Ducati Monster Forum

Any thoughts from the board pro/con on music during a commute/ride.  Seems like the music could unhinge my brain so I can get out of my own way - get in the zone and find a rythm. 

Othertimes, it seems like any additional sense (hearing) is another tool to pick up on my surroundings in the case of lunatic cage drivers.  And, could it be distracting at times - memories brought up, images, etc.

If you do music, thoughts on tracks, equipment (earbuds) etc.

Thanks!

Music is nice as long as you keep it mellow as not to influence your mood.  I believe their is laws against it though...

I bought a set-up from helmetaudio.com to go in my helmet.  Although nice idea the speakers where way to quiet to hear unless you where at a stop with no traffic around, eventually they crapped out completely and I just havn't looked into a better set-up for the helmet.  I have done with earbuds and a MP3 player and it works great for short times, ears get sore after a while though.  I believe their was a right up in motorcyclist magazine for some custom fit units, cost around $300 though.

Overall, music=sweet just make ensure you can still hear whats going on around you. ;)

To asnwer your question, 2 things must be possible.

1) Having a pair of headphones/earbuds that fit in your ears without discomfort and having to struggle to put your helmet on with them.
2) Being able to hear the music over your exhaust, or lack there of.

If both are possible then i would say go for it just +1 to watch out what your listening to. I wish there were comfortable headphones that blocked out as much noise as earplugs, since those are mmy perfered ear stuffers right now.

http://shop.v-moda.com/p-16-bass-freq.aspx

The best headphones I've ever owned.  They block out noise without music on almost as good as disposable earplugs, and once you turn the music on you can't hear anything but the music. They also sound amazing. They fit great in my ear and don't have any problems with them under my helmet.  Only complaint is that one headphone crapped out on me which seems to be an issue with these, but they are currently being replaced under the one year warranty they come with, so no big deal.  Couldn't ask for a better set of earbuds to use during riding.  Did I mention they are only $40.00?   [thumbsup]

Sounds like a trend with the left ear from the reviews on them.  Can't beat a warranty to cover it though.  [thumbsup]

i use a set of shures with the yellow foamie ear pads. they work and seal just like "regular" earplugs so you don't have to crank your music up to hear it.

i only wear 'em on freeway jaunts, never in the twisties.

IE: they reduce ambient noise ;)

It's impossible for me to ignore background music.  I'm very easily distracted by it.  I also really enjoy silence, or at least the absense of extraneous sounds.  I often prefer not to listen to music in the car, and would NEVER on the bike.

I'm the exact opposite, music helps me concentrate. I'm mildly ADD, and music helps me block out the little things that don't matter and stay alert so I can pay more attention to the things that do matter.

I've never tried music while riding, but when I use music when I'm driving a cage it makes me a more aggressive driver.  Not a dangerous driver, but I'm more defensive/offensive and it helps me multitask.  I've got a pair of Bose earbuds that I bought for $90.  These have the best sound quality of any in-ear headphones that I've ever used, but I don't know how well they would fit with a helmet.

I recently picked up a pair of Shure SE210A's ($150) which I highly recommend.  Good sound isolation (music doesn't need to be loud at all, doubles as earplugs) and the way they fit in your ear, the helmet padding actually helps keep them in place.

I believe in CA it's illegal to ride with headphones in both ears... but I do it anyway. I try to avoid upbeat tunes since they make me go faster and ride a bit more recklessly. I've got a couple different helmet speaker sets but I'm saving up for a new helmet to put them in (X-11 has practically no ear pockets).

I've ridden with the I-Pod Shuffle. I don't think if I listen to Rage Against The Machine I'll ride like a bandit all of a sudden. I like listening to corny house/dance tunes. I'm not into fist-pumper music but Tiesto (a DJ) is good stuff to cruise to. I also like Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, anything jazzy, or hip hop. I think there is a law about having two earbuds in. I do truly believe you are legally allowed to ride with one in. No recommendations on ear plugs, I have tiny ears so the I-Pod ones work ok.

cg

i love me some daft punk when i ride.

nice.  like it.

always good driving music, especially the live sets.

I used to believe that music while riding would be distracting.  Until I caught myself dicing up the local back roads while singing the theme song to "Dora the Explorer" (thx to my 2 1/2 year old).  I must have been singing it for a while because I had added some pretty nasty lyrics that made it kind of amusing.  Anyway, my MP3 player and a healthy dose of System of a Down makes for a much better PG-13 ride.  It has to be legal because my jacket has a MP3 player pocket.  I am sure that the [leo] will buy that.

yeah, when i'm on a boring ride and i don't have any music on me i catch myself singing to myself or talking to myself.  sounds kinda crazy but i do the same thing when i'm in my car alone with no music.

+1 on this.  I'm on to my third set of these. 

My buddy swears that the Shures are the best thing since sliced bread.  I tried riding w/music the other day and the music itself wasn't bad...it was the crappy iPod headdphones that were pinching my ear and distracting the hell out of me.  I went out and got some Skulls earphones that go into the ear canal.  I haven't tried them out yet but I must say...the music wasn't bad for me.  I didn't mind it at all, if anything it seemed to relax me.

+1 on the Shures...I don't think I'll ever go back and they don't require much volume.

It's illeagal but I do it anyway. I didn't for years, but I had a long jaunt up the 5 (LA to Sac) a few years back, tried it, and now wear them when I commute every day (50 miles). I find that it relaxes me. I'm a musician and engineer though, so that's probably a big part of it. I use an iPod usually on shuffle in my pants pocket. I have over 9000 tunes so it could be Rage against the Machine, Miles Davis, Schubert, or Zap Mama. I dig that. I use the Sony ear buds that are like $30. I've tried about 10 different brands but always come back to these. They block out enough wind noise, the music sounds good (decent bass if they're in deep enough) and I can still hear what's going on outside. It's a serious enough thing for me that I'm planning to get the ones that are molded to your ear canal. A word of warning. If you buy earplugs - try them on and then put your helmet on and take it off. I had several brands that sounded good but hurt like Hell when I took off my helmet.

Cool upgrade: check out the iJet if you use an iPod. It has a small device that attaches to the base of the iPod and a small remote the size of garage door opener. I used industrial strength velcro and put the remote on top of the left brake fluid resevoir. It's velcro so I can remove it when I get on/ off. This remote allows you to adjust volume, pause and skip songs. Indispensible when you are on long hauls.

 [moto]

+1 on the pain felt when removing your helmet with the stock ear phones...  That was the only time I walked into the post office with my helmet still on :-\

I always listen to music on my bicycle (where you can actually listen to cars and use your hearing a lot more - but having the music down low and the buds in stops the wind howling in so I think it's just as safe).

On the bike I didn't listen to music but used earplugs - I found my brain wanted to fill the silence with conversation or music anyway!

So yesterday used the iPod which was OK...will try my Shure's later.

Chemical Brothers: Electronic Battle Weapon (1 to 10) series - worked well!

I've tried several models.  So far the Etymotic ER-6i's are the best.  Small enough to fit all the way in your ear, I travel overseas every month and sleep with these in for several 10 hour plane rides.  You can find them for about $69 on the web.  I've tried higher priced ones thinking they'd be better but they weren't.  These things are incredible and I tell everyone about them.  I wear mine on long rides,  but not commuting, away from traffic, I don't care about the legalities but you need to wear some kind of protection, I like the sound of the bike but I like my hearing too.

I don't use anything...

the bike makes plenty of music for me  ;D

I am still a NOOB since April this year and would NEVER agree to music while riding-even gave veteran-rider hubbi shi-ite for it LOL...then got to nearly 2000 miles on bike and decided to try it myself. OMG! SO glad I did it, tho really smart I DID wait for skills to be ready also......  The first ride was AMAZING! Finally found myself able to RELAX-the main thing missing for me at this point....and I wuz finally rocking at better speeds, rolling thru corners MUCH better and SMOOTHER... 
I use IPod Nano-lil older one by couple years-clip it in it's cover/holder on left jeans pocket and am even able to manage controls WITH gloves-so can skip songs, pause and even stop music when I need to.  I use headphones with loops over ears-seem to stay in place much better, tho bit achy after bit, but minor adjustments usually help-But I AM looking for MOST comfie earbuds etc still and will check out all ur advice-thanks! 

For ME, music is a HELP, and I actually find myself looking around MUCH more when listening to music, NOT distracted, better focused AND relaxed-perfect combo for me....but do not recommend for all.
Ride Safe All!

I love my skulls (earphones) and angry alternative to Neil Young does it for choices.  I use a little case that straps my ipod to my arm (think it was designed for jogging ) then just feed the cable up my sleeve and into the helmet at the front) keeps my ADD (not diagnosed) in check helps me focus.

When I used a bike for long weekend commutes on the highway in FL (flat...straight) I listened to music while riding.  Haven't done it since 1995 and don't plan to do it again.

I'm kind of weird because I would rather listen to talk radio while riding. The problem is that there is a lot of interference with the MC throttle and the AM radio. Any suggestions to getting rid of this problem? I have a Pogo player.

The Shures worked even better - there is a yellow ear block that you can use, blocks out wind noise, crisp music and still here the engine noise.

Great combo!

 [thumbsup]

I have this: http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3714 (http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3714) strapped to my handle bar clamp.  Works great, fairly weather proof and easy enough to hit the buttons with my gloves on. 

Guys,

Well here in Japan...

I am the only one to think this is really dangerous, being unable to hear anything going on around you.

They recently made riding bycyles in Tokyo illegal with iPods because so many people didn't hear cars and got mashed.

I assume it is the same for motorcycles in built up areas [moto]

I can see where music would be hazardous in cities and busy areas where you always have to be looking in every direction and listening for vehicles all the time, but in rural towns and highways where there isn't much traffic, I don't see it being a big issue.

onecall.cam had the iEZClick on clearance so I had to pick one up.  The only two occasions when it feels safe to click it is at stops (using right hand) and long straight portions of road (using left hand.)

So far I dig it.. since usually I just put my iPhone on random and prior to this had no way to skip past the not so great songs.


Pic:

(http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1382/img1510xs3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1382/img1510xs3.57f3a309aa.jpg) (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=166&i=img1510xs3.jpg)

you can hear cars over your exhaust? with your proper fitting full-face helmet on your head?

you sure you're riding a Ducati?

 [laugh]