Originally Posted by bikingshearer
My thoughts? I think it's a bad idea. You are one heck of a lot better off going the prevention route - choose safer places to ride, be aware of your surroundings, and listen to that voice in your head that says "this place doesn't look too good" - if that voice goes off in your head, listen to it and leave.
The reality is that a baton like you are thinking about is only going to give you a real advantage in what was otherwise the proverbial "fair fight." But guess what? The bad guys of the world are not the least bit interested in a fair fight. Every time you are faced with the kind of situation in which you would want to use your baton, you will be (1) outnumbered, (2) ambushed, (3) faced with knives or firearms, or (4) all of the above. The possible legal ramifications of carrying a baton only make the situation worse for you.
Although I agree with you about watching where you go, you have vastly underestimated the capabilities of a baton. Granted its useless against a gun, but against knives and/or multiple assailants they are great. I know a cop who along with his partner took on about 20 guys in a bar with their batons and beat the **** out of them, and managed to leave the scene unscathed.