Listening to Tunes while you ride!

[ducati_steve]

If I'm going a long highway stretch I'll bust out the iPod.  I like the Shure's because they sound good and block the wind, but they tend to fall out (especially when putting the helmet on).  So now I'm using some cheap Sony buds that have a plastic loop that goes over the ear.

[MaxPower]

Ok, I know its not legal in most states.  I still do it and I'm kind of addicted to it.  I use Shure SE210 inner-ear headphones -- they act as both ear plugs and headphones and totally kick ass.  The seal it creates in your ears isolates the sound and the bass.  Best sounding headphones that I have ever used and totally worth the ~$150.  I've head a number of headphones from Shure in the past and would highly recommend.

Maybe we should discuss the dangers in using headphones while riding and also maybe some people can say what they use.

I actually don't feel any more in danger with them in because I can't hear SHAT anyway due to wind noise and my loud ass termis.  For long rides -- my headphones are a must! wt:

I was looking at the Shure's last weekend, but thought they might stick out too much to fit comfortably in my helmet.  Sounds like you have no issues, though?

I always listen while I ride but wanted to be able to pause at stop lights etc., so I bought a Monster iEZClick bluetooth remote.  It's an awesome design, perfectly suited for on the bike but it doesn't work worth crap and is more of a hazard, for example, pressing the volume up button once results in the volume ramping up to maximum;  a real treat when you got your helmet on and can't get your headphones out of your ear.

[optiato]

I sing in my helmet.  Some are actual songs, some are songs made up about things I see as I ride or what's I would like to do to the inattentive driver that just made an asshat move in front of me ~

JM

Wow. Just wow.

I thought I was crazy, but... you know what, maybe we both are crazy - I do the same thing.

Yep, add me to the list...  sometimes I wonder if they can hear me as I finally get to pass them after they ruined a good set of twisties.  My bike's not quiet, but I can be pretty loud.

[optiato]

In reference to the actual thread... if it's a ride more than around the block I usually have my MP3 player strapped to my arm.

+1 on the skullcandy ear buds, they fit pretty well and are fairly loud.

[c_rex]

Long term riding without earplugs will cause hearing loss.
Long term use of an iPod (anywhere) at excessive volume, will cause hearing loss.

WHAT!?

Whatever works for you :wine

Amen to that!   wt:

[TCK!]

Personally I'll listen to some tunes if I'm doing a commute to work, but any sort of riding that I'm doing for "sport" I always stick to my ear plugs.

[ltnuke]

I was looking at the Shure's last weekend, but thought they might stick out too much to fit comfortably in my helmet.  Sounds like you have no issues, though?

I have no issues with the Shure's.  They are made to be worn by wrapping around the back of the ear and stay pretty in place.  Once in a while I wil lhave trouble with them falling off my ear when i put my helmet on but this can usually be corrected by putting the helmet more "straightly" on your head.  Since they fit inside your ear they stick there once you get 'em in.

My biggest fear when using headphoens while riding is forgetting to put the "hold" on the mp3 player and thus the potential to accidentally up the volume by bumping it.  If that happened you could either #1, damage your hearing permanently or #2 wreck your bike trying to get to the mp3 player to turn down the sound.

[mbalmer]

I sing in my helmet.  Some are actual songs, some are songs made up about things I see as I ride or what's I would like to do to the inattentive driver that just made an asshat move in front of me ~

JM

I just talk to myself a lot in my helmet. It keeps the other voices (in my head) away.

[corey]

I sing this to myself as loud as i make the beast with two backsing can. Especially at red lights with the visor up:



People crack the make the beast with two backs up when i do it through the chatterbox. 

[duckwrench13]

It all depends on the ride. If I'm riding in town (San Francisco), or a group ride, then it's just ear plugs. If I'm out on a ride by myself, then I have my iPod. For commuting, the tunes are a must!! An hour down the 101...mind-numbingly straight and boring...the tunes are a huge bonus. If I'm going to do a big road trip, then the auxiliary battery pack comes along too! mo:t:

I use the Shure sound E2C ear buds. They are comfortable, decently priced at $100, and durable as all hell!! I had a pair for a year, then got deployed to Afghanistan with them, and they finally gave up the ghost about 3 months after getting back. My newest pair is still going strong! Sound quality is fantastic, and you can keep them at a decent volume that allows you to hear traffic, etc, and still clearly hear your music. wt:

Ultimately, it's an individual choice. We can argue the pros and cons of it all day. While it is a safety issue, so is boredom on the road. And, depending on your musical selection, it can lead to an increased chance of speeding tickets. :leo:  I figured if I'd switched to Mozart for the commute it would keep me a bit more mellow. I just wound up peacefully speeding along! :e:v ;:|

[Old-Duckman]

I listen to music at time via the MP3 player in the Zumo GPS. I use foam earplugs to block wind noise and helmet speakers, set as loud as possible, to be able to hear with the plugs in.

I find and "ear bud" very uncomfortable even after a short time and to have them being pushed into my ears by the helmet...I know I wouldn't be able to handle that.

My method works for me but some songs just don't have enough volume to overcome the ear plugs.

[Manny]

I also use the Shures. Great sound quality and great noise isolation as well. I listen to music on the highway at the same volume as in my garage.

I do get distracted by music for aggressive canyon riding. Then I just use earplugs. But music is great for commuting and traveling.

[James.M]

I use a apple shuffle with some $15 dollar sony earbud headphones... does the job great...

[jclin]

My biggest fear when using headphoens while riding is forgetting to put the "hold" on the mp3 player and thus the potential to accidentally up the volume by bumping it.  If that happened you could either #1, damage your hearing permanently or #2 wreck your bike trying to get to the mp3 player to turn down the sound.

Ipods have a volume limiter that you can set.

I have Shure e2c's and they work perfect. I love it especially on my ride to work (25 min). Great thing about shure is that I had a problem with the cord during the two year warranty, and they sent me brand new replacements. That's what you call standing by your product.

[DCXCV]

I just rigged up my lid with an extra set of phones stuck in an open section of the padding.  I can hear the music at a low level, but still hear the world.  I don't personally like earphones in my ear for long periods and at any rate can't get mine to stay in consistently when putting the lid on.  This way they're always in and if I don't want to deal with tunes I can just tuck the chord up under the padding.