Quite by accident, I found that if there is NO bite valve, the water simply goes back into the thermos... just a few sucks and it's nice and cold.
No taste of plastic, no hot water from sitting in the hose. I actually sit/lean on the hose, works fine. The tube will just fit inside enuf to sip with my full face helmets.
Yes, I dropped the hose a couple of times, lost two bite valves, I've also used just a plastic hose with no cover. The black cover does retain heat a bit.
The setup works quite nicely on my hardley, chopped off some bolt heads and installed the plates where the passengers pegs used to be, a strap over/under the rear seat helps.
Have two coolers, ice water in one side, keep my coffee fixings in the other side. Old age and lousy riding position means I have to stop every couple of hours anyway.
Looks really stupid, cause the blue/yellow covers were supposed to go on a blue FJR, but oh well, nice contrast with the orange saddlebags on a red bike.
mary