Thoughts on music and riding...

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th December 2008, 14:25

Gidday all.
Riding solo can be a bugger!

Sure it is nice to view the surroundings, take in the scenery and chew that bit of flesh in the inside of the mouth as we ride....

What about the music angle? Do we listen to Itunes, do we load up the Ipod before a ride, plug it into the headphones and crank it up?

What about the concentration aspect, the safety etc?

Any thoughts out there guys?

Me. personally, that is really the only time I get to listen to the 8000 songs I have on my Ipod..lol, and the bonus is the battery does last for the days ride too!
It isn't anti-social either as it is just me. I do turn it off for the petrol, the cafes just so I can talk to the people. It always pissed me off when I saw people with speakers in thir ears and I was trying to talk to them and not having the decency to take out the ear-phones...GGrrrrr!

Turn it off!!

Be good to hear from all.....
Have a great loud weekend!!

**keithbuckby** · 5th December 2008, 14:35

I often thought about plugging in the headphones instead of the earplugs

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th December 2008, 14:40

Originally Posted by keithbuckby

I often thought about plugging in the headphones instead of the earplugs

I love it!! Doesn't make you ride faster, doesn't make you unsafe, so what's the difference? ear plugs, or music? I know which I would prefer....

I do a lot of miles out there and on a 10 hour ride, having some sounds makes it sooooo enjoyable!

Mind you, depends on whether you want music or self-help documentaries or learn a language...lol

**slofox** · 5th December 2008, 14:47

There's no option for those like myself who just don't want to listen to music on the bike. I listen to the song of the engine, the wail of the wind over the screen, the twang of my sphincter as I overshoot yet another corner........

**BOGAR** · 5th December 2008, 14:50

I have a pair of headphones in the helmet and have a wireless system to the bike were I can listen to music, my Navman giving occasional instructions and now also my radar detector. It is all low enough not to deafen me even on al long ride and I can still easily hear the bike and other vehicles. I went for a good bike helmet that was quiet as well. Saves me singing to my self were I would certainly crash.

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th December 2008, 14:53

Originally Posted by slofox

There's no option for those like myself who just don't want to listen to music on the bike. I listen to the song of the engine, the wail of the wind over the screen, the twang of my sphincter as I overshoot yet another corner........

I can never remember the songs playing at the time as I overshoot those corners...

I guess whoever scrapes me up can listen in on those headphones and see that Bruce Springsteen was to blame or the chorus of Bat out of Hell.....lol

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th December 2008, 14:56

Originally Posted by RED YZFR6

I have a pair of headphones in the helmet and have a wireless system to the bike were I can listen to music, my Navman giving occasional instructions and now also my radar detector. It is all low enough not to deafen me even on al long ride and I can still easily hear the bike and other vehicles. I went for a good bike helmet that was quiet as well. Saves me singing to my self were I would certainly crash.

I am a bit deaf anyway, the volume is probably a bit high but I can feel the vibrations of the bike, the gears and watch the Tacho with the revs...
I sort of know how my ride is performing out there...I hope?

**Okey Dokey** · 5th December 2008, 15:47

I didn't vote because no option seemed quite right. I don't feel like a soundtrack when I am riding.

Except I do sing to myself a bit. Neil Young's Look Out For My Love is a current favourite.

**Duke girl** · 5th December 2008, 15:49

I guess theres nothing wrong with listening to music while your riding as long as you have it at such a level where you can not only hear your music but also hear whats going on around you. It sure does take the boredom out of long trips and theres nothing like headbanging to the beat of a good song while riding the Highways as it makes the trip more enjoyable.

**portokiwi** · 5th December 2008, 15:52

Long rides I like to have music.... but around town I dont.

Bad enough people think we are crazy bikers. Last thing we need is me trying to sing on my bike in town

**Tony W** · 5th December 2008, 16:14

I HATE music in the car. I have never contemplated music on the bike.
To me this is abhorrent.

Riding in itself is a symphony. Music is annoying .
To me, an i-pod is something my kids have.

Music is to be played on a full system in the lounge at HOME. 46 widescreen optional for DVDs !

Music on the bike is the wind and the mechanical sounds.

My helmet visor is the widescreen on the world.

Stick the i-pod ! (and your GPS too.)

**banditrider** · 5th December 2008, 16:22

I've tried walkman's etc in the past but always found that you had to have them turned up as loud as possible so I've avoided them and stuck to ear-plugs to get rid of the wind noise. I've now got an ipod and some in-ear earphones which completely cancel the wind noise and mean that the music does not have to be up loud. Still to try it on a decent ride but think it might be quite nice on a long trip when riding by myself. Can hardly hear the bike anyway...

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th December 2008, 16:39

Originally Posted by Tony W

I HATE music in the car. I have never contemplated music on the bike.
To me this is abhorrent.

Riding in itself is a symphony. Music is annoying .
To me, an i-pod is something my kids have.

Music is to be played on a full system in the lounge at HOME. 46 widescreen optional for DVDs !

Music on the bike is the wind and the mechanical sounds.

My helmet visor is the widescreen on the world.

Stick the i-pod ! (and your GPS too.)

Chill out brother....I know you are entitled to your opinions too, that is the reason for this forum, but no need to be so angry and bitter about it...Sheesh!

**Hitcher** · 5th December 2008, 16:40

The rorty thrum of a TBR-enhanced FJR1300 is music enough for me while riding. Diana Krall can wait until I get home.

**Padmei** · 5th December 2008, 20:41

Born to run, freebird, cortez the killer...yep I'm a classic rocker thru & thru & now have my two loves together with my MP3 player & earphones (I can even partake in my third love while riding, looking at breasts - but that is really dangerous

)

Tried a couple of quiet helmets on to cancel out wind noise but found them really hot & suffocating. So I have the ipod at a set level when I get on my bike & if I cant hear it then I wait until the wind goes.