Music while riding

[dangerous]

I pulled up next to a KBer today at the lights and tooted hooted waved, but no response. Yeah I know her she would have had the music roaring in her helmet.
Now ya see IMHO, music while riding is dodgy shit I mean like what if a cage was locked up behind her or a nose to tail was unfolding, the chance of hearing it behind you is next to nill so any chance to get out of the way wont happen... what about a mechanical fault on the open road, you wont hear it and a bike failure could have you land in the hedge.

After all to me the sound of the bikes engine humming its nuts off, is music enough.
So I put it to the KBer's out there, what say you on this topic?

[98tls]

I say V-twins make the best music.

[NighthawkNZ]

So I put it to the KBer's out there, what say you on this topic?

I kinda agree, and even using earplugs restricts your hearing though not as much as blearing music...

Now saying this (on the odd occasion) I listen to music, and or wear earplugs... but I do notice when I do, I am in my mirrors more due to that I know I have lost my sense of hearing...

[Ragingrob]

I listen to music through speakers in my helmet and have had no problems. It's a lot better than wearing earplugs as I can hear a lot of the road noise too.

[Trudes]

I often have my ipod going when I'm riding, I have noise cancelling earplugs so I don't have to have the music any louder than if I was out walking and find that they don't tend to drown out any more noise than my earplugs do, except for wind noise, and if I don't have my ipod on I have my earplugs in, so makes no difference, may as well listen to some tunes.

[dangerous]

Re: ear plugs, I wear em never hit the open road with out them... but all they do is cut the wind noise down I can still hear the engine and all the surounding noises, unlike music which I would have thought not only removes your suroundings but puts you in a different world?

[moT]

All good to ride with lots of music play it really loud to drown out traffic noise

[dangerous]

All good to ride with lots of music play it really loud to drown out traffic noise

So it dosnt bother you if a car is tooting cos you are about to be hit from behind or they are trying to tell you your lugage is about to go through your rear wheel and you cant hear them?


I say V-twins make the best music.

No arguments from me :)
Amen to that

[NighthawkNZ]

I say V-twins make the best music.

No arguments from me :)

[martybabe]

I often have my ipod going when I'm riding, I have noise cancelling earplugs so I don't have to have the music any louder than if I was out walking and find that they don't tend to drown out any more noise than my earplugs do, except for wind noise, and if I don't have my ipod on I have my earplugs in, so makes no difference, may as well listen to some tunes.

Get out of my brain. I was going to put exactly that, almost word for word, except I would have put MP3 instead of Ipod. :girlfight:

I ain't got nuffink to say now :laugh:

[moT]

So it dosnt bother you if a car is tooting cos you are about to be hit from behind or they are trying to tell you your lugage is about to go through your rear wheel and you cant hear them?

nah doesnt worry me as long as i wear my helmet i cant die. Its the same with seatbelts if you wear one you cant poosibly die in a car. If the government sais its true so its definatly true.

[rie]

i only wear one earphone so i can hear surrounding noise with the other ear. you should be watching all your mirrors in any case.

but keeping one ear open is particularly useful to figure out where an ambo/cop is coming from. they get pretty aggressive if you don't move in time =_=

[Headbanger]

I'd never listen to music, Nor would I want to, Its all about the bike.

[Dani-D]

I listen to music through speakers in my helmet and have had no problems. It's a lot better than wearing earplugs as I can hear a lot of the road noise too.

Ummm news flash... your hammering your ears with 110 to 120dB of high freq noise thats not doing your hearing ANY favours what so ever. Wind noise is BAD... VERY BAD. Check out a hearing test of most bikers and you'll see a specific range of hearing up high is missing on almost all of them.

I have a deaf friend who rides. He has no problems so why would the rest of us? Yes you lose a sense, but how many poeple have heard a lockup behnd them, checked the mirrors, formulated a plan, dropped the clutch and navigated a safe exit route in traffic?

I'd really love to know the answer to that one.

I wear an iPod every time I ride except on the track. On the track you need to know when a bikes up the inside of you and the music can also set you into a pace thats not as quick as it should be. I've tried it on the R6 and the YZF and I get slower but consistant lap times.

On the road however, I find i search more, I look in the mirrors more, I'm watching the gauges more - esp. the temp inh town - I'm less complacent and oblivious to my surroundings, I'm smoother and less aggressive and I enjoy the longer and the more monotonous or repetitive trips. Plus I can ignore the catcalls at the lights. BONUS.

The downsides as I have found them thus far.
I can't hear sirens coming up behind
I can get surprised by bigbore bikes shooting up the inside of me round town - the sudden noise makes me jump or startle sometimes.
I bop around (for want of a better term) from foot to foot ( boot tip to boot tip) when waiting at the lights and I'm not flat footed at the best of times.
I won't hear any faults occuring in the chassis or drive train. I WILL feel them but some may not manifest themselves that way and that would be bad.
Bluetooth systems pick up some RF from the bike and other sources and can cause deafening and /or distracting feedback noises. NOt ideal in heavy traffic etc.

[98tls]

Ummm news flash... your hammering your ears with 110 to 120dB of high freq noise thats not doing your hearing ANY favours what so ever. Wind noise is BAD... VERY BAD. Check out a hearing test of most bikers and you'll see a specific range of hearing up high is missing on almost all of them.
Would have to dispute that,ive ridden with 4 or 5 blokes for many years,none of us use plugs,ipods or anything else,we all work in the same place and have done for the last 10 years,every year we have a hearing test at work and not one of us is missing any range that anyone else has.

[Sue VFR]

My bike makes such a lovely noise I wouldn't want to miss hearing it. Especially in tunnels. But sometimes when I'm riding and in the groove I hear music in my head, not just imagined.... really hear it!!:doctor:

[Dani-D]

hmmm I was told by our medics on my last test the range I was low on was caused by the bike. I disputed that and claimed it was from weapons fire, the Steyr carbine in particular which really hurts my ears! They backed up the claim by mentioning the other people in camp who rode bikes and had a similar issue.

Maybe it was the gunfire after all.

[CastorPollux]

I listen to the iPod if I'm on a long ride (or use earplugs) more to block out the wind noise. But I don't have it so loud I can't hear the bike.

[Genestho]

This is going to sound nuts, but does anyone get a standard sound track in their head for supurb scenery?
Little Stevie Raye for the southern westcoast? Ac/dc for windy's..etc etc

I used to have a standard soundtrack for longtrips in the "head"pod (safe on the ears)...or is that just me...:shutup: if so...carryon, as you were:yes:..

[Ragingrob]

Ummm news flash... your hammering your ears with 110 to 120dB of high freq noise thats not doing your hearing ANY favours what so ever. Wind noise is BAD... VERY BAD. Check out a hearing test of most bikers and you'll see a specific range of hearing up high is missing on almost all of them.

etc etc blah blah

Who are you to say how loud my music is?

I put the music on in my helmet before I even start the bike up and it is at a comfortable level at which I can still hold conversation. Did I say that I can hear every single triangle ding in the song while cruising on the open road? No. At times I can't hear the music at all until I slow down or a particularly loud song comes on.

Thank you for your consideration and assumptions :niceone:

[Dani-D]

This is going to sound nuts, but does anyone get a standard sound track in their head for supurb scenery?
Little Stevie Raye for the southern westcoast? Ac/dc for windy's..etc etc

I used to have a standard soundtrack for longtrips in the "head"pod (safe on the ears)...or is that just me...:shutup: if so...carryon, as you were:yes:..

"As you were" lol Army brat perhaps??

I listen to Coldplay and even Seal on the cruisy bits, Katy Price, Pink, Lady GaGa etc if I'm in a clown mood, Solstate, Paparoach, Sum41, Kitsch etc on the twisties and NIN in between.

I have a remote tacked onto the fairing to switch out soundz as the road and mood changes.

[Dani-D]

Thank you for your consideration and assumptions :niceone:

Thank youself for your own assumptions... I was talking about the average dB rating of wind noise past a helmet on a riders head travelling at around 110kph.

Assumptions... we know what they do dont we.

[Ragingrob]

Thank youself for your own assumptions... I was talking about the average dB rating of wind noise past a helmet on a riders head travelling at around 110kph.

Assumptions... we know what they do dont we.

Well then we'll all be deaf without ear plugs, music or no music? So what was your point about my music-listening then?

EDIT : I get it now, lost in translation... You thought I meant music speakers in my helmet is better than earplugs as in quietening earplugs, but na I was comparing them to earplug head phones ya know.

As in.... Having sound coming through speakers in my helmet is much better than sound being forced down my ear directly through an ear-plug...

Lol... Sweet?

[NighthawkNZ]

I was talking about the average dB rating of wind noise past a helmet on a riders head travelling at around 110kph.


so in theory then I can't hear my VTwin rumble which only 96db... oh bugger....

[Dani-D]

Apparently I didn't have a point:confused:.
I just reread your post and obviuosly missed the part about you wearing earphones. I only saw the part about earplugs and wrongly assumed you were riding with nothing in place.

I apologise and have now tied my hair back to keep it out of my eyes in future. I can see the screen clearly now.

[Ragingrob]

Apparently I didn't have a point:confused:.
I just reread your post and obviuosly missed the part about you wearing earphones. I only saw the part about earplugs and wrongly assumed you were riding with nothing in place.

I apologise and have now tied my hair back to keep it out of my eyes in future. I can see the screen clearly now.

There we go! Earphones dammit that's the word! I thought earplugs sounded a bit odd for what I was meaning but couldn't think of anything else.

:pinch:

[NC]

Narh, I don't it;s just not my thing.

[MarkH]

It's funny - I don't wear earplug and didn't understand why so many think it's necessary. Then I lifted my head up higher above my windscreen and heard how noisy the wind is at 100kph, then I understood. With my Givi screen I can always hear my engine above the wind noise.

[MVnut]

Yeah I listen to music by The Termignoni Brothers:whistle:

[MentalFacility]

I have tigh earphones. I listen to music around 80% off all time. While I cant hear much around me, I deffenatly hear my engine when it reves up. I hear the most horns as well.

Listening music on the bike is something I probably wouldnt recomend, it is a bit harder to orientate while riding, specially in heavy traffic, but you can get used to it in a while.

Just keep checking the mirrors and be alert.

[Irontusk]

the music can also set you into a pace thats not as quick as it should be. I've tried it on the R6 and the YZF and I get slower but consistant lap time.

Listen to 'better' (ok ok maybe not 'better' to you, but more suited to the situation) music then :bleh:

I'd like to listen to music while I ride, because I really enjoy my music, but my earphones block out far to much sound even without music playing through them, and I just think it's too dodgy to be worth it, at my stage of riding anyway (I'm new..). I always have my music up pretty loud in my car, but I find it's much easier to keep an eye on what is going on behind me in my car, cars have more presence on the road, and.. well driving is just more boring than riding, you know? (I don't need to ask, do I?)



Caution: Logical thinking may offend.

[Horse]

I disputed that and claimed it was from weapons fire, the Steyr carbine in particular which really hurts my ears! They backed up the claim by mentioning the other people in camp who rode bikes and had a similar issue.

Gee, why would the defence force have an interest in denying personal injuries were caused by occupational hazards (ones fairly unique to the military) and instead put the blame on private non-occupational causes?

Anyway, getting back to the original questions, my bike automatically lowers the volume when I slow down for lights etc so I can hear other vehicles just fine. :)

[dangerous]

This is going to sound nuts, but does anyone get a standard sound track in their head for supurb scenery?
Little Stevie Raye for the southern westcoast? Ac/dc for windy's..etc etc

I used to have a standard soundtrack for longtrips in the "head"pod (safe on the ears)...or is that just me...:shutup: if so...carryon, as you were:yes:..
hehehe... Im hearing ya TGW, theres no beating the head pod on a perfect day at 100k and no traffic.
Altho I find Im playing what ever I was listening to before departing, but I like your choices too.
This shows a truley relaxed alert rider and Im thinking only those that have many a k under their belt will understand.


but how many poeple have heard a lockup behnd them, checked the mirrors, formulated a plan, dropped the clutch and navigated a safe exit route in traffic?
I have and that is why I mentioned it.


the music can also set you into a pace thats not as quick as it should be. perhapes but theres every chance that can work in reverse due to a lack of concentration (like what they say about talking on the phone while driving)... on the road I can emagine your pace could be 'quicker' than it should be the rider can get carried away with their music and not relise that speed entering a corner KAPOW

[Kendog]

I have also got into the noise suppressing in ear speakers, drops the wind noise down brilliantly.
Then the music is going quietly in the background, when riding corners I don't even know it's there as I am concentrating. As soon as the mind numbingly boring straights arrive I can listen to the music to pass the time.

[buellbabe]

I say V-twins make the best music.

Too bloody right!

And my bike makes sweet sweet music!

Actually I quite often ride along singing to myself...its weird the songs that can get stuck in yr head!

As for those peeps that listen to music to drown out wind/traffic noise? Well IMHO if you experience excessive wind noise then you need to invest in a better fitting/designed helmet. (just my 2c)

[Trudes]

I have also got into the noise suppressing in ear speakers, drops the wind noise down brilliantly.
Then the music is going quietly in the background, when riding corners I don't even know it's there as I am concentrating. As soon as the mind numbingly boring straights arrive I can listen to the music to pass the time.

There's a reason I married you, we think alike, I was just about to post that! And that I wouldn't bother with the music if I was riding to town, only longer trips where there's a lot of open stretches of road, like the :yawn: motorway.

[Kendog]

There's a reason I married you, we think alike,
I thought it was because I am so sexy.

[NighthawkNZ]

I thought it was because I am so sexy.

cough splutter pffft!!!



oh ummm yes question... where did you get the noise canceling speakers from and how much?

[Trudes]

cough splutter pffft!!!



oh ummm yes question... where did you get the noise canceling speakers from and how much?

Harvey Norman. Shure, they range in price from about $140 to $500. We've both got the $200 jobbies and they are bloody fantastic!

[marioc]

Never, my hearing is one of my senses I rely on to keep me alive.

[Blue Babe]

As a Pillion I love the music in my Helmet, as a learner rider I probably won't have the music on as I need to concentrated on the what is going on around me. Once I'm more confident then, yeah, I probably will Have music in my helmet, but I also realise that I will have to be well aware that I can't hear all that is going on around me, so that is where my eyes will do the trick :wink:
We have music on in the car & alot of the time it's on full blast. I've also noticed that alot of car drivers have their mp3 players plugged into their ears. So what is the difference??

[Devil]

I often have my ipod going when I'm riding, I have noise cancelling earplugs so I don't have to have the music any louder than if I was out walking and find that they don't tend to drown out any more noise than my earplugs do, except for wind noise, and if I don't have my ipod on I have my earplugs in, so makes no difference, may as well listen to some tunes.

Pretty much the same as me. With the noise isolating ear buds you dont need the music loud at all, plus I can still hear everything I need to hear around me, horns, sirens, people screaming, babies crying, old people shouting "Get off me! get off me!". Oh... wait.... story for another time maybe?

[SpeedyGirl]

I pulled up next to a KBer today at the lights and tooted hooted waved, but no response. Yeah I know her she would have had the music roaring in her helmet.
Now ya see IMHO, music while riding is dodgy shit I mean like what if a cage was locked up behind her or a nose to tail was unfolding, the chance of hearing it behind you is next to nill so any chance to get out of the way wont happen... what about a mechanical fault on the open road, you wont hear it and a bike failure could have you land in the hedge.

After all to me the sound of the bikes engine humming its nuts off, is music enough.
So I put it to the KBer's out there, what say you on this topic?

Ok Dangerous, yes it was me and yes I was listening to music, but it was not that loud and I could still hear the bike... who would not want to with that pipe on the bike! Man how did i not see you... like you are hard to miss!!!! :rofl: .... sometimes I am in a world of my own.. must be the blonde part!

[OutForADuck]

Pretty much the same as me. With the noise isolating ear buds you dont need the music loud at all, plus I can still hear everything I need to hear around me, horns, sirens, people screaming, babies crying, old people shouting "Get off me! get off me!". Oh... wait.... story for another time maybe?

I have used the noise cancelling buds but don't usually listen to anything but the music the bike makes. BTW, agree when I have music and the noise cancelling going... I can hear more than when I have straight earplugs.

:shit:But I know someone with a bluetooth helmet that uses his mobile whilst riding????? now that seems alot more crazy to me and must steal alot of your attention!!!!:shit:

[Tank]

I used to listen to music when I rode, but what I found is that the type of music changed my riding style - heavy fast music in the twisties made me ride faster than normal - and given my limited riding ability I quickly noticed that I really should concentrate on one thing at a time - and I don't really need the added distraction.

So now I have my ear plugs in (now I have been shown how to put them in right - that makes a huge difference), and I just enjoy the ride and being out there - Now - I actually think that music will detract from my enjoyment of riding.

[Dave-]

I've been dabbling with music in the 'met recently

I run my PSP at half sound, can still hear the music and beat but only just it's not over powering the sound of the engine, which I like to be able to hear as it's kind of hard to feel revs over 5k on an inline 4.

I can hear toots and sirens too (they're rarely directed at me)

it does kind of set me up with a beat i can get into, but after about an hour I find the pressure of the ear buds in my ears causes a headache, NOT THE VOLUME, when i was bussing I'd have it louder to drown out the sound of bus and annoying teenie boppers with their cellphones playing shitty rap crap.

I'm also experimenting with those foamy ear plugs, but they're basicly a headphone without music...

[98tls]

Too bloody right!



Actually I quite often ride along singing to myself... weird

And not a pleasant noise methinks.<_<

[sunhuntin]

i quite often have the ipod going when im riding. in town i keep the volume down-ish, but on the open road it gets turned up louder. i get sick of listening to wind noise after a while, and i cant hear jack all of my bike at 100k.

[texn]

the only music i need to hear while riding is the wicked beat of the zorst pipes. oooohhhhh what a nice tune that is.

[snowman]

What do you guys use, like ear buds or those ones that clip over the back of your ear?

I have tried it but its such a mission to get the helmet on without the ear bud coming out. So I don't really bother any more.

[MarkH]

I couldn't answer the survey because none of the options suited me:

1. No its dangerous to do so
- I don't think listening to music while riding is inherently dangerous, especially if the volume is not so great that you cannot hear anything around you.

2. yes and I wouldnt have it any other way
- I don't actually listen to music while riding.

3. yes and I know its dodgy
- I don't listen to music and I don't think it's dodgy.

4. never thought about it
- I have thought about it, but can't be bothered plugging my phone into my helmet and playing MP3s.

So for me the answer would be:
5. No, but I have no objection to the idea - as long as the volume isn't too high there is no big problem.

None of the answers is close enough to that.

[Skyryder]

If I want to listen to music I stay home. Music in your ears can be a distraction when you need your 'full' concentration at the time of an 'event'. Besides there is nothing better than a 'windup' and going thru the gears for your listening pleasure.


Skyryder

[The Pastor]

I use mp3 or ear plugs to get rid of wind noise as wind noise hurts my ears,

Also my exhaust / induction is sometimes lounder than the wind noise!

[The Pastor]

Wait a minnute, i just read the first post about traffic noise....... saftey..... etc etc


You guys ride on roads that have cars on them? OR you guys ride so that cars can keep up? WTF

[LittleAngel]

I have also got into the noise suppressing in ear speakers, drops the wind noise down brilliantly.
Then the music is going quietly in the background, when riding corners I don't even know it's there as I am concentrating. As soon as the mind numbingly boring straights arrive I can listen to the music to pass the time.


And that I wouldn't bother with the music if I was riding to town, only longer trips where there's a lot of open stretches of road, like the :yawn: motorway.

I'm with you guys. I listen to music only when riding out of town and its at a level where I can still 'switch off' and concentrate when I need to and then can bop along when I like. Sometimes it helps me stop stressing or over analyzing everything, helps me just chill :wari: and enjoy the ride! :woohoo:

Have learnt not to have really fast :Punk: music otherwise the speed follows suit and don't wanna see :Police: :no:

[FJRider]

I say V-twins make the best music.

I prefer the beat of the four drummers...

[FJRider]

I pulled up next to a KBer today at the lights and tooted hooted waved, but no response. Yeah I know her she would have had the music roaring in her helmet.


You may be on her ignore list...

[Toaster]

I have to nowdays, the new bike is so quiet at running in pace that I can hear the chain!

Otherwise I start singing the addictive baby music we play in the car for bubba..... argh.

[98tls]

I have to nowdays, the new bike is so quiet at running in pace that I can hear the chain!

Otherwise I start singing the addictive baby music we play in the car for bubba..... argh.
Heres the answer to that mate.

[Drew]

I listen to tunes while I ride. Not if I'm only commuting though, too much bother for a ten minute trip.

I dont listen to it loud, as in ear speakers at anything above a third volume is REAL bad for your hearing, and ALL inner ear damage is permanent.

As for bike safety, I dont think it makes much difference. I can still hear the traffic around me, and I have a real close eye on my mirrors when I'm slowing or stopped.

[dangerous]

I used to listen to music when I rode, but what I found is that the type of music changed my riding style - heavy fast music in the twisties made me ride faster than normal Yip good point, I find the same with my aperentices, if they are listening to there roudy shit tey get agro at their work, listen to my shit... and they work beter.




Never, my hearing is one of my senses I rely on to keep me alive.
good man.



I've also noticed that alot of car drivers have their mp3 players plugged into their ears. So what is the difference??
DOH... its a lot eiser to die on a bike:rolleyes:


Now I am suprised at the poll its ran bloody close the hole time, very interesting.

[Creeping Death]

I say V-twins make the best music.

Yup,agreed!I also like to sing Garth Brooks songs while riding...:Punk:

[Conquiztador]

But your poll is missing the "why the fuck would you want muzak when you can listen to the motor?"

I ride to places where there is a party where I will listen to muzak, in the same way I ride to places where I can park the bike and drink JD.

[Daffyd]

I tried but my earbuds got caught in my helmet...not good.
Now, I don't even think about it. I'd far rather hear the sound of the zorst.
And I need to concentrate 100% on my riding.

[Drew]

I reckon the music, (and singing along) takes the monotony out of the boring bits of the ride.

The safety issue is very arguable Darryl, given how loud a lot of our bikes are. and what we can hear over them anyway.

[Blue Babe]

I tried but my earbuds got caught in my helmet...not good.
Now, I don't even think about it. I'd far rather hear the sound of the zorst.
And I need to concentrate 100% on my riding.
My earplugs for music/radar are inserted into the lining of the helmet, so you don't Have the prob of them getting caught each time you put on or take off your helmet... All very technical :laugh: & you wouldn't know they were there except for wiring popping out under the helmet

[Toaster]

Heres the answer to that mate.

Now that's wicked! :Punk: