2 options...
Kimio said:
"My bike is a crotch rocket so it typically has a pretty aggressive riding position which has my handgun printing pretty badly against my shirt or coat.
I've considered getting a shoulder holster for such occasions but it doesn't lend itself well for when I'm wearing my riders gear and there are times that it would likely be very visible if I were to be riding with an open jacket.
I'm also finding my CZ75 Compact doesn't seem to be as well suited for this task with the way I'm currently carrying it (at an appendix inside the waistband carry currently)
I'd really rather avoid doing open carry if at all possible, since I don't like the idea of others knowing that I'm packing."
I'm a rider who has been riding with a CCW for more than a decade. During that time I've tried nearly every option available. I've also dropped the bike while carrying, which sort of cleared up a few issues that had been "abstract" up until the time I met Mr. Asphalt.
In my opinion, you basically have two categories:
1. Inside jacket/vest pocket(s). This limits you to handguns the size of S&W J-frames (which are excellent options). Pistols this size include Kahr PM9 and PM40. They'll generally fit in either the inside pocket or outer pockets of both leather jackets and nylon jackets such as Joe Rocket.
2. All other options. Lots of guys carry lots of different ways, but nearly all of them have drawbacks of
either function, (lack of) concealment, or the potential for (gun-related) injury if you go down on the bike.
Some of the more common include:
- OWB shows beneath many motorcycle jackets and vests, which are generally shorter at the waistline;
- IWB conceals better. The handgun is often at your hip, however. Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training notes that hips generally do a lot of sliding when riders go down. [Another note is that while touring, if you drop trou to use a public toilet your pistol is either on the floor at your feet, potentially accessible beneath a partition, or else in your hand. Neither situation is ideal];
- Shoulder holsters often conceal better, but unless they're strapped to you they can shift fore and aft, particularly if your jacket is unzipped and/or if you're leaning forward while riding a crotch-rocket;
- Some riders find "tanker-style" holsters offer the best compromise, although riders who use them generally ride with their jackets zipped up;
- For near-total concealment, most riders admit that in-pocket carry conceals best, but it limits the size of the handgun you can carry concealed.
There are no excellent compromises - you give up
something in nearly all cases. It really comes down to how and where you're riding, and with whom; and what works best for you is something you discover.
Among those who carry larger handguns than will fit in a pocket, something like Ted Blocker's 'Huckleberry' rig might meet most of their needs:
http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/Cowboy-Shoulder-Rig-2_p_94.html
The same idea in El Paso's 'military' rig looks similar (click on
'view larger image'):
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-96-14-1942-tanker-holster-5-12-to-8-38-barrels.aspx
Finally, this topic is pretty routinely explored on TFL. If you hit Search and enter key words like "CCW" and "motorcycle" you'll find quite a few threads over the years where many members have related their own experiences. Makes for interesting reading, if you're trying to find out what might work best for you.
