[Kahrma]

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.

 

[Kahrma]

Line it on the body side with two layers of heavy leather, or semi-flexible plastic. A piece of firm Kydex could be used, or several layers of white plastic milk carton contact cemented together.

Most motorcycle gear/clothing companies sell replacement armor for their jackets, usually consisiting of an energy absorbing foam. The piece that covers the spine, hip or shoulders should be a relatively flat piece - this might be perfect for this application. Just cut it to fit. Might not be a bad idea to buy a piece of this and cut it to fit your pocket (between body and gun) if using pocket carry.

On a rather grim note- I have not seen a motorcycle fatality that did not involve crushing head injury or castration. Or both. I wouldn't put anything in the lower abdominal area that could snag/impale you.

Agreed. If a head injury doesn't get you, multiple trauma is usually the next culprit. Injury or even castration sometimes comes during the groin's trip up the "gas tank" (some are merely airboxes these days) and over the instruments and bars. Low slung sportbike windshields are merciless here. Definitely wouldn't want to try IWB at 10-2. Smartcarry claims their product acts as a groin protector, but I don't think I'd want to try it! I have sat on a bike with one on - it's not very comfortable in a forward-leaning position.

But aside from head trauma getting hurt on a motorcycle is often a function of what you wear....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.

Leather is generally regarded as the best at resisting abrasion, although pretty much any riding-specific gear is built to take a slide better than street clothing. Your other mechanism of injury is impact - with parts of your bike, with whatever you hit, sliding into a curb, a tree, guard rails (often amputate arms/legs), barb wire fences, sign posts, culverts, drain pipes, etc. Hence the need for back protectors and all the padding/armor that makes us look like Power Rangers.

The more I think about it, seems like the best place for concealed carry on a bike would be a cargo pocket over the thigh (good muscle mass surrounding strong bone underneath) or a shoulder rig under the jacket (not likely to take a major hit here - if you do you're screwed anyway).

 

[Kahrma]

I realize more I think on it - the odds of trying to retrieve, fire and stay safe while on the move, is so remote that I dismiss it!

My thoughts exactly. If I'm carrying concealed on a motorcycle, it's more for "when I get where I'm going" than for protection en route. If you're drawing with your right hand, you lose your throttle and front brake. If you draw with your left hand, you lose your clutch (sure, find neutral as you try to pull your weapon!). Not to mention clearing often heavy riding gear.

I'd say your best defense on a bike would be to ride defensively - which we should be doing already. Seems to me that the techniques taught for avoiding accidents on the road are also generally tactically sound - always leave room in front during stops, always leave yourself an escape route, scan the road/roadside far ahead, be aware of your surroundings, etc.