self defense
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,499
Likes: 3,901
From: Virginia
Dan, I hear you! I own multiple firearms and have never felt the need to carry while riding in my 50 years of riding.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13,905
Likes: 10,886
From: San Diego, CA
IMHO... based on experiences and observations from a 31 year LEO career, no admin, all operator level.
If you should decide you need something for self defense, whatever you choose;
Conceal it, don't advertise it...
Be proficient in it's use...
Know the legal consequences of its use...
Don't reveal it, until you realize you need to use it...
All self defense situations are not static, they are constantly changing. Only respond when absolutely necessary.
In addition to all of the above, avoiding a confrontation is always the most effective self defense technique. There is no place for ego and/or machismo in a self defense situation.
Be safe....
If you should decide you need something for self defense, whatever you choose;
Conceal it, don't advertise it...
Be proficient in it's use...
Know the legal consequences of its use...
Don't reveal it, until you realize you need to use it...
All self defense situations are not static, they are constantly changing. Only respond when absolutely necessary.
In addition to all of the above, avoiding a confrontation is always the most effective self defense technique. There is no place for ego and/or machismo in a self defense situation.
Be safe....
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 27, 2026 at 12:43 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 291
Likes: 42
From: Boligee, AL
Any man should also always have a knife on him. I carry 3.
I just carry in a typical belt holster with Sig P365XL in back or side.
Pulled it out once in my life (I'm in my 50s). Dude pointed a BB gun at me while I was slowing down at a stop light. It looked real.
I sped away, went down the street, called 911 and pulled sig out and just put in pocket for easy access in case the bad guy pursued. (I probably should have rode away further but I wanted to call cops ASAP).
I called 911, told them I was armed (as I didn't want them to think I was the bad guy). Lot of cops came within 5 minutes.
Cop asked me if he could take my firearm and store it in cop car while we talk. I said sure.
They caught the guy, had me visually identify him, and he went to jail.
Cop gave me back my firearm and off I went home.
I wasn't about to go John Wick and try to shoot someone while riding (though I feared for my life and I was undoubtedly a self defense situation). Just pulled over eventually and let the professionals handle it (they were awesome).
Mental health issue for the dude. Or maybe he doesn't like loud pipes....
Pulled it out once in my life (I'm in my 50s). Dude pointed a BB gun at me while I was slowing down at a stop light. It looked real.
I sped away, went down the street, called 911 and pulled sig out and just put in pocket for easy access in case the bad guy pursued. (I probably should have rode away further but I wanted to call cops ASAP).
I called 911, told them I was armed (as I didn't want them to think I was the bad guy). Lot of cops came within 5 minutes.
Cop asked me if he could take my firearm and store it in cop car while we talk. I said sure.
They caught the guy, had me visually identify him, and he went to jail.
Cop gave me back my firearm and off I went home.
I wasn't about to go John Wick and try to shoot someone while riding (though I feared for my life and I was undoubtedly a self defense situation). Just pulled over eventually and let the professionals handle it (they were awesome).
Mental health issue for the dude. Or maybe he doesn't like loud pipes....
Last edited by wolverinehusky; Mar 27, 2026 at 02:09 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,078
Likes: 6,237
From: Honah Lee
Rode for 58 years. Carried nothing. Never carried in a cage except years ago for hunting and pistol shooting with the father in law in WV.
I didn't ride in dangerous places however. Last thing I personally would want to do is defend myself on a motorcycle. Did come home from work for years after 12AM.
No one ever bothered me.
I didn't ride in dangerous places however. Last thing I personally would want to do is defend myself on a motorcycle. Did come home from work for years after 12AM.
No one ever bothered me.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 27, 2026 at 03:51 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 8,197
From: Inland NW
