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Why wear a vest if your not in a club

18K views 87 replies 49 participants last post by  Buzzy 
#1 ·
My wife keeps telling me I need a vest. Im like why do I need a vest if Im not in a club? I honestly don't see the point other then I would look super cool wearing one. Do you wear a vest even if your not in a club and why? Whats the point?
 
#5 ·
I dont wear one but I see plenty who do. Some do it for the cool factor, but in reality, they are designed to keep the core warm and protected, plus extra pockets to hide or store things for those that don't have on bike storage.

Lil Chief
 
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#6 ·
Hmmmm, if'n I was to guess....I'd guess that 95% of riders with vests on wear them cause they think it makes them look cool. Even I think the right guy with the right vest looks cool. Hell, if I looked cool with one I'd get one. Unfortunately in reality....I'd just look like a older fat white guy with a vest on wandering around the parking lot looking for my goldwing. :surprise:

I used to be cool......but that's a story for another time.
 
#9 ·
Because I am a cowboy. Just looked in my closet and have 9 with varying degrees of leather and shades from black to tan. 3 have conceal carry pockets. I also have an assortment of cowboy boots that I would never wear riding.

I don't wear a vest as riding gear but if I did it would be to keep the t-shirt from flapping around and irritating my skin nerves. I prefer to wear armored jackets when I ride.
 
#10 ·
I wear a black one of these: Kakadu Kelly vest. It securely holds a firearm on each side, plus room for magazines. Doesn't print... well the Desert Eagle is obvious. :wink: I also like a vest for the pockets. This one also has a zippered pocket inside for my wallet. Zips up and functions quite well.
 
#23 ·
Wharf Rat...your mention of a gun, your name and the stealie struck up the band in my head! :smile:

If I had a gun for every ace I have drawn,
I could arm a town the size of Abilene
Don't you push me baby,
'Cause I'm all alone and you know I'm only in it for the gold
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have dozens of vests. Some for small revolvers, some for small semi-auto pistols, some for 1911's, and some for double stack magazines.

Um...actually, I just have one, my HOG vest. We were leaving on a ride, and the GM asked me: "Where's your vest?" Me: "That's just for meetings."

I don't need the warmth during cold weather, because I have a fully lined, armored, hi-viz textile jacket, and heated liner. I don't wear a vest during the summer, because I have a fully armored, hi-viz, mesh jacket, and the vest would block the air flow. Even if I did own a set of those douchey chain thingies.

Yeah, no, I don't see the need for a vest.
 
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#16 ·
#24 ·
Well I got 2 leather vests and 1 blue denim vest and I don't wear any of them. I'm not big on leather but that's just the way I am, I understand that leather will protect my ass if I go down but at my age I'm just going to roll the dice and hope I don't' do a flop on the bike. By the way WHY conceal the gun, if you wear the gun out in the open where people can see it the chances are better that people won't fuck with you. :wink:
 
#26 ·
I don't wear a vest. Makes no sense to me either. Warmth? Not in the summer where a leather vest will roast your inner core. I have jackets for the other seasons. Guns? Not in the Socialist Republic of Maryland where they wouldn't even give Jesus a CCW. Besides, I can't recall a time where a gun was needed by me and based on my target shooting skills, I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn anyway.
 
#30 ·
Read several stories of CCW "out of staters" getting pulled over in Maryland for some trumped up reason just so the officer can determine if they were stupid enough to carry into Maryland.

I know several personality types that CCW.

Those that respect and are responsible with firearms. Skilled and would only pull it when a situation truly warrants it, and know exactly what it is for. They most likely are involved with law enforcement and/or are former military. The majority of people around this person have no clue they carry.

Those that feel brave because they carry. The firearm bolsters their ego and they allow themselves to go into neighborhoods or situations that a wise man would not venture into. They like to let people around them know they are carrying. They enjoy brandishing the weapon.

Those that are fearful to leave the home. They are paranoid and think everyone is a potential attacker. They probably took just enough training to get their CCW and rarely ever practice. They are more likely to brandish the weapon than actually fire it. They are also more likely to accidently shoot a family member.

Those that see it as another form of insurance. They might carry, they might pack it in the trunk, etc. They hope that they never need to use it, but would regret not having it if something were to happen that they could have stopped if they have it.

I'm sure there are many other reasons why people carry.

There are a lot of interesting articles on the psychological affect firearms have on the owners and on the attackers. Also many articles on the stopping power of different weapons. The best firearm for you would be something like a Taurus Judge that can fire a 410 shell as well as a .45 round. That way you get a spread and a lot of noise while they are still at a distance followed up with an accurate shot if they keep approaching.
 
#28 ·
I would like to point out that the leather vest was made for military despatch riders during WWI and WWII. The extra warmth and cover from the elements are obvious as were the extra pockets. The British called it a Jerkin waist coat. The gentleman on the photo (Canadian 3rd Inf Div.) is wearing one in France ca. 1944.
Although today the vest is de rigueur for certain motorcycle clubs, but feel free to wear one if you like!

 
#31 ·
In Louisiana it's totally legal to open carry. I do it all the time at work. I can honestly say that when I do i don't have as much bs to deal with as to when I don't. It's certainly not something I enjoy doing or does it give me a sense of power. I strictly do it for intimidation and it works.

Nordic B your sick!lol besides I'm a way better dancer then those guys.
 
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#37 ·
I bought a cheap leather vest with a cc pocket. I proudly stitched a patch of my home state of Wyoming (bucking horse on the back). I now live in Illinois, the state that makes new jersey look honest. I wanted somewhere to display the bucking horse. It also helps with the shirt flopping around and making my nipples sore. In all honesty I do feel kind of like a douche wearing it.
 
#38 ·
I find that it makes it so much easier not to print the 40 in the shoulder holster when riding with the vest on.

98% of the time no one knows I'm carring and thats exactly how I like it. Of course anyone who really knows me knows I'm carring 98% of the time.

I dont carry to be a bad ass or to stroke my ego or any of those reasons. I take owning and carring firearms seriously. I keep proficient with all my weapons and never treat them as toys.

Plus they are just fuckin cool and chicks dig guns man!!!!



Mike
 
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#44 ·
So, not to detail the fun bits of conversations going on about leather, banana hammocks, CCW rights, etc. all are probably good, but I have to pause for a serious question.

I have never been into the leather vest thing. I am not a club guy. Never been. Don't ever seeing it being for me. And have always felt the best is a club thing or a want to be club thing. I may totally be wrong on this.

However, if I can get past the image, and wanted a vest for summer riding, is there a vest on the market that would be comfortable for summer riding and offer some armor features like the back armor offered in a lot of protective riding jackets? What options do I have?

Am I best served by picking up a summer riding jacket?

Thanks in advance.
 
#54 ·
ICON makes an armored vest. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-field-armor-stryker-vest

I have a version of this suit for when I ride my dual sport in the summer. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/six-six-one-rage-pressure-suit Armor and open weave mesh.

I have a perforated leather vest by Xelement that lets the air through but offers abrasion protection. Use on the bike or the horse.

There are leather vests out there that have a pocket for a back protector. https://www.revzilla.com/search?query=vest+with+back+pad&commit=Search
 
#47 ·
Semi not-exactly-a-hijack, but I am looking for a denim vest. I need one for Run For The Wall. I don't want leather because it's going to be too warm in May down south.

I can find a million leather vests, but no new denim, unless I just buy a denim jacket and cut off the sleeves. Looking like that might be my best option. Anybody know of a source for new denim vests?

Tia...
 
#56 ·
https://www.leatherup.com/c/Denim-Motorcycle-Vests/2/170.html

Your Welcome. Sign up for email and they will send you a 10% off coupon code. Or go through the point of adding to your cart and creating a log in, then leave the site. They will send you an email with a discount code to get you to complete the transaction.
 
#49 ·
IdahoHacker-

Check out RevZilla for new denim vests. They have a decent selection that will give you some ideas. I am sure there are plenty of other vendors too. I have no financial connection to RevZilla, but being a Philadelphia boy and living just outside the city now, I have the distinct advantage of going to their storefront regularly. I can honestly say everything about the company is topnotch. The parking lot is constantly filled with bikes or all shapes and sizes from employees who ride year round (including cold and snow here in the NE). The people are knowledgeable and always pleasant to deal with.
 
#62 ·
#53 ·
Funny you would mention that. I've seen that before...but I thought it was a denim jacket with leather sleeves...think they had hoodies too. I remember seeing a couple that actually were really cool looking.
 
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