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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: vstevens on February 13, 2016, 10:19:54 AM
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On my last ride, my ears were unhappy with elevation changes and earbuds. What's a good way to listen to music safely?
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I haven't been able to do so before, but I have a new helmet coming along with a bluetooth/radio system specially made for the helmet. It has flat speakers that attach to cutouts in the helmet, under the lining. I have no idea if I will actually be able to hear anything over the roar of traffic, wind, and engine...
Even my new BMW 228xi is loud as heck at speed (darn run-flat tires, I think). It is almost impossible to listen to music on some roads.
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In my opinion, it's not safe to listen to music while riding at all. I think it's safer to listen to all the sounds of riding and the traffic around me than to listen to music, so I don't try.
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I just sign along with the voices in my head.
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I got a bluetooth unit two years ago as a christmas gift and thought Id never really use it but now can't imagine not having one and play music every time I ride. I have it connected to my I- phone and use Pandora, I-pod and just added an XM app thats just friggin awesome. To me its no different than driving my car without music and I don't find it distracting at all, I wear earplugs and can hear it and traffic noises just fine.
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In my opinion, it's not safe to listen to music while riding at all. I think it's safer to listen to all the sounds of riding and the traffic around me than to listen to music, so I don't try.
:1: This. Though when I'm on an empty road, I will sing to myself. Poorly.
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Music is not for motorcycles. Isn't there already enough sensory input?
I have a Victory so I get all their promos. Their latest thing is the 'Magnum' edition with 10-speaker Wowza Blowout Sound, or whatever they call it. Every time I see one of these ape-hanger Harley guys sitting at a stoplight, playing Lynerd Skynerd louder than their straight pipes, I shake my head.
Next it will be factory disco balls. Jesus.
Joe
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Music is not for motorcycles. Isn't there already enough sensory input?
I have a Victory so I get all their promos. Their latest thing is the 'Magnum' edition with 10-speaker Wowza Blowout Sound, or whatever they call it. Every time I see one of these ape-hanger Harley guys sitting at a stoplight, playing Lynerd Skynerd louder than their straight pipes, I shake my head.
Next it will be factory disco balls. Jesus.
Joe
Indeed, I ride bikes for the experience of riding and for me the sounds are a big part of that.
I do listen to music in the car though...
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Vince , apparently playing music on a motorbike will cause your brain to melt , or worse :rolleyes:
No idea how to answer your question , but plenty of times traveling across the plains I have considered how to equip the bike with music .
Dusty
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I am not a safety Nazi. I will step on the top of a step ladder, and I will ride my Vespa out in the country in shorts and a T-shirt...
If you want to listen to music while riding, go for it. I plan to do so.
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http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=80621.0;nowap Pictures
If it isn't safe to listen to music while riding a bike it isn't safe while driving a car. Inside a car you are even more isolated from what is going on outside so the logic of it not being safe while riding is proved how?
Really, riding a motorcycle and safety because of music is the concern? You don't hear the car that hits you and if you do, it's probably too late.
Granted, if you blast the music so loud that you can't hear anything else, that is another story.
Just how is it safe to listen to music or the radio in a car, talk to passengers but with a bike it is a no-no?
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:1: This. Though when I'm on an empty road, I will sing to myself. Poorly.
That is how I have always done it. And years of coughing horridly and sneezes that sound like Miss Piggy whomping someone have left me with but three notes. None of those three are ever the right ones.
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I listen to the bike with my ears. :boozing:
The last thing I want is music on the Guzzi. :evil:
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I am not a safety Nazi. I will step on the top of a step ladder, and I will ride my Vespa out in the country in shorts and a T-shirt...
If you want to listen to music while riding, go for it. I plan to do so.
lol - most of my riding has been on the Vespa with sandals, swimsuit and sunglasses along with a towel for a swimming. :boozing:
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I love music..and are a bit of a musician myself...
but i never listen to music while riding , it for me would be to distracting and i prefer the music of what the ride provides instead
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Silicone ear plugs, about a 20 to 25 NRR, with a Sena SMH10. Wife and sons have Senas also. Listening to my playlists when riding ("Bad Girlfriend" and "Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide" really help with my speed through the Ozarks) and being able to talk to those on other bikes improve the experience for me.
Oh, and being able to text and phone calls bonus!
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Music and communications add to motorcycling experiences, it doesn't have to detract from them. As with all things, some like it, some do not. Those that like it probably won't convince those that don't it is ok and vice versa.
It can be helpful though, if you have GPS to hear directions or hear road closures and weather alerts.
If you like earbuds, try the MPOW bluetooth transmitter. It turned wired earbuds into bluetooth capable. The bluetooth earbuds all seem to be very bulky. The MPOW device lets you use your favorite earbuds with any bluetooth music or radio source.
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SHOULDN'T! Period. Stay focused & enjoy the ride. For 50 years the wind, engine & my thoughts have kept me happy, solved more issues, cured more kinks than just about anything else. Had 1 radio on 1 Vettered Gold Wing in 1980 for about 6 mos before selling the Vetter off the GL. You simply CANNOT process Utah, the PCH, Blueridge Pkwy, Natches Trace w/the original sections of path alongside, Going to The Sun Hwy, loneliest hwy in Nv w/ the remnants of pony express & stage coach stations in YOUR own way while distracted. WHY get on a m/c or fish on the end of a pier & take the world with you? IMO, I will never understand the reasons for doing so. :smiley:
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I do listen music while riding. UClear HBC200 is what I use, good sound and it does not distract me.
To listen music 8 hours nonstop is not my thing, but I switch music on and off every hour or so. Keeps me entertained.
I know men can do only one thing at a time, so you guys may be right...
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Egad! Not safe? Wow.
I love listening to music while on the bike. And I like having an intercom when riding with someone else. MUCH SAFER than waving arms and passing a buddy just to try to get him to stop for gas.
I will continue to listen to music, and take a phone call every now and then while you guys do your own thing.
I suppose that ALL of you who think music is not safe also do not have a GPS or a map on your tank bag. Those are much more distracting than music.
And a passenger is more distracting than any of the above :D
PS my method is to use a bluetooth headset in the helmet. My current and favorite is the UClear. But, a Sena would be my second choice, especially if bike to bike comm is important. Also, you can splice in a better pair of speakers with any of the others (UClear have the microphone in the speakers so higher quality upgrades are not feasible)
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I do listen music while riding. UClear HBC200 is what I use, good sound and it does not distract me.
To listen music 8 hours nonstop is not my thing, but I switch music on and off every hour or so. Keeps me entertained.
I know men can do only one thing at a time, so you guys may be right...
Cool thing about the Senas and UClears are you can easily turn the music/communications off if you start thinking you don't need to be hearing the other input. Being able to talk bike to bike with traveling companions, especially when navigating through busy towns with multiple turns or like when we were on Colorado 141 last summer being able to tell my wife 1/8 mile behind that there is a sand wash crossing the road in a curve.
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Egad! Not safe? Wow.
I love listening to music while on the bike. And I like having an intercom when riding with someone else. MUCH SAFER than waving arms and passing a buddy just to try to get him to stop for gas.
I will continue to listen to music, and take a phone call every now and then while you guys do your own thing.
I suppose that ALL of you who think music is not safe also do not have a GPS or a map on your tank bag. Those are much more distracting than music.
And a passenger is more distracting than any of the above :D
PS my method is to use a bluetooth headset in the helmet. My current and favorite is the UClear. But, a Sena would be my second choice, especially if bike to bike comm is important. Also, you can splice in a better pair of speakers with any of the others (UClear have the microphone in the speakers so higher quality upgrades are not feasible)
:1: :thumb:
Seem to remember the OP asking how people listen to music, not asking if it was safe or how not do to it. :rolleyes:
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In my opinion, it's not safe to listen to music while riding at all. I think it's safer to listen to all the sounds of riding and the traffic around me than to listen to music, so I don't try.
I concur. I used to listen but stopped because of the influence the tempo of the music had on my throttle hand. My partner listens to music and has had a couple of mishaps, mechanical and traffic that bit him.
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I also do not listen to music while riding . I want all my senses engaged and try and stay focused on the entire experience.Possibly because I've become a careful old man.The brother-in-law rides a Voyager with 8 speakers and cruises around oblivious to everything. He's also had a couple of avoidable accidents.
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You're correct NP. To be more specific; I listen in the garage, car, & the house. GPS? Love it in urban environments locating an address. Elsewhere, like one journalist who's name I can't recall stated "diminishes the adventure dispite it's occasionall advantages." I don't need anyone/thing telling me what to do. :smiley:
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what an interesting topic.
I don't listen to music whilst riding. I've tried it in the past with a rather fancy set of Bluetooth earbuds (now relegated to lawn-mowing duties) and found that the music, even stuff I really like, actually detracted from the experience of the ride. Hear me out: part of the purpose of a ride, for me, is to be alone with my thoughts and to be detached from society and all of the obligations of work and life. It's all I'm doing and it's all I CAN do. No texts. No calls. No pages. No arguments. No responsibilities. Just me and my thoughts. With the increasing connectivity of all things, isn't it amazing to not be connected? It's the most relaxing several hours I'll have all day or maybe all week. And music, even my favorite stuff, and I'm totally a music guy, will only sully the event.
But that's me. I totally get how someone could really enjoy music while they ride and I think that the safety concerns are overblown.
As an aside, I use earplugs regularly and highly recommend them; if got nothing else than to protect your hearing even if wearing a full helmet. You take away most of the noise and strange things happen: Smells smell more. Thoughts are louder. The road passes by and riding starts to feel a bit like flying. It's the best.
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:1: :thumb:
Seem to remember the OP asking how people listen to music, not asking if it was safe or how not do to it. :rolleyes:
Good point.
When I did do it, I used Bluetooth earbuds.
Pos: no wires.
Neg: limited battery life.
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I suppose that ALL of you who think music is not safe also do not have a GPS or a map on your tank bag. Those are much more distracting than music.
I can't speak for the others, but I stop to look at maps and/or GPS, and intentionally don't keep them in view while I'm riding. I had a fairly bad crash when I was about 20 that was the result of looking in my mirror for a couple seconds, and now a loud alarm goes off in my head if anything starts to take my attention away from what's in front of and around me.
I Seem to remember the OP asking how people listen to music, not asking if it was safe or how not do to it. :rolleyes:
He actually asked "What's a good way to listen to music safely?". If some of us believe it's not safe, it seems OK that we said so. As you said above, "As with all things, some like it, some do not. Those that like it probably won't convince those that don't it is ok and vice versa." That was well stated.
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My ears are stuffed full of foam earplugs when I ride, so no music.
I too though sing (badly) to myself. Thinking about it though, I only tend to do that when the roads are pretty straight/little traffic. Lotsa corners and I am all concentration.
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I get enough pleasure listening to the sound of the dual exhaust. Some times I wonder what it would sound like if it has a cross over pipe? Don't need music, the Guzzi makes it's own.
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I have the music in the MP3 portion of my GPS. The music plays through a Mix-It2 amplifier into speakers in my helmet. The MP3 has 500-600 tunes on a mini chip. I set it up to play randomly. I hear the various tunes once or twice if I'm on the road for a week or more. I use it for background sound, set low enough so I can hear emergency vehicles, tire noise of trucks that are near me, etc. I've been doing it for years.
Ride safe.
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Silicone ear plugs, about a 20 to 25 NRR, with a Sena SMH10. Wife and sons have Senas also. Listening to my playlists when riding ("Bad Girlfriend" and "Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide" really help with my speed through the Ozarks) and being able to talk to those on other bikes improve the experience for me.
Oh, and being able to text and phone calls bonus!
Same setup here. Works great. There's nothing inherently unsafe about having a little music playing in your helmet. Plus the bluetooth speakers let you make calls or listen to nav prompts from your phone or GPS. I tried using earbuds but could never get them into a helmet comfortably. The Sena has a built in tuner and antenna, so I can listen to radio stations as well. I have the model designed for my helmet and it's almost invisible. Only a small volume control is on the outside of the helmet.
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Different strokes for different folks. I'm like this..
Hear me out: part of the purpose of a ride, for me, is to be alone with my thoughts and to be detached from society and all of the obligations of work and life. It's all I'm doing and it's all I CAN do. No texts. No calls. No pages. No arguments. No responsibilities. Just me and my thoughts.
But the Kid listens to music from his phone. He has custom ear plugs with bluetooth for flying in helicopters.. those are noisy boogers.
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I'm unable to listen & ride. I'm also unable to listen & do work at the day-job.
As a musician I find I'm so distracted by the way I'm wired to listen to music that it takes over.
I lack the ability to have music in the background.
I understand how others might be able to have some soundtrack playing while they do other tasks.
I tried & experienced a lack of attention to the one task that WILL have a fatal consequence. Not might, or maybe. . .
As for the original question -
Good friend has a set of custom molded in-ear monitors that keep down ambient racket and permits low volume so that he's not killing his ears trying to overcome the jet-blast of wind noise.
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Great replies! I expected some folks would err on the side of safety and recommend no music... that's ok and I appreciate the sounds of the bike and surroundings as well. I'll look into the Bluetooth earbuds and speakers, both Uclear and Sena, and see if they might work for me. Even better, those db killer earplugs may be the ticket.
Truth is, I'm pretty busy most weeks so only get to ride a few hours on the weekend. For me, music enhances the riding experience, tends to help me collect my thoughts and sort them out... without a lot of conscious effort. Music drives me toward "reflection" or something like that.
Didnt mean to get all mushy 🙄
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I listen to music via Shure earbuds but only if I'm high tailing it on the super slab or alone on a non challenging road. If I'm in the twisties or with other riders I never listen. On the more challenging roads I want full concentration on my riding. I also use a GPS on my iPhone and a map in my tank bag. One should check their local jurisprudence as its illegal in certain areas. It is in my western PA county but everyone makes their own decisions.
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...
I don't listen to music whilst riding. I've tried it in the past with a rather fancy set of Bluetooth earbuds (now relegated to lawn-mowing duties) and found that the music, even stuff I really like, actually detracted from the experience of the ride. Hear me out: part of the purpose of a ride, for me, is to be alone with my thoughts and to be detached from society and all of the obligations of work and life. It's all I'm doing and it's all I CAN do. No texts. No calls. No pages. No arguments. No responsibilities. Just me and my thoughts. With the increasing connectivity of all things, isn't it amazing to not be connected? It's the most relaxing several hours I'll have all day or maybe all week. And music, even my favorite stuff, and I'm totally a music guy, will only sully the event.
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:1: Riding is the soundtrack. Without the Gaussian noise, the meditation would just not be the same. Plus I know myself too well. Some tracks just get your blood boiling, leading to ever increasing risk taking. Play it safe and just ride :bike-037:
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Sing,
Loudly :azn:
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Listening to music while I ride interferes with my texting.
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what an interesting topic.
I don't listen to music whilst riding. I've tried it in the past with a rather fancy set of Bluetooth earbuds (now relegated to lawn-mowing duties) and found that the music, even stuff I really like, actually detracted from the experience of the ride. Hear me out: part of the purpose of a ride, for me, is to be alone with my thoughts and to be detached from society and all of the obligations of work and life. It's all I'm doing and it's all I CAN do. No texts. No calls. No pages. No arguments. No responsibilities. Just me and my thoughts. With the increasing connectivity of all things, isn't it amazing to not be connected? It's the most relaxing several hours I'll have all day or maybe all week. And music, even my favorite stuff, and I'm totally a music guy, will only sully the event.
But that's me. I totally get how someone could really enjoy music while they ride and I think that the safety concerns are overblown.
As an aside, I use earplugs regularly and highly recommend them; if got nothing else than to protect your hearing even if wearing a full helmet. You take away most of the noise and strange things happen: Smells smell more. Thoughts are louder. The road passes by and riding starts to feel a bit like flying. It's the best.
:1: My thoughts precisely
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Listening to music while I ride interferes with my texting.
Ha!
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Sing,
Loudly :azn:
My singing is much more distracting than any canned stuff , or maybe disturbing is more accurate :rolleyes:
Dusty
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My singing is much more distracting than any canned stuff , or maybe disturbing is more accurate :rolleyes:
Dusty
The acoustics of a full face helmet makes any singing sound good. :grin:
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The acoustics of a full face helmet makes any singing sound good. :grin:
Might work for anyone else , just makes the disturbance worse in my case :shocked:
Dusty
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Listening to music while I ride interferes with my texting.
Humor, what a concept!
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I tried a couple of different ways of listening to tunes on the bike. Wasn't my cup of tea although music is a big hobby of mine listening on the road wasn't for me. I tend to give both pastimes my undevided attention.
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I have tried listening to music through an IPod and Etymotic earbuds, but could not hear much over about 55-60 mph. There just got to be too much sensory input and it actually started to aggravate me a little. I'll admit however, that electric blues on an empty rural two-lane going 50mph is pretty sublime. I still bring my music kit along when touring, but it is only on certain occasions that I choose to use it.
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I concur. I used to listen but stopped because of the influence the tempo of the music had on my throttle hand. My partner listens to music and has had a couple of mishaps, mechanical and traffic that bit him.
I am with you on this...I like to hear the sounds of the road and what's going on around me...and more so I love the sound of the V twin...especially when you can hear the oscillation between the cylinders and that sweet spot in rpms. Not all bikes have a tach...I consider hearing essential for total connection with the bike and the environment around you.
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Foam earplugs and a Sena SMH10 system.
But the 'quality' is crap if that bothers you.
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Enjoy the ride
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I concur. I used to listen but stopped because of the influence the tempo of the music had on my throttle hand. My partner listens to music and has had a couple of mishaps, mechanical and traffic that bit him.
I agree. You comments about the effect of music on the throttle hand are well taken.
If I am not mistaken, it is illegal in some jurisdictions to have an earpiece in both ears while operating a car . . . and I presume any motorized vehicle.
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I find a car or truck going my way, playing music with the windows down, and tag along.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic001/BandTruck_zps4tikmnjc.jpg)
:grin:
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If I am not mistaken, it is illegal in some jurisdictions to have an earpiece in both ears while operating a car . . . and I presume any motorized vehicle.
I've seen some of those laws. Humorous if not for the person who is arrested for it. Imagine, it is ok to drive a cage that is advertised for a quiet ride, add a 100W stereo system, but, it is not legal to wear headphones. Stupid.
FWIW, if you are a serious music listener, don't bother on the bike. The ambient noises wipe out a good portion of the spectrum. It does help to have a very quiet helmet but not by much.
I just can't see going on a multi-day trip without music or audio books to listen to. Yeah, if all I did was an hour or two at a time, music would not be high on my list.
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Bluetooth streaming of my Iphone Music or Pandora to my Scala Rider 1. It pairs also to the TomTom Rider to receive calls...I don't dial out while riding, but if someone calls, I can answer and the sound quality is excellent...in fact those on the other end report very quiet and clear reception with the Scala.
I do wear ear plugs, so the sound even at full volume of the Scala's device is not loud at all, just at a low level to keep me company. The Scala also has volume as speed dependent, so as you increase from 30-60 mph, the sound increases to its max, but even at full volume with ear plugs in, it's more like background music rather than full blast. Without the plugs it's too loud so you have to dial it back a few clicks of the button to get to a tolerable level.
Music is not distracting in my case and whether it's a couple of hours or all day riding, it's nice to have along, just like having a little bit of musical accompaniment to my own singing! Sometimes I flip it off when I just want to hear the pure sound of the bike only...I think it works well as the Shoei is a very quiet helmet to begin with.
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Galaxy Note and a Bilt Bluetooth Evo II helmet
wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=70550.0
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I have a UClear system I attach to my helmet and I link it to my phone and play the music I have stored there.
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:1: My thoughts precisely
:1: again i am with you guys there...
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Listening to music while I ride interferes with my texting.
Lol
Hey I’m in KC area as well.
"I use ear buds but don’t always listen to music but when I do it adds to the experience for me"
inditx
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I sing.
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I just sign along with the voices in my head.
Shouldn't your hands be on the grips?
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Listening to music whilst riding would ruin the ride imo.
Never done it, never plan to.
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I stream music on my iPhone via Bluetooth and my scala rider communication system. Them helmet has cutouts for the earbuds. Works well and has good reviews.
Cheers,
Chris
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I do listen to music while riding, especially if I'm going to be on the interstate where there is nothing else to keep my attention. But it's not a given. A lot of times I don't use headphones, even if I do have them in, I can enjoy not listening to music and listening to the pipes instead.
Having a naked bike does mean I tend to wear earplugs that block a lot of noise no matter what, and at that point I'd rather be listening to something I like rather than wind noise.
If I'm going to be riding a fun road though, I don't listen to anything. The noise of the 1100 engine a WOT is something that will never get old.
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Anyone ever try those units with the speakers that attach to the handlebars? All kinds out there with all different prices. 😎
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I pull up next to a car at a stoplight that has either the sound turned up loud or the windows rolled down.
Otherwise I play tunes in my head, or do without.
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Jumping in a bit late, since I just saw this thread.
I use the Sena SMH10 system in all my helmets, with several modules all paired to my Android phone. I have a charging port in the trunk of the Norge, so I can swap from one module to another on Ironbutt rides. I wear custom-fitted earplugs on the highway, but the Senas have enough punch to still be listenable even with the plugs in place. While not audiophile quality, it is good enough. My phone has most of my music library on board, thanks to a 64GB memory card; I use MP3 with SBR compression, since the sound quality loss is not noticeable on the bike - FLAC lossless is the master format at home.
I can appreciate the point that it's nice to just ride and listen to the experience without additional content - but for me, particularly on endurance rides, music helps keep me alert and responsive. The changes in rhythm, melody and style are particularly helpful in the big empty spaces we have to cross out west...
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I have a Q3 bluetooth headset and have upgraded to XSound 3 helmet speakers. I've got a 128GB sd card in my phone loaded with mp3s and maps for Copilot. I mostly cue up playlists of my favorite music and play them on random.
I wear ear plugs to cut down on the wind noise, but can still hear the music and, yes, even traffic. With the headset is around 3/4 volume I can still hear the bike and traffic around me. The auto gain on the headset is a nice feature, allowing me to hear whats going on around me at slower speeds in heavy traffic then craning it up as I get moving. :evil:
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Sing,
Loudly :azn:
I often wonder if when singing as I buzz by someone if they get that Doppler effect thing......signed bugs in teeth