Who listens to music when they ride??

[derstuka]

Hey all, what is your opinion on listening to music while you ride? I mean, do you feel it impairs your ability by drowning out critical ambient noises.....car tires screeching, cars honking, loud engine revving (as in a car racing) someone/pedestrian yelling, engine maladies, etc, etc...?

I understand that not using hearing protection can contribute to hearing loss over time while riding, and that wind noise does drown out some ambient noises in itself, however, I am speaking more along the line of do you listen to music while you ride, and do you consider it safe to do so? If so, are you speaking more of lonely open roads, or the congested car honking, road raging city?? Will you only try and listen at a certain volume so that you can still hear some ambient noise?

Kinda of like a catch-22....you are screwed if you don't use hearing protection (hearing loss), and you might be screwed if you do (not hearing a car honking, or some danger).

[RVFR]

I don't. I'll wear ear plugs for long trips down the interstate to aid in the hum drum wind noise.
Have wondered just how much hassle it's worth to install ear phones then make sure they stay put while putting on your helmet? things like that even my ears plugs if they are not in right it drive me crazy. Still Hmm then theres the wind noise in the back ground and the not pay attention syndrome. I know a couple guys up here that use em to help pass the time, it's just that thats why I don't feel I need music, as the bikes sound and whats going on around me is my music. If I wanted to listen to music I'll turn on the stereo at home, funny now that I think about it, I don't really listen to music in the car either.

[junktionfet]

I too wear ear plugs when I know I'm going to be exceeding 50mph or so for extended periods. My helmet seals up pretty well, but the wind noise is still enough to damage your hearing over time. With music, I'd be worried that I'd have to turn it up too much, thus again putting my hearing at risk.

[bear]

I listen all the time. No need to have it loud, sort of like when you are at home alone, you have the radio on, but it is background sounds. Does not distrct anymore than the radio in car distracts, also does not drown out any other noises.

[derstuka]

Anybody try those form fitted ear plugs? I saw them selling them at the bike show in Long Beach. They actually form a mold inside of your ear to make it a perfect custom fit for your ears.

[Ghost 1]

I gota hear my bike. I don't wear ear plugs. I figure after 21 years of riding, and 27 roadside bombs that I've lost all that I'm going to.

[reg71]

I am about 50-50. If I'm not listening to music I like to at least have earplugs. Oh, and I can still hear my bike with music turned up not to mention feel it.

[NeverlosT]

I usually ride with earplugs, especially over long distances (the wind buffeting actually starts to hurt my ears without them). I have tried using little ear-bud form fitted earphones in the helmet, it is tough to keep them in place putting on the helmet, but if you pull it off, it is nice to hear the music, and if you arent making yourself deaf with it, you can still hear lots from the road and bike.

I dig it cause I like riding to music, same reason I listen to music in one ear while snowboarding. It doesn't distract me too much, but just be careful what you listen to, you may be just cruising along one minute and then your favorite heavy metal angry at the world song comes on and all of a sudden you are doing 165 on one wheel on the sidewalk with 7 LEO's in pursuit and news chopper 5 lighting the way!!!

[k9style00]

I wear my ear plugs every day, whether it's a shorter trip or longer trip. Don't get me wrong, if I ride the 1 block to the local grocery store, I don't. But I do ride my bike daily to work through relatively heavy traffic for a 12 mile one way trip. The plugs definately cut down on the high pitch wind noise but still allow enough sound for local traffic. As far as listening to music, I've considered it. But seems that no matter what I try to tell myself, I know they'll be distracting and will interfere with hearing traffic. It might not hide all traffic noises, but the constant change in pitch and tone in music will give you a random effect. I'd rather wear plugs and have a constant effect to drown out the high pitch stuff. You're ears will accomodate to hear the other stuff over a short period of time because your ear drums will adapt. They can't do that if the sound constantly changes as with music.

[Rat]

I have never listened to music while riding and never will.
Nor do I understand anyone that does.
I believe it's one of the most dangerous things one could do.

Why intentionally deprive yourself of a sense that could save your life?

In my honest opinion, I've always considered those that listen to music (headphones) while riding to not be serious riders.
To me it's very much along the lines of riding in shorts and flip-flops.

Make no mistake, I ride hard and go fast, but I approach it in a "professional" manner.
I will push the envelope of my and my bike's abilities, but I will do everything I can to minimize unnecessary risk.
Listening to music is a distraction in any circumstance; I need to be "in the moment" when riding.

For many years I refused to use ear plugs, but have now lost a significant amount of hearing in my right ear (the 'exhaust' side...).
Now I use ear plugs for longer rides at higher speeds, but that typically means out and away from inner city traffic and minimal threats.
Around town and commuting I do not use ear plugs - I want maximum awareness.

[SCraig]

I listen to music frequently if I'm on a relatively long ride. On the interstate, city to city, I like having music. Around town, short hops, I don't fool with it.

I use ear plugs with some of the gel thingys from an old Jabra cell phone headset. Works pretty well once I get my helmet on over them (which can be a nuisance some times).

[Bubba Zanetti]

Tried listening to music once 6 years ago and hated it!!!
I felt it took away form the whole ride. Besides, I can sing Born to be Wild in my helmet!

Have not tried music since then. Only listen to music in the cage.

BZ

[drewl]

I do sometimes. Just depends on the mood. When the riding gets intense, or the boneheads are out in force, the music seems to fade out as I tune into the surroundings. My eyes get hyper scanning sometimes. As far as hearing protection...my pipe is stock Cali-quiet. I hear the cam whine more than the pipe. So the wind is the only factor, and my music cancels a bit of that.

[Kevin_70]

No music for myself, I see it as a safety issue. Long freeway rides I'll use ear plugs.

[derstuka]

Originally Posted by Rat

Why intentionally deprive yourself of a sense that could save your life?

This is what is always on my mind as I consider listening to some tunes. On longer rides I wear ear plugs, but on the short ride to work (10 miles) I don't. Only takes 15 mins to get there and I am too lazy after putting on everything else to get ready.

[Scorpio65]

I always have my music playing and I hear everything that goes on around me. For me its no worse then having your radio on while your driving. As for my ear buds staying in place, I use a JVC brand that has a foam end on it just like norman ear plugs. I found them @ Walmart for $20.00 work great so far.

[VT Viffer]

I'm with Rat and Kevin.

No music. Period.

You need all of your senses to ride a motorcycle. On the freeway is one thing, where you're covering 100's of miles at a clip, but in city traffic is a little much.

Riding a bike takes all of your concentration. If you were fiddling with your iPod or trying to adjust your volume, you could miss something that you would have otherwise noticed (like that car merging into your lane where you are...)

[bear]

Originally Posted by VT Viffer

I'm with Rat and Kevin.

No music. Period.

You need all of your senses to ride a motorcycle. On the freeway is one thing, where you're covering 100's of miles at a clip, but in city traffic is a little much.

Riding a bike takes all of your concentration. If you were fiddling with your iPod or trying to adjust your volume, you could miss something that you would have otherwise noticed (like that car merging into your lane where you are...)

Why would you be adjusting the volume or fiddling with your iPod while moving? How about a little common sense. Once this stuff is adjusted, it doe not require any further adjustment. I think you will find that those that are dead set against it, have never tried it, and those that have tried it, have some common sense.
Wait till you find out my cell phone connects through the same bluetooth connection.... and I can chew gum and walk at the same time as well.

[Rat]

Originally Posted by Scorpio65