Guns and Motorcycles

[Dusty Rusty]

Hi Everyone!

I have been searching the older threads and haven't found one to answer my question so here goes. I just became the proud owner of a new motorcycle. Took the MSF course in August, got my license a couple of weeks ago and am very slowly learning about my bike's abilities. BTW, since I'm short and have never driven any bike, I got a Honda Rebel, which fits me just fine for now. 55 is never to old to learn! Now I am wondering, how do I carry on my bike? Holster, saddlebag, what? I certainly don't want to have an accident and have the gun go off on top of everything else. Any one have any suggestions? Darn weather is getting too cold to practice riding much but...I want to be ready.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim Reaves]

I ride a bike and carry my weapon in a tank bag. It sits on the gas tank,
and when you stop, it is immediately available. It has come in handy several times. Take my word for it and don't ride in the bad neighborhoods. Stopping at stopsigns can be hazardous to your health. Ha
It is amazing how fast you can pull your weapon out of that tankbag.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Get a leather vest from www.coronadoleather.com. Built in holsters!

 

[MountainBear]

Assuming you have your CCW, I would use a shoulder holster. I carried mine when I rode long trips and noone was ever the wiser. Glad to hear you took off your training wheels...

 

[Sheldon J]

What ever works best for you

is the only answer that is the correct one. Me I use a pancake with a long jacket in the early spring and fall, the leather vest is comfortable but a dead give away on a hot day. So I will usually go for the the inside holster BTY I carry a full size HK USP. Now Arizona is fun because you can open carry there and no one notices.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I just got my first street bike(suzuki boulevard 50ci) a year ago and have been riding alot A shoulder holster is probably the most comfortable if you are going to be wearing a jacket. I bought an old Galco vertical holster for $25 at a garage sale and it works great. In the summer months it is too hot to wear a jacket for just riding around town, so an IWB works ok with a vest or heavier shirt over it. A lighter shirt (T-shirt) will get wipped around by the wind and will either print or lift up and expose your pistol.

IMO saddle bag carry is not an option. I don't have locking saddle bags and I don't leave anything in them that it would break my heart to lose. I have yet to have anyone mess with my saddle bags, but they are not secure enough for a gun.

As far as accidents go, the gun going off is the least of your worries. If you have a revolver, keep the hammer down on an empty cylinder, but most autos and newer revolvers should be able to take a serious impact with out compromising their safety.
The other concern is what the gun will do to you. You will have a hard chunk of metal strapped to your body and, if you land on it, it could do serrious damage to your body. I would never carry "Small of the back" because a fall could break your spine. I prefer the shoulder rig instead of IWB/OWB because IMO it is easier to recover from a few broken ribs vs a broken hip.

These are a few things to consider, what works for me may not work for you.

Have fun and stay safe.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

I got a Honda Rebel, which fits me just fine for now. 55 is never to old to learn!

A Honda Rebel was the first new bike I ever bought. they are a very nice little bike. I envy you. I want a new bike soooo bad but my partner will not allow me to have one due to past injuries (I used to ride motor cross and have a couple pieces of metal in me because of that). I want a Suzuki DR650SE so bad I can taste it.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

I post this out of jelousy over the bike more than anything, but 3 kids and a recent self diagnosed AR-15 addiction have prevented me from getting another On a serious note, Terminator 2 shows us all the proper way to arm a motorcycle. Just please don't cut down a real '87 Winchester to do it.

 

[orionengnr]

I ride year round, and

Pocket carry seems to work the best for me. I am currently experimenting with IWB options for "Winter" (such as it is here).

Until I come up with something better, it's Kahr PM9 in DeSantis Nemesis for nine months, Kahr P45 in (same) DeSantis Nemesis for three months.

 

[statelineblues]

I've been riding over 25 years - I've worn shoulder rigs for the most part, but I like the idea of the tank bag (can't do it on mine, tho - '83 HD FLHTP police bike ). Useful in a number of ways and the good ones come right off, so you can take it with you; plus, if you go down, it's protected and as fab'fink said, you won't have a couple of pounds of metal jabbing into your body.

Great to know you took the MSF course - was an MSF instructor for 10 years.

PlayboyPenguin: forget the suzi - go for the Ducati S2R1000 !

 

[dm1333]

Get a good riding jacket

The pocket of my Hein Gericke will easily hold my 9mm or .40. The jacket is heavy leather and bulky so you never notice the pistol is in the pocket. My pocket is on the left side. If you keep a weapon in a tank bag what do you do if you make a stop somewhere?

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

"...Me I use a pancake with a long jacket in the early spring and fall, the leather vest is comfortable but a dead give away on a hot day..."

Protective garments worn while riding a motorcycle is the correct thing to do, a sign of riding professionalism, and will never be viewed as a giveaway. It can be 100* Fahrenheit and many dedicated motorcyclists will be seen wearing their full leathers, boots, gloves, and helmet when out on two wheels.

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[Majic]

I use the same belt holster I wear all the time. Always with me, don't have to worry about taking anything off the bike, and easy to get to (no pulling at zippers). If I go down then bad things are going to happen anyway and I have been swinging a leg over one for 30 years.

It can be 100* Fahrenheit and many dedicated motorcyclists will be seen wearing their full leathers, boots, gloves, and helmet when out on two wheels.

Generally when you see someone in full leather when the thermometer tops 100 then they are either new riders, on a road trip, or ones who will hit excessive speeds at the drop of a hat.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Might be nice to learn to draw and fire with your LEFT hand

 

[UglyGlock]

I carry in one of those "fanny pack" things with a holster built in. When on the bike i either take the whole thing off and put it in the tankbag, (only when wearing rain gear) careful to point the barrel away from myself. Most of the time i rotate the pack to the left, out of the way of the gastank.

Sometimes i carry a derringer in my jacket pocket.

Biggest downside i see operating a firearm while wearing leather gloves.

 

[chris in va]

P11 in a DeSantis IWB holster in my right jacket pocket. Not the quickest draw method but at least I have something.

 

[Axman]

A Honda Rebel is what I ride. Consult your state laws if you don't have a CCW permit.

 

[461]

I use a tankbag myself for my SP-101 and just shove it in my riding jacket pocket when I leave the bike. I've never given it a lot of thought and this is just what I've always gone with. I guess a shoulder rig would be best but I've just never warmed up to them personally.

The Rebel is a cool little bike and you'll never have more fun on a bike than your first one so enjoy it thoroughly.

 

[Geronimo45]

Anybody ever put a rifle scabbard on a motorcycle? It'd be an interesting idea.
If you go with a holster, I'd say to go with one with a retention strap of some kind... or a gun with a lanyard, at least.

 

[No_Brakes23]

Generally when you see someone in full leather when the thermometer tops 100 then they are either new riders, on a road trip, or ones who will hit excessive speeds at the drop of a hat.

Well some of us who wear full leathers just think that premium cow and kangaroo hide is cheaper than skin grafts.

You comment is akin to saying that only new shooters and unsafe shooters wear ear/eye protection.

 

[Axman]

A year ago I was struck and nearly killed on my last bike. I partially attribute my leather apparel to my successful recovery. It's definitely worth gearing up even in the warmer weather, the air flow will keep your body temp low enough when you're moving.

Now, back on topic...

I was contemplating just slinging my .22 rifle over my should for the next range trip. It's not concealled and even thought he A.R.S. says it must be in a belt holster, I think it would depend on the AZ DPS officer who spotted me with a rifle. No different than a rifle in a rack of a truck window. Might be better to put it in a case with a sling instead just to prevent any incidental damage.

 

[Smurfslayer]

Nowhere near your hard parts

Think about it. If you examine a leather suit, Aerostich(cult fav. here) etc., look where the armor is. There's a reason it is where it is, and those are locations you don't want a solid object right next to if you experience a "get off".

PP brought up the issue of shooting with your gloves on. Under limited circumstances, not a bad suggestion, however, as for shooting LH, think about this. You're sitting at a light, nobody behind you (yet). What does MSF say about being in gear? Now, where will your left hand be?



Probably on the clutch. Don't sell this short, Some POS from the tarheel state almost sent me to an early meeting with the Bigguy, and praise be to MSF for teaching when to be in gear.

You may be able to avoid a confrontation easier on a bike if you're adept at riding. That said, unless you're on top of the situation entirely, with no means of escape, engaging a hostile while on a bike is the territory of hollywood.

 

[RonC]

I carry my handgun in a tank bag.

I don't want that big chunk of steel next to my body in case of a get-off.

I totaled a bike a few years ago, went headfirst into a post at 35 mph, and crashed to the ground. My helmet took the force of the post hit, and my protective gear left me without a scratch - except next to where I had my extra set of keys in an inner jacket pocket. I ended up with a nasty bruise due to the keys. So, I keep my gun off of my body.

Ron

 

[mpmarty]

2 Wheel Carry

I carry my .45 in a belly bag over my left hip while on the bike and on the outside of the leathers. I always wear leathers, boots, gloves and just a couple of months ago I defused a road rage attack. I pass a guy in a little ford courier pickup w/canopy in a passing lane on my BMW R1150RT. Pulled ahead of him by at least six or seven car lengths and slowed back down to about 60mph in a 55 zone (he had been poking along at 45) a mile later here he is less than two feet from my tail light and swinging his front end side to side like he wanted to hook me and "nerf" me off the road. I twisted throttle and ran away from him at 75mph and lo and behold here he comes right back at me with the same tactic. At that point, I pushed ahead a few more miles per hour and with my left hand ripped open the belly bag and pulled the 45 and held it vertically in plain view of this moron. He stopped, pulled a U turn and vanished. I have kept a look out for this jerk ever since but never spotted his rig again.

 

[RonC]

No more tailgaters!