What is with the whips?

[Gunny4Sawx]

I just "relocated" back to SoCal and I keep seeing bikes with braided leather "whips" attached to the right brake lever mostly. A few on the clutch grip. What is the purpose of them? It seems a bit dangerous to me. If it gets caught snagged on something

[myzen]

here ya go.

http://www.chilhowee.net/whips.html

[Lakerat]

California Windshield Wiper

[Lefty]

Looks a little like the lanyards I remember braiding in Cub Scouts! For that old school biker look!

Lefty

[03GLIDE_]

I have found that it is TUFF GUYS that have them. More of a wanna be thing if you ask me. Dangerous as hell when on the front brake lever. I see alot of them and have to laugh.

[jdcustom]

First of all if you think it will get caught on something while your riding past it then I would worry about your legs first, cause thats what your gonna hit if your close enough to get the wip to touch another vehicle.

I run with a whip on my break lever, and it has been on my bikes for over 100,000 miles never got caught on anything.

And no it aint a tough guy thing (dumb logic, sounds like a RUB talking ).

it's there to make the cagers see ya better, and it does work as long as ya have one that has a light color or reflective strip in it.

Some say it's to smack cagers windshields but that's an urban legend; think about it your going 60-70 and ya have to disconnect the whip, grab the leather end and smack the cagers windshield, and keep your bike in control. I dont see that happining.

[niget2002]

Looks like an attempt at having leather Fringe on your bike without making it look to "feminine"

[PR3VS56]

If you've had one from way back when, fine. Otherwise I think they're silly. It's a sure way to id a poser.

[rickr01]

Originally Posted by jdcustom

First of all if you think it will get caught on something while your riding past it then I would worry about your legs first, cause thats what your gonna hit if your close enough to get the wip to touch another vehicle.

I run with a whip on my break lever, and it has been on my bikes for over 100,000 miles never got caught on anything.

And no it aint a tough guy thing (dumb logic, sounds like a RUB talking ).

it's there to make the cagers see ya better, and it does work as long as ya have one that has a light color or reflective strip in it.

Some say it's to smack cagers windshields but that's an urban legend; think about it your going 60-70 and ya have to disconnect the whip, grab the leather end and smack the cagers windshield, and keep your bike in control. I dont see that happining.

I think the comment about it catching on something was intended to mean the spokes or something on the bike it is attached to?

I've seen quite a few recently, a resurgence from when I was much younger and some of the whips trailed out past the back of the bike. I did not see many for years until recently. Like choppers and other things, "in for a while, then forgotten again until the next 10 years goes by " To each his or her own. I run little leather tails (very short ones) on my brake and clutch levers.

[03GLIDE_]

Originally Posted by jdcustom

First of all if you think it will get caught on something while your riding past it then I would worry about your legs first, cause thats what your gonna hit if your close enough to get the wip to touch another vehicle.

I run with a whip on my break lever, and it has been on my bikes for over 100,000 miles never got caught on anything.

And no it aint a tough guy thing (dumb logic, sounds like a RUB talking ).

it's there to make the cagers see ya better, and it does work as long as ya have one that has a light color or reflective strip in it.

Some say it's to smack cagers windshields but that's an urban legend; think about it your going 60-70 and ya have to disconnect the whip, grab the leather end and smack the cagers windshield, and keep your bike in control. I dont see that happining.

No RUB here. I happen to work hard for a living. I guess if someone wants to stop you right now they can just reach out and grab hold. I wouldn't be sporting one in some of the hoods I ride in. Not a good idea IMHO.

[stanley4512]

Never seen them on any bikes here (in Canada), but if they are just starting to make a comeback in the US, I guess these whips will be here in a few years.

[jdcustom]

Originally Posted by 04GLIDE

No RUB here. I happen to work hard for a living. I guess if someone wants to stop you right now they can just reach out and grab hold. I wouldn't be sporting one in some of the hoods I ride in. Not a good idea IMHO.

Be kinda hard to grab since it is constantly flying around behind me, besides how quick are people at freeway speeds at reaching out the window and trying to grab something. Think about it.

Your gonna reach out the window at 60+ grab something that is constantly moving up and down, and not have the force of the 60+ mph wind blow your arm around. Plus what your reaching for is at least a foot and a half away.

Just out of curosity anyone ever hear of someone going down because someone grabbed their whip, I would like to know if it is so....

[Potsqually]

Look at the link and read about their construction. They have a quick release so it should just snap off if pulled hard.

For a bunch of Harley rider's you guys sure are judgemental. I rode my bike to work last Friday before I took off for Wimberly. Had my leather vest on. The guys kept asking if I had "assless chaps" until I had to point out that chaps with ass are called pants.

[Sinker]

I think they're for Devo fans.

[trooper113]

Prolly kind of like WWW tires....I wouldn't have 'em, but obviously some folks like 'em, so....good for them.