So I bought the bike, and now I'm trying to figure out the best way to carry while riding. I typically carry IWB at 4:00. I'm finding that when riding, the wind whips my shirt around and this method basically becomes open carry. Not illegal, but not ideal.

I've never warmed up to AIWB, and I'm thinking it would probably press up against the tank anyway, which doesn't sound very comfortable.

Ankle carry could be a thing, but it would be really hard to get to while on the bike, possibly bang into the bike a lot while you're shifting, and if for some reason it comes loose or tries to fall off, that's gonna be a bad day.

I've tried pocket carry with the J-Frame on a couple of rides, and that seems to work pretty well, but the gun itself it pretty limiting.

Those of you who ride, what have you found works best?

I last rode in 1986, but -

I don't think much of on-body carry for riding. You always want to dress for the crash, and you don't want a hard object for your body to land on. I suggest a tank bag. If, however unlikely, you need to shoot while mounted, the gun is still accessible, as it is right there. And they are very handy for storage in general. When dismounted you'll need to take the gun out and transfer it to the holster of your choice, so exercise discretion.

Another idea is a fanny pack. It would give a little bit of padding between your gun and body. Wear it behind your back (but not directly over your spine) when riding, move it to the front when you dismount. Then there would be no need to ever take the gun out; nobody will give it even a second look.

Shoulder rig is the most logical for riding.

-It's secure.
-It's readily accessible.
-If you go down, you are less likely to have it smashed against you as on you hip, back, or have your self "folded in half" with it in the the fulcrum.

If you do manage to impact in a manner that the pistol would cause injury, that injury is going to be minor compared the the other's you win.

When I was riding before, IWB same as regular EDC.

Do like the idea of a shoulder holster, depends on your gear I suppose. My jacket would accommodate one just fine, but some sportier options would likely be a bit snug.

I wear a reflective Surveyors Vest. I pocket carry an FN Reflex in a Kydex holster in the right front pocket. The vest goes over my airbag vest so no issues (hopefully) of my getting hurt by landing on the pistol during a crash.

Thanks guys, some good ideas here. I got a vented jacket, so a shoulder holster could work.

I have several motorcycle riding jackets, heavy black leather for the Harley and synthetic/kevlar for the Yamaha sport bike.
The chances of using a handgun effectively while actually riding? If you are right handed and steering/grasping the throttle, how are you going to shoot a handgun right handed?
Motorcycle "carry" is more about having a handgun available when stationary or off/near the motorcycle.

I pocket carry my HK P2000sk DA/SA 9mm inserted in a Mitch Rosen IWB "clipper" holster in the outside right side coat pocket. Occasionally on a long trip I will also pack my Seecamp in my luggage.
That would be for after arriving at a destination and wanting something in a smaller form factor than the HK P2000sk.

My opinion? Shoulder holster would be bad, you would not be able to take your coat off in public without advertising that you were armed.
I've taken off my riding jackets with the HK in the pocket and set the jacket on a restaurant booth seat and found it still reasonably accessable.

I've done both OWB, IWB, never lost a gun riding, always OWB with a cover shirt or jacket.

But with the heat here I've gone back to pocket carry of my Ruger LCP Max 380.

If I need it then it's likely I'm stopped in a confrontation, and hopefully quick enough to get to it. If OWB then of course a retention holster is best.

There are some companies that make motorcycle clothes, vests and jackets that have built in pockets that are right inside the opening for carry.

Check out Z1R, they make some jackets that have that pocket and it's pretty nice stuff. Member Calif Phil Link owns a motorcycle shop, if you need anything, jackets, helmets, tires, check with him including Z1R stuff.

https://www.z1r.com/category/15329

Sucks it's never warm enough here to wear the Heavy Z1R jacket I have..

Tuckable IWB or pants pocket carry same as when off the bike.

Off body carry in fanny packs, tank bags, jacket pockets, etc., is insecure.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RichardC,

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
Tuckable IWB or pants pocket carry same as when off the bike.

Off body carry in fanny packs, tank bags, jacket pockets, etc., is insecure.

I agree...I don't like the idea of putting a gun somewhere that it's going to be out of my control. If I did stick it in a tank bag, that would mean transferring it to my person every time I got off the bike, and that could obviously present some challenges.

I got the jacket all set up yesterday and tried it out. With the straps it actually hugs the body pretty tight with no flapping, so IWB may not be a problem after all.

You really should consider a method that secures the gun on your person while riding or off the motorcycle. The last thing you want to happen is to be off your bike or pulled/ejected from it and lose access to the firearm.

There are several brands of riding jackets on the market that include a built-in holster pocket. That's one option. Another would be a regular pocket holster carried in your jacket like you would use with any other clothing.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
So I bought the bike, and now I'm trying to figure out the best way to carry while riding. I typically carry IWB at 4:00. I'm finding that when riding, the wind whips my shirt around and this method basically becomes open carry. Not illegal, but not ideal.

I've never warmed up to AIWB, and I'm thinking it would probably press up against the tank anyway, which doesn't sound very comfortable.

Ankle carry could be a thing, but it would be really hard to get to while on the bike, possibly bang into the bike a lot while you're shifting, and if for some reason it comes loose or tries to fall off, that's gonna be a bad day.

I've tried pocket carry with the J-Frame on a couple of rides, and that seems to work pretty well, but the gun itself it pretty limiting.

Those of you who ride, what have you found works best?

I’ve been riding and carrying since the mid 90’s. What works best for me is either front jeans pocket, front chest pocket of my vest/jacket or shoulder carry. To be honest, I only shoulder carry on the bike on long rides. If I’m going around town, a J frame or a Glock 43 work best for me in a pocket holster. If I am shoulder carrying, I can pull off something bigger, like a Glock 43X or a 30.

If it’s really hot out and I’m only wearing a tee shirt I go with a tuckable IWB, either a single clip appendix, or the dual clip style at 4:00. Ankle carry also but your right, it does tend to bang against the parts of the bike.

If I have a leather on I’ll either stash a J frame in the jackets zip pocket or go with IWB with a tee shirt untucked as a second cover garment.

HRK, thank you for the info about Calif Phil, I wasn’t aware of his owning a shop.

If the bike goes down- a gun on your body will do more harm. Unfortunately , automobile drivers could care less about the motorcycle. Situational awareness is important--YOU have to watch for the other guy.

I usually keep it in my tank bag. When I park and walk, it goes IWB. Once in a great while I'll OC with a Blackhawk Serpa retention holster. But I only do that when I know I won't be getting off and walking anywhere and will be on the bike the whole time.

I pocket carry a Ruger LCP in a Nemesis holster.

Depending on what riding pants I wear, some fit fine in the front pocket, with leather pants, there is basically no pocket room, so it goes in the jacket pocket.

I ride VERY frequently.
I almost always carry my p365 fuse at 4 oclock IWB in a crossbreed holster.
If it's cold enough to warrant a jacket - the jacket will keep the shirt down and keep the gun hidden.
If it's not, I generally wear large enough shirts where I can just barely sit on the tail of the shirt to keep it from flying up.
The few times I'm not carrying in that fashion, it's OWB with a p320 in a safariland holster.

I've gone down once while carrying each method.

The first time was with a p320.
Some jackass in the other lane decided he needed to be in mine and just shoved me over.
I fell off the bike and just started rolling.
The holster was completely (cosmetically) wrecked.
The gun itself was pretty much perfectly fine.
My leg/hip where I was carrying was also perfectly fine.
(had some nasty road rash on my arms/knees however)

The second time was with my p365.
I was coming around a tight mountain turn and hit a nasty pothole which caused me to lose control of the bike.
Both me and the bike ended up in the ditch on the inside of the curve (lucky for me it wasnt down the mountain instead).
I had zero injuries resulting from the gun - the gun also had zero injuries.
I ended up with my left leg broken in 3 places and the bike was totaled.

So IMO, don't be scared of the gun hurting you in a wreck.