Question for EMT's or Doctors/Nurses

I'm not sure how much I would strive for access while on the bike. All zippers should be zipped and all pockets fastened while riding (to keep protective gear and posessions firmly in place). Riding gloves may complicate getting a correct grip on your weapon, and protective clothing will be more difficult to clear than your typical cover garments. If your gun is easily accessible while riding, it's probably gonna go flying if you go down. If you're worried about security at stopsigns, etc as mentioned above (dog attack), maybe a can of OC fastened to your riding jacket or bike would be a good alternative.

But hey, at least you'll probably have ear and eye protection in place!

I would advise against ankle carry on a motorcycle. First, the boots you should be wearing might interfere with the rig in the first place. Second, you have poor access on or off the bike. Third, lower leg is one of the most likely places to be injured anyway.

IWB or OWB would probably be problematic. In a lowside accident, the rider will probably slide along on his/her hip for a time, so 3-4 and 8-9 o'clock are probably out. 10-2 o'clock are probably out just due to comfort reasons, but probably wouldn't be a good choice given a head-on collision (left turning cage, etc.) If you carry at 4-7 o'clock, have a good bud follow you at highway speed to make sure your jacket is still covering your weapon - some ride up, especially when billowed at speed.

Front or rear pants pocket carry is probably out for comfort reasons. A cargo-style pocket would be an option, but if you take a slide on your side/hip this pocket could be trashed (gun comes out). That said, I'm looking toward a pocket holster so that I can carry the P9 in a side cargo pocket - but then, I ride wearing protective gear over my casual pants.

A shoulder holster seems to be a good option to me. You should be riding with a jacket, although it would be nice to be able to remove said jacket once you get where you're going. Perhaps a shoulder rig under an overshirt? Won't interfere with your riding position, regardless of what type of mount you choose. The weapon is protected under your riding jacket in case of a getoff. I don't believe I've seen many axillary impacts in moto accidents - lots of legs, ankles, hips, elbows, shoulders, backs, chest and head but rarely rash under the arm or to the lateral ribs.

Any moto officers here? Maybe they could shed some light.

What You Wear Isn't Always About Fashion!

firefighter4884 said:

I'm not sure that in an impact with speeds much above 20 mph, any part of your body is going to do well at taking the impact of the road, let alone with the gun holstered on your side.

Personally, I'd recommend having it mounted somewhere to the bike, or in the saddle bags. I understand that it's not the most attactive option, and most of us are not in favor of off body carry, but it's what's going to hurt the least if you do get in a wreck.

On the other hand, if you're going fast enough, the impact with the ground is going to do all the damage imaginable. I don't think having the gun will matter at that point (it's not going to hurt you any worse the the black top hitting you at 30 or 40 or 80 mph).

Just my humble opinion, gathered from picking up a few too many bikers who've dropped their bikes. A doctor might be able to describe it better to you, or pick out a particular spot.

--Jim

**Just an EMT who has to go to work in the snow all night tonight.

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I'll go along with those observations speaking as one who has ridden motorcycles cross country for quite a few years (in my wild youth and hopefully in my sedentary future). I would be inclines to go with shoulder carry or keeping the piece in a saddle bag or perhaps in a cubby hole on a cruising bike like a GoldWing.

But aside from head trauma getting hurt on a motorcycle is often a function of what you wear. There is a serious reason that bikers wear leather and it's not societal. When you dump a bike at speed and you wear anything BUT leather, everyplace the asphalt comes into contact with your body the pavement shreds the cloth and the result is what is fondly referred to as Road Rash. IOW the flesh takes on all the characteristics of raw hamburger. But when wearing leather, the tendency is to slide along the road and the biggest risk therefore is the impact trauma and bumps along the way.

One of the hottest new safety items that is currently replacing leather is called Road Armor. This can range from Kevlar materials to a special jacket made of stretchable spandex and attached to a CO2 cartridge which is then attached to the bike by means of a special ripcord. If the bike dumps, the ripcord is pulled and the suit becomes an instant rendition of the Michellin Tire Man. There is no harm to the rider unless he gets struck by another vehicle. And of course...you'd only forget to disengage the rip cord ONCE! I would think that if one was carrying a firearm inside such protection there would be the same cushioning effect for the weapon as the body.