to check it out as it tells the whole story...http://www.kc6tew.com/mods/switches/switches.htm

The two extra switches on the right side I added last winter as I needed one more switch for my power seat and the other for killing the power from my back up beeper...


Ari,
We all have a long way to go to catch up with all your modifications .. after all I believe "FARKLE" is Finnish isn't it !!! I have ordered some of these fasteners to start me on the way to some new mod's.... we will see what comes out..