How to carry on a motorcycle

[ForumSurfer]

Having been involved in a bad motorcycle wreck, I highly advise against small of the back carry. Sounds like you've already decided to avoid that. Had I have been carrying in that position I most certainly would have broken my back when I landed on it. I avoid SOB period now. That's just my opinion....

however, I can see that the chances of landing on the gun can be very slim

Again, this is strictly my opinion. I can't tell you where I landed on my body when I hit. I hit and tumbled after impersonating a helicopter blade. That would give that that weapon in your holster repeated impacts. My entire body was swollen very badly for quite some time. Just something to think about.

My wreck was a harsh impact. I believe that if I had been carrying in anything short of a very secure thumb-break holster, my firearm would have left the holster anyway. For crying out loud the impact emptied my pockets (including a very securely clipped pocket knife) and knocked my shoes off. I doubt anything short of a level 3 duty style holster would have kept my weapon retained had I have been carrying.

One opinion, one incident...YMMV

 

[grimjaw]

A gun is a small hard object that should you land on that will concentrate the force of the impact on a small area increasing the chances of injury.

While true, the most damaging hard objects in my crash were the ground and the bike. I went down so quick that I didn't get clear and my left foot was pinned under there at an extremely odd angle while we skidded for 10-15 feet. Any handgun is going to have so little mass compared to everything else that if it did damage you, the impact probably means you were going to be damaged pretty badly anyway. Seriously, in a crash the gun is probably going to be the least of your worries as long as you don't carry in a SOB holster, or in your hand or between your teeth.

The concealment jacket you posted wouldn't work for me for the reason you mentioned; the collar doesn't snap down. I won't generally wear collared shirts unless they're under a jacket and not flapping in the breeze. A hard leather collar will still get blown around. I wouldn't buy another leather jacket unless it had armor in it, either. My current one held up to abrasion like a champ, but I ended up with a cracked rib that might have been prevented if I'd had a chest plate.

ps. and since we're pimping bikes...

 

[ForumSurfer]

as long as you don't carry in a SOB holster

Agreed. I avoid those like the plague now. Just doesn't seem like a good idea to keep a large, heavy object tucked in tight against my spine. I broke enough bones in that incident, I'm glad a vertebrae or two weren't broken.

 

[Salty1]

If I go down on my bike the last worry I will have is what damage the gun may do to me. If I was that concerned about the potential for bodily injury I would not be riding a motorcycle.

 

[Tacbandit]

Hey rideandcarry...I saw those guys doing the 360 carry in Atlanta...on I-85 lol

 

[exabrial]

I hate to say it... but being in two motorcycle accidents (and I still ride) the LAST thing you want tucked close on your person is a heavy solid object like a gun.

If you're a new rider, your chances for an accident in your first season are through the roof statistically... Just something to think about ok?

 

[TheBandit]

yup...i put mine in a tank bag or under my passenger seat.

And I would like to suggest not wearing mesh. I know leather is hot in the summer but I've seen mesh jackets melt and burn into flesh and have to be surgically removed. Pick up a perforated leather jacket for increased wind flow in the summers.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I hate to say it... but being in two motorcycle accidents (and I still ride) the LAST thing you want tucked close on your person is a heavy solid object like a gun.

I tend to agree. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks and spent a few months down recuperating. If nothing else, I'd hate to go looking for my firearm after I get tossed, if I could even get up. After seeing my particular impact, as I said I'd be hesitant to even trust a secure duty holster. My boots (non riding boots, I now see the light! )were laced pretty tight, yet they landed on opposite sides of the road from me. Same reason I no longer carry with one wedged between the console and the seat of a vehicle.

It may fly away when impacted. It may crack your pelvis, spine, sternum or where ever you holster it when you land on it. Or it may cause no further injury. Every wreck is different and I've seen outright weird stuff happen involving motorcycle crashes. These days I have a kid and a mortgage, I need to stay around and take care of both.

To each his own though. I wouldn't recommend against any carry other than SOB, nor am I criticizing anyone's techniques...but I wouldn't do it all. Saddlebag or under-seat for me, even though it would be impossible to draw in a hurry if needed. I'd re-holster when I stopped.

 

[wrs840]

Well, I don't have a street bike, but I do have a Honda 150 CRF150F for putting around on the farm. Anybody got any good suggestions for a lever-rifle scabbard to attach to it?

Les

 

[chaim]

Looks like a mix of opinions on whether it would be OK to carry on person or not. Still, while on the bike I think some off body carry (windshield bag or tank bag) would be easier to access than most on body carry.

I think I've ruled out a fanny pack. I don't like them, they wouldn't be much easier to access than most holsters under the gear, and any additional injury risk from carrying a gun would probably be just as strong with a fanny pack as a traditional holster.

I'm still considering crossdraw (and switching from IWB to crossdraw when not riding to keep my carry style consistent). However, I am concerned about how it would work with my size, and with the points some of you made about the possibility of the gun going flying in a wreck (maybe even a minor wreck) I'm not so sure. I already figured if I go with a standard holster I'd need new holsters- I was thinking I'd want something that was more solidly secured to my belt than the clip-ons I already have. Also, I was thinking a retention holster so the gun was less likely to go flying, but that would make accessibility even slower.

So, I'm thinking my most likely possibilities are a pocket holster in a zip up pocket of my riding jacket, or off body carry in a tank bag or windshield bag. Either the tank bag or windshield bag would be pretty quick to get to, the tank bag would be bigger and hold a larger gun (and potentially carry other things as well) but the windshield bag would be more in keeping with the cruiser style (and I currently own several guns that should fit, and I can always add the Kahr or other smaller .40 or 9mm). When getting off the bike the pocket holster would be easier of course, but there are models of windshield and tank bags that could be easily removed and carried (until I got to a bathroom and could holster it).

Salty, that is one fine looking Softtail. The Heritage Softtail is in my top 6 or so when I'm ready to move up in a couple years (the Fat Boy and Cross Bones are high on the list, I think the Dyna series HD's are great deals, similar in price to the comparable larger displacement Japanese bikes, and would love a Fat Bob or Street Bob, the last is a Victory, though it is some years away and I will will look at a large displacement Japanese cruiser or two before deciding).

 

[Mightee1]

I have recently purchased both my first handgun and my first Harley. This thread has been handy finding out what will work and what wont when I get my CCW permit. Personally, I like the idea of having some sort of pocket stitched into the inside of my leather coat that could accommodate an IWB holster.

I am under the belief that if you need to get to your sidearm while riding, you are in a really really really bad situation. I would think that it would be nearly impossible to brandish it safely while moving (or even stopped at a stoplight for that matter). I carry a folding knife clipped in the corner of my pocket in case a situation like the one Drail mentioned in post #3 (paraphrase: three guys jumped him while stopped at a light). It might fend off an attach of that sort long enough to get your jacket unzipped and get your gun out.

Another thing to think about for all you motorcycle riders who carry is how tough it is to work your holster and gun with full riding gear and gloves on. Some of those thicker leather gloves can really make things more difficult.

 

[jbphoto357]

I'm not sure I can add much to the thread. Pretty much every option has been covered. However my $0.02 follows.

I have over 50 years of road riding experience and up until recently I didn't carry. I pretty much always had a little "something" in the house for protection but the states I lived in, California for the first 52 years of my life and then Maryland for another 6, as you all know don't allow concealed carry. I then moved to West Virginia where everything is different, and I do mean different in a good way. That said, as a seasoned citizen I feel I'm much more vulnerable these days and don't plan on being a victim.

when riding I always wear either a leather vest or a leather jacket. Both have inside pockets that fit a pocket holster quite well. I mostly carry a Kel-Tek PF-9 because of it's size and the cost and availability of 9mm ammunition. I find it just about perfect for my needs without dropping down the "power curve" too far. When I'm not riding a Crossbreed Minituck works great. I also have the Supertuck for my Ruger 357.

So, there you go. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Keep the rubber side down and stay safe.

Jerry

 

[xcgates]

I haven't quite figured out what I'll do when I get to TX and get a concealed carry permit, but I've mostly thought about a shoulder rig, or keeping in a pocket. Either jacket or pants. I normally keep my pants on if I'm just out and about, and only remove them if I'm going to be in one area for a while. (Riding pants, you pervs! ) I'd think about carrying on the front of my waist, as I normally tuck any shirt I'm wearing into my pants, and that would cover up the gun pretty darned well.

One thing to keep in mind is you don't necessarily need it as available as you might at other times. When riding, I've found my best ticket out of an odd situation is heavy gassing, or hard braking. Remember you are relatively skinny, and can fit places cars can't normally go.

 

[NMGonzo]

Front breast pocket; many brands of motorcycle gear has them.

BMW pants has the best armor and also the City Pants have a vertical pocket on the left leg that is perfect for a snubby or a subcompact.

 

[WVleo]

CCW while riding motorcycle

Hi, Have always carried while riding ( thats why I never ride Md ) . Started out with a Colt DS front pocket carry, replaced that with a Kahr PM9 IWB in a Comp-Tac . Honda CRV left turned into Me while going 60MPH on My VTX 1300 and the Colt stayed in My pocket as I rag dolled down the road coming to a stop under a F-150 . Colt did bruise my thigh alittle but that was no way near the worse of the injuries. I replaced the totaled VTX with a H-D 1200C and the Colt with the PM9 for lighter carry . In Maryland I would not even transport a pistol while riding, there gun laws suck ! ....WVleo

 

[Voimakas]

WVleo, should show pictures of the X. Fellow X-rider here (with a VTX1800C.)

Forgot to mention, I also open carry my 1911 depending on where I'm going. Right side OWB with retention of course.

 

[WVleo]

Here it is a week before the wreck .....WVleo

 

[phonesysphonesys]

Chaim,
For the present time being, my advice is take a good motorcycle class and concentrate on your riding skills and forget carrying for a while until you get proficient and comfortable with riding in the various riding conditions. I have ridden in rain, hurricanes and snow. Road conditions are constatly changing. You will need to focus on keeping that bike up and away from idiots. After a season or two you will have some good ideas about carring on a bike. I carry like my every day method. Right hip 3:30 and I don't worry about falling on it. Like they have said if you go down the gun is the least of you worries. Been down and done that.
Be safe and keep the rubber down.
semper Fi

 

[exabrial]

Chaim,
For the present time being, my advice is take a good motorcycle class and concentrate on your riding skills and forget carrying for a while until you get proficient and comfortable with riding in the various riding conditions. I have ridden in rain, hurricanes and snow. Road conditions are constatly changing. You will need to focus on keeping that bike up and away from idiots. After a season or two you will have some good ideas about carring on a bike. I carry like my every day method. Right hip 3:30 and I don't worry about falling on it. Like they have said if you go down the gun is the least of you worries. Been down and done that.
Be safe and keep the rubber down.
semper Fi

I agree. You are far more likely to be injured in a motorcycle wreck. Practice slow speed turns in an empty parking lot until you car turn with the handlebar all the way agains the stop (in both directions).

Also work on counter-steering for quick dodges. Last year I managed to dodge a car that turned in front of me with a good hard swerve behind them. My jacket brushed against the rear of the SUV.

 

[warnerwh]

The motorcycle safety course is an excellent class. Everyone that takes it finds it enjoyable. It could save your life.

 

[Voimakas]

Don't forget Ride Like a Pro. It sounds like porn, but it's an excellent motorcycle riding video that definitely improved how I handle my motorcycle.

It's a fantastic video.

And for WVLeo:

 

[NWCP]

In order to carry concealed in a neighboring state you had better check into their laws regarding non residents obtaining CPLs before hand. I live in a CPL shall issue state, which is just about all Washing State has done right in the past 25 years. I have been on motorcycles for 42 years. When it is legal for me to carry both of my jackets have an inner pocket made for a subcompact. My Kahr PM9 fits nicely in both. When in a state that doesn't permit concealed carry, but does allow for transport of a firearm in a vehicle my pistol is configured according to the state requirements and resides in my trunk which is locked when on the road. Bouncing between states and abiding by their myriad of gun laws can be a bit tricky. Be sure to do your homework before taking off with a loaded pistol. Better safe than sorry and busted to boot.

 

[CraigC]

Usually a pancake for me, with a compact Kimber 1911 riding inside. A shoulder rig like El Paso's Spyder also works well and even conceals under a vest.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Before the combination of bad joints and the "conversation" with the 3rd car to hit me in as many years, I was a hardcore all season (snow/ice/storm included) rider a decade ago.

(hardcore = I sold my '75 jeep Cherokee Chief in the youthful rush without remembering seasons change like an idiot... miss that car more than the bike now)

Depending on legality, the frames of many bikes offer a few good niches other than saddlebags.

First, Speed kills, but it also gets you the hell away from trouble. Distance and the police are your best friends. At the time, I had not yet gone for my CCW, so a firearm was out of the question.

I found an Asp tucked into the frame was a far more useful tool, as was a can of Bear mace. on my long rides, coupled with my tendency to just nap leaning against the bike in rest areas. I had more trouble with random wildlife than Humans.

Having a mastiff charge you while sandwiched is the best example. The mace ended things instantly, a gun would have stopped the dog, but drawing a gun with thick kevlar gloves would have risked the several desperate Dog owners chasing the animal from behind. (Escalation, whee!)

For CCW now, a weapon cradled somewhere you would want it to be if you were skimming along the pavement at 45 , hoping your leathers are thick enough to last till you stop. Center of chest, or good shoulder rig if you can keep yourself off your side. a tiny pocket gun might even fit in some sleeve pockets as well depending on your protective gear.

Waist carry is a bad idea without a full length oilskin, or an upright position bike. even still, it's best to not have it where a flapping coat draws the eye, and time of a state trooper.

it was a 1980 Honda CB900C with the 5 +1 transmission as long as the topic is motorcycles. Cheap for me, large enough that I wouldn't look like a trained bear on it.

With my bad arm making 2 wheels hard, been looking at these now, runs on a Harley motor... have it done in aircraft aluminum and put a WWII bomber-esque girl on it. (drool)

http://www.cycle-car.com/



http://www.cycle-car.com/

 

[hddeluxe]

Go to www.phoenixbikers.com/lockingcycleholster and check out the locking cycle holsters for a solution to your problem. I have one and it is great. The company offers many mounting options for different bikes. Mine is mounted on my HD Deluxe and my wife's is mounted on her HD Sporster.