Creature comforts...

[ManDownUnder]

Riding in to work this morning, I was toodeling along in traffic thinking it would be nice to have a little music... and that got me thinking.

Some bikes have all the creature comforts, radios, heated this and that, inflatable things etc. The only thing bringing me satisfaction would have to be the throttle...

Anyhoo - what do you guys/gals have? What would you have if money was no object? I think I'd quite like one of those in helmet sets that you could talk to a pillion or listen to the radio on (NB I would NOT hook my phone into it...)

Your thoughts?
MDU

[Marknz]

Interesting.. was just thinking yesterday that a nice alternative to standard earplugs might be a good MP3 player with lots on my favourite music dowloaded for those horrible straight roads. Of course when you get to the twisty good stuff I reckon you would just tune out of the music and into the road and not know the sound was there....

Be interested to here other peoples perspective on this. And if you do have MP3 players... what are your recommendations for specific models?

Cheers

[Hitcher]

Mrs H is in a mood to acquire an MP3. Recommendations from a rider POV would be appreciated.

Some people may argue that an external music source is better than humming for hours on end the theme for "The Beverly Hillbillies", "Dancing Queen" or, god help me "Who painted the moon black?" by the vile and dreaded Haley Westenra...

[Pwalo]

Riding in to work this morning, I was toodeling along in traffic thinking it would be nice to have a little music... and that got me thinking.

Some bikes have all the creature comforts, radios, heated this and that, inflatable things etc. The only thing bringing me satisfaction would have to be the throttle...

Anyhoo - what do you guys/gals have? What would you have if money was no object? I think I'd quite like one of those in helmet sets that you could talk to a pillion or listen to the radio on (NB I would NOT hook my phone into it...)

Your thoughts?
MDU

I'd like a helmet that's quiet. Love my heated grips when it's cold, but my favourite mod is my after market clock.

I'd like a few more bhp, and some of those torguey thingeys.

[ManDownUnder]

I'd like a helmet that's quiet. Love my heated grips when it's cold, but my favourite mod is my after market clock.

I'd like a few more bhp, and some of those torguey thingeys.

Yeah - I did good with the RF purchase ... bhp and torquey things in abundance... just the warm, dry and music aspects I'd like to improve on I think...

But then it is also part f the experiencve, so part of me enjoys not having those things too - go figure!
MDU

[Pwalo]

But then it is also part f the experiencve, so part of me enjoys not having those things too - go figure!
MDU[/QUOTE]

I understand. Some creature comforts are great, especially good gear, but I enjoy the concentration riding well requires. Warm hands/feet/body good, but I have a sneaky feeling MP3s etc would be a bit distracting.

I think some frame sliders might be a better investment.

[vifferman]

Depends on the trip, I reckon. Generally, I could do without the distraction, but I've had some very long trips where music would have been appreciated (like the Canterbury Plains). I have friends in the US who have special earplugs (Sony and Koss are two who make them) which are both earplugs and speakers, hooked into their MP3 players, intercomms, etc.
Mrs FS has asked for an intercomm, as our hand-signal communication is woeful and inadequate, and no doubt we'll jack summat up utilising Electronic Boy's (middle son) skills, and no doubt, he'll want an MP3 in there somewhere...

[James Deuce]

Be really careful about in ear speakers in a noisy environment. It would be very easy to do long term damage to your hearing. If you do make sure you buy in-ear monitors that provide noise protection as well as piping music to your brain. They will also need a secondary power source. They are expensive but will make sure that you don't damage your hearing. Another point is that high levels of noise for extended periods can cause fatigue, whihc is not a good combination with motorcycles.

A lot of people gave me a hard time the last time I suggested that headphones while riding is a bad idea, but once your hearing is damaged it doesn't get better, ever. Any noise over 90dB for extended periods has the potential to cause permamnent damage, and the dB scale is not linear, it is logarithmic. I think one dB point is actually 3 times louder. Another thing to bear in mind is the SPL or sound pressure rating. If you create a standing wave in your ear canal you can perforate or even rupture your ear drum.

[jrandom]

I think one dB point is actually 3 times louder.

We discussed this in another thread recently with our friendly local acoustics engineer (Coldkiwi). The measurable power level in a pressure wave goes up logarithmically (specifically, a 3dB differential indicates twice (or half) the power level) but our aural perception is linear on the same scale; 3dB is close to the minimum possible difference that the human ear can detect.

In other words, when something sounds 'twice as loud', the energy in the compression waves assaulting your eardrums is actually several orders of magnitude greater.

[Blakamin]

Mrs H is in a mood to acquire an MP3. Recommendations from a rider POV would be appreciated.

Ive got one of these and it rocks! battery lasts ages (i use rechargable) the perfect thing for long highway trips... and i paid 175 for mine 4 months ago

[jrandom]

Mrs H is in a mood to acquire an MP3. Recommendations from a rider POV would be appreciated.

Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun would surely be appropriate.

She *will* need to get something to play it on, though.

[Dodgyiti]

Creature comforts Mmmm
Not many for commuting to work..
Full fairing for the rain
Cruise control for resting the other wrist
Tank bag for resting the arms on
Nice warm weather proof [ and safe] riding gear

On the list
Heated grips for winter
A fluffy thingy for the seat
More spongy grips
Boots that don't leak

[vifferman]

Be really careful about in ear speakers in a noisy environment. It would be very easy to do long term damage to your hearing. If you do make sure you buy in-ear monitors that provide noise protection as well as piping music to your brain.

What about noise-cancelling systems? Given that most of the (hearing-damaging) ambient noise inside one's helmet is wind noise, which is reasonably constant in frequency, surely this would be an ideal environment for such technology? If this is feasible (and achievable), then the volume required for any extra noise (music, intercom, etc.) would be much lower.

As an aside, I personally believe that motorcycling is an inherently different pastime to sitting in your car or lounge, and the fact that one doesn't usually listen to music or communicate verbally with others while doing so is all part of the experience. However, anything I can do to make Mrs FS's riding experience more pleasant is worthwhile, as already she is the one who is instigating the rides we go on. So if she wants an intercomm, I'm all for it.

[AMPS]

I'm going to get an ipod to keep my wife amused during our SI trip in Feb. But I think it'll be too distracting for me. Toying with the idea of an intercom too, but I'm not sure about that either. For the same reason.
I don't know if I'd like a screamed "SLOW DOWN" in my earhole mid-corner.
Lou

[Dodgyiti]

I'm going to get an ipod to keep my wife amused during our SI trip in Feb. But I think it'll be too distracting for me. Toying with the idea of an intercom too, but I'm not sure about that either. For the same reason.
I don't know if I'd like a screamed "SLOW DOWN" in my earhole mid-corner.
Lou

Yep,
I think the serenity of long hauls is nice without interuptions, but I would have to double check that opinion with Management.