carrying on a motorcycle

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kotaNsid

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I ride a motorcycle a lot mainly a passenger. We don't have saddle bags on our motorcycles. Was wondering what would be the best way to carry. Sometimes we just do 30-45 min. rides and sometimes we do several hours. Any suggestions?
 
OWB might hurt less if you run a holster as opposed to carring Mexican. If you're the Harley type, surely you wear some sort of vest with many a pocket. Even sportbike jackets have zippered exterior pockets.
 
I ride a lot. I carry using a shoulder rig. But being a passenger would make carry even with a shoulder rig safer. You have both hands free. I also carry using a vest from Coranado Leather. Shoulder rigs from Galco and El Paso Saddlery.
 
Definetly a Harley rider. As hard to believe as it is I don't wear a vest. My jackets have pockets, but very small. I was thinking maybe shoulder holster. Thanks for the info.
 
My problem is when I stop somewhere for awhile. The jacket comes off so a larger gun is harder to conceal. Plus the jacket gets put away into the saddlebag so I find it simple to carry something like the Ruger LCP in a pocket holster in my jeans. An inside the waistband holster isn't always comfortable on the bike and I've been down on asphalt one time too many to want a chunk of metal pushing into my kidney.:(
 
Interesting thread. I would add that you double check the laws in your area. I live in SD and until a few years ago it was illegal to have a firearm on a motorcycle in any capacity. Even if unloaded and locked in a case. It is now legal to carry if you have a permit only. I think there may be a loophole here though as open carry is legal.

TO answer your specific question, if you are a passenger I say OWB or shoulder. If you are the driver you are better off to run them over because I have never met anyone that could shoot accurately and drive at the same time. But I would like to see it.
 
I road today carrying a Glock 36 in a Galco leather holster. open top no thumb break or special retention devices and it made it all the way back home with me. By the way the bike is 60 years old so you can't say the bike is the reason why it didn't fall out and get lost.
 
I ride just about daily to and from work... at 75 mile round trip... and also in my free time. I probably put on about 4,000 miles a month and most of the time I'm carrying.

Depending on what I'm carrying... I will sometimes use a galco miami classic shoulder holster... or my favorite is just serpa style paddle holster. I like the retention and security of the serpa as well as the ease of putting it on and off.

I have also used OWB holster with thumb break, but I prefer the serpa style. Sometimes I'll just throw it in my backpack instead of actually wearing it. Obviously it's not available at that point, but if you more concerned about wearing it once you arrive at your destination, than on the journey... that's another thought.
 
my buddy

Rides a crotch rocket and wears a new breed holster to carry his kimber ultra compact 1911. Or is it cross breed inside the waistband
 
I ride every day rain or shine and the best way I've found to carry is a keltec .380 in a desantis in my inside riding jacket pocket. I ride sport tourer and any other method on my body is uncomfortable and impossible to get to with gloves on etc.. I have on occasion if I know i'm not leaving the bike (long ride etc.) slipped my G19 in my tank bag but not really comfortable with that setup.
 
I used a concealment tee shirt, which is very comfortable...unless you crash and land on your pistol then, speaking from experience, it damages the pistol, breaks ribs, and lacerates your spleen. Not that I plan on crashing again but in the future will carry against part of my body where it cannot cause as much damage.
 
I’m from Illinois, so carry is not an option, but… When I ride my motorcycle, I carry nothing, not even a wallet. Every thing in my pockets gets placed into a small pack fastened to the rear fender. Even coins in my pocket come out. I can’t imagine what kind of damage you would do to your body when you crash and a pistol on your side gets impaled into your body. I also wear full protective gear. Helmet, leather gloves, padded ballistic nylon Enduro Jacket with spine protection, over the ankle leather boots, etc. Remember, when it comes to riding a motorcycle, it’s not if you are going to crash, it’s when you are going to crash.

People that ride and carry things like pistols, cell phones, etc have yet to crash. But when they do crash, and they will, they will wish they emptied their pockets before hand.
 
People that ride and carry things like pistols, cell phones, etc have yet to crash. But when they do crash, and they will, they will wish they emptied their pockets before hand.
Click to expand...

I think you're being a bit dramatic. I've been down twice in street traffic - and countless times on the race track/trails/dirt. The only time I don't have anything on me is at the race track - but that's because I'm in a track suit. Back in 1995 I hit TWO deer at the same time just north of Rockford on Hwy 173(I'm originally from IL). The other time was due to a car with no working brake lights. Crashing sucks, but it doesn't consume my every thought when riding...

Maybe it's because motorcycles are a part of who I am. I've been riding since I could ride a bicycle without training wheels. Grew up riding on my dad's Harley's, going to Sturgis and Daytona with him. I rode motocross until I was old enough to get my M license.

I love riding and I'm not afraid of falling. I carry my gun, my cell phone, a knife, keys, wallet, etc. I guess I don't understand what you think is going to happen? No physical items on my person ever damaged me in a crash. I had a busted up knee, a busted up ankle, busted up mouth and knuckles(first accident was wearing a skid lid and no gloves). I wear a full face helmet and armored jacket and gloves these days.
 
I carry a .380 Kahr in my back pants pocket. I often carry a Kahr P40 in a DeSantis crossdraw paddle holster with my vest covering it.

Bill
 
Carry IWB at 4 o'clock with a Broomland leather holster. Always have on some kind of jacket no matter what the weather dishes out. Also have a leather concealed carry vest. If you ride and dwell on the "what ifs" then it is time to hang it up. Riding a bike is all about situational awareness. Things do happen but there are plenty of good habits we practice to increase our chances and enjoy ourselves..............Joe
 
When I ride I always wear a jacket and helmet. No matter what the weather. Even in states that don't have a helmet law. Nobody wants to crash, but it does happen. If carrying is part of your life and riding a motorcycle is too then there are ways to carry. I am thinking a shoulder holster will work while riding. Thanks to everyone for their posts. I believe it ended up being about motorcycle sadfety than riding with a pistol. :)
 
Here in Wisconsin we have no provisions for vehicle carry. All firearms must be unloaded and encased for travel. :barf:
When I go on motorcycle trips I carry an unloaded and encased pistol in the tank bag. A loaded mag goes into the case right next to my pistol. As long as the chamber and magwell are empty, I am still within the law.

I did once stop into the LGS and make an unplanned purchase of a .308 rifle. That day it traveled home with me in a gun sock provided by the shop, with the barrel extended out past the gauges over the front of my bike, and the stock was tied to my tank bag with paracord and several bungees! :cool:

A cop even saw me traveling like this. He just looked, shook his head and smiled, and drove away. :D
 
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