A New Fad for Harley Riders?

[Steve K (IA)]

Not picking on the Harley boys, but have been noticing recently them riding around with what appears to be a braided rope, thong (whatever you want to call it) hanging from the right hand grip and it is just a few inches off the ground.  Looks like it might be on the heavy side. 
Anyone else see this and know what it's all about?

[Chrisj CMA]

Its not new.  Its a weapon, and I wouldn't give anyone sporting one a hard time.  The kind that use them wouldn't take kindly to any ribbing about it. 

I think they are dumb, unsafe and should be against the law.  Well, they probably are against the law, just no cop is going to enforce that one unless he really has to.

[BF]

I know one Harley rider with one. 

I asked him about it and he said it's a weapon.....or a windshield whacker. 

I wouldn't want one coming towards me. 

[Gavin_Sons]

I call those Harley fag tags. I give them all a hard time. It's one thing to look like a bad ass but another to actually be one.

[cookiedough]

I rode with a guy alongside who had one and asked wondering what it was for.  He said for protection for he was from suburbs of Chicago and actually had to use it once in bad part of the neighborhood.

I don't have a problem with it as long as they don't show me personally how it works.  He seemed like a nice guy to me. 

Is another form of protection besides carrying a gun or knife I guess.  Sort of was waiting for it to scrape the ground and come up and wack his bike, but it never did had it set just the right length off his right throttle or brake lever (one of the 2) just flowing smoothly mere inches from the pavement. 

[Steve K (IA)]

OK.  I thought that it may be some sort of weapon.  But hanging like that from the handlebar looks like a tragic accident waiting to happen.   

[eric in md]

its called a get back whip,     my story i love passing them and hope it would swing/blows  forward and smack themselfs with it .

[Jess from VA]

Not much different from open carry..... and less lethal.

An armed society is a polite society.

Wait for the one in a million high wind, errant driving scenario when it gets wrapped around someone's side view mirror.  I don't even like dangling shoelaces or braided levers or coat fringe.   

[Steve K (IA)]

Not much different from open carry..... and less lethal.

An armed society is a polite society.

Wait for the one in a million high wind, errant driving scenario when it gets wrapped around someone's side view mirror.  I don't even like dangling shoelaces or braided levers or coat fringe.   

I thought about that, getting caught on something if they swing it.  Might lose an arm or their "fag tag".

Does the harley shop sell these or does the rider make their own?  I have 1 brother, 2 sisters and their husbands all ride HD.  I'm startin' to get a few ideas.   

[eric in md]

seen them in jp cycles last week

[Steve K (IA)]

seen them in jp cycles last week

Hmmm, I live 32 miles down the road from J&P.   

[J.Mencalice]

Hang low enough to get caught in a cattle guard?

That would be like a Max Sennett (think Keystone Cops) short if one of those puppies gets hung up. 

Zipppppp!
New episode: "World's Dumbest..."

[98valk]

whip video and new face mask, although the rider is on a yami

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454662&page=2624

[J.Mencalice]

whip video and new face mask, although the rider is on a yami

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454662&page=2624

Used to make those things during summer camp at the public playground during "arts and crafts" time.
Used to call the plastic strings "gymp" and weave them in a diamond pattern...then go chase and whip the next available kid around the neck and back!  Ahhh, the days past of an 8 year old renegade in the big city.
Some things never change. They just evolve into bigger weapons; wielded by bigger children.

[R J]

seen them in jp cycles last week

Hmmm, I live 32 miles down the road from J&P.   

You don't live in Altoona anymore?

[Serk]

Reading about 'em here:

http://www.ironbraid.com/Get-Back-Whips.html

With a quick downward pull, the whip can be released quickly in case of an "emergency."

So it would seem getting the whip caught in a cattle guard or something else would just detach it very rapidly (While pulling your clutch or front brake handle for you.)

Not my cup of tea but whatever I guess...

[art]

While living in Prescott,Az. during a gathering at a Harley dealership grand opening several years ago I seen plenty of riders with guns but the best was one carrying two western style six shooters on his hips. Nobody in his right mind would mess with him,not in Az.

[Steve K (IA)]

I found them on J&P's site.  They call them "WhoopAZ Getback Whip".  $50.     Too much for a gag to pull on the HD riders in my family. 
I wouldn't hang one of those off my clutch or brake lever.

[fudgie]

I've seen them on all brands of bikes. They sell big at rally time.

[..]

So ya hang it on the right side where the 2 most important controls of the bike are.

Throttle and front brake.

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

So ya hang it on the right side where the 2 most important controls of the bike are.

Throttle and front brake.

 

I was wondering how you would even use it on the right side. Wouldn't you have to let go of the throttle ?

[Davemn]

Never take a whip to a gun fight.

[DK]

I've been told that possession of one is illegal in some states.

Dan

[cookiedough]

So ya hang it on the right side where the 2 most important controls of the bike are.

Throttle and front brake.

 

I was wondering how you would even use it on the right side. Wouldn't you have to let go of the throttle ?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think they are attached to front brake lever clipped on.  The one guy riding side by side me on his HD for miles had no issues was always looking over to see if it would get caught somewhere, but it is heavy enough and not flairing around wildly, just 3-4" from the ground but always wondered about hard right hand turns with the right handlebar lower to the ground during the right hand corner. 

[Raider]

Part of the appeal is for club riders to show off their colors.  I've asked a few guys what they're for and have been told (as others indicated) that it's to smack a car that is getting too close.

I actually laughed at them both times I've heard it.  Can you imagine the stupidity of hitting a car with a whip?  Now you've only got one hand on the bike and a two ton cage right next to you has a scared, angry driver. 

Seems like Darwin will sort this out.

[Valkjerk]

Davemn, zackly wut u said, Bro. I was thinkin' to myself as I read this thread, "Whip that out on me and I got sumthin fer ya".

[Grumpy]

I had a conversation with a couple of Hells Angels a couple years ago coming home from Daytona bike week . I had stopped in a rest area and they parked beside me. I saw those hanging from Handle bars and asked about them, he unsnapped one and handed it to me, the dammed thing had steel bearings braided into the end, 3 foot long braided sap. That would knock you ass out in a heart beat. As he said good attitude adjuster. Glad he was a cool guy, would not want to be on the receiving end of it.

[fudgie]

I actually laughed at them both times I've heard it.  Can you imagine the stupidity of hitting a car with a whip?  Now you've only got one hand on the bike and a two ton cage right next to you has a scared, angry driver. 

Seems like Darwin will sort this out.

My HD bud welded a bracket to his bag guards and it held a ball peen hammer in it for when cagers came to close. Hes knocked a few mirrors off with it. Ive watched him swing it a few times at cars.

[texaninsouthfl]

Most of the VRCC members are pretty good guys but some on here are as arrogant and snotty as any Harley Snob. What's up with that?

Most of the get back whips I see in Florida are not long enough to catch on anything. I have one that I bought from disabled veteran at an event.  it is adjustable and hangs from the base of my left mirror and is adjusted to about 20 to 24 inches long. It has about a half pound of lead weight in the end of it so it does not swing around much in the wind. I've only had one occasion to take it in hand and that was when a douchebag swerved into my lane and nearly hit me. I of course blasted him with my Stebel and demonstrated my knowledge of international sign language. When we both stopped at the next stop light,  the passenger in the car got out and decided he would come teach me a lesson and stated that he was going to kick my dirty biker ass. I put the kickstand down and snapped the whip off the mirror swung it around a couple of times and said "Really? " I told him it would be a good idea for him to get his ass back in his car before I laid this half pound piece of lead upside his head.   He took a look at the whip with the obvious weight in the end of it and with a "f**k you ass hole, "  got back in the car. I'm certain the deterrent was the whip...  And not the maniacal look on my face. 

When asked what it is,  the best answer is "motorcycle jewelry."

[Bonzo]

As stated they are whips, I know that in some states metal enhanced whips are illegal. I do believe they are against animal cruelty laws. My personal goal is to ride and smile. Having said that you really do not want to see me mad and surprise is the best weapon.
 

[G-Man]

Used to make those things during summer camp at the public playground during "arts and crafts" time.
Used to call the plastic strings "gymp" and weave them in a diamond pattern..

We called it "lanyard".  Just now looking up the spelling, I see it has become synonymous with almost any "keychain" type thingy with a loop of any material the ring hangs from.

[R J]

These items make a very nice windshield modifier.

Also will and can put a nice big lump on the side of your head.

If an LEO wants to get nasty, he can charge you with an unlicensed weapon.     I know, it is stretcing the definition, but if the DA wants to go along with you, they will press charges for ya, & they can make them stick..

[Gavin_Sons]

i have never felt like i needed to hit a car with a whip. have wanted to chase a few down and scream at them. I  have air horns and they get the attention of drivers probably more easily than a whip.

[MacDragon]

I don't quite understand the concept unless you're off the bike.  In other words... because we happen to be pissed at a cager for whatever they may have done intentionally or not..., let's just smash his mirror or windshield and piss him off in a 4000 lb car while riding a bike.  Makes sense??? Not really. It's a definite losing battle.

[BF]

I saw one of those things just yesterday on the way home from work.  It was on a blacked out VTX1800R.  He had it on the clutch handle.

That thing was whipping around all over the place.....but mostly just hitting the rider in the arm and shoulder. 

I guess he was cool though.