Today, let’s discuss an accessory with a relatively short history. No soldiers, shepherds, or monasteries here, just brave biker dudes.
A biker whip can be attached to the brake or clutch lever of a motorcycle. Its distinctive feature is a special lock that allows the whip to be removed with a swift tug and brought into action in a matter of seconds.
Whip Matching the Lever Wrap
Today, the biker whip has lost much of its original purpose and is used not so much out of “necessity” as a stylish vintage accessory and/or a badge of identity. These whips are often made in the color scheme of club symbolism or matched to the bike’s paint job. The whip is balanced to flutter elegantly while riding but won’t hit the biker or passenger.
The range of materials used to make biker whips is quite broad. Both natural and synthetic leather, paracord, chains, and any combination of these materials are common. It’s also not unusual to find spikes, skulls, and other metal embellishments.
Since motorcycle models (and their owners’ tastes) can vary widely, the length of a biker whip is also quite variable: from 63 cm to 122 cm.
Lastly, let me show you an example of an original biker whip from the 1940s.
Length: 99 cm, with a weighted handle