Listening to Tunes while you ride!

[caffeinejunkee]

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.

+1 that was my biggest issue with my Shure's. I found that the $15 Skull Candy buds actually limit external noise better than my Shure's, do not fall out when putting on my lid, and stay in place during the ride. Granted, the sound "quality" is much better with the Shure's.

[Boxomatic]

I almost always listen to music when I ride.  And I only sing when the RPM's are over 3k so that I'm sure no one else can hear me. 


I've tried a whole bunch earphones - from $5 to $95..  The best I've found is the setup I'm using right now.  I have the $35 set of earphones from helmetaudio.com.  They fit perfectly into the padding in my Arai and I've actually put the helmet fabric over the earphone to hold them in place.  I have CF Arrows and I actually can't hear the music at all, even with the volume all the way up, unless I also wear earplugs.  I've been riding with the music and earplugs rated at NRR 28.  The setup works perfect - I can hear the music, the exhaust, and I'm still not going to go deaf.

[DucatiRider_MN]

I recently purchased a zumo 550 gps which has a mp3 player built-in. The zumo speaks the directions and i wanted to use that feature so i dont have to take my eyes off the road very often. To take full advantage of the zumo, I wanted to get a pair of headphones that were comfortable, would block outside noise and had decent sound quality.

I did some research and decided that i wanted to try using custom ear phones.  I decided on a model made by westone called the cr-1's. Supposively they have good sound quality and also provide 20-25dB of attenuation. I just got the impressions made this week so i havent had an opportunity to test them. I expect to see them in 2-3 weeks. When i get a chance to test them i will write a review. I dont have the final bill, but i believe the whole package will be just shy of $200.

[R_usty]

I am in Australia and I can't believe that it is illegal in some US states for you to listen to music - scary  .

I have a Starcom system on my bike and have custom moulded ear plugs that reduce noise by between 30-35db. In the system I have a radio, MP3 player and my phone automatically links to the system via Bluetooth (my phone has TomTom loaded too so I can use it to get me places as well). So whenever I start the bike if I have my phone in a pocket it is linked.

When I go on rides with a bunch of other Duc riders I also add in a portable CB and we chat over that - helps us when the leaders spot a  so that we can all remain safe.

I listen to Music when commuting but generally don't when really going hard.

Ciao,  R_usty

[Tangerine Dream]

I typically use ear plugs when riding for any length of time. The few occasions that I have used the IPod on a trip were when I was going to be non stop for an hour without any other riders. It's not that I object to listening to tunes, I didn't find myself distracted at all. It's just that when riding with others we tend to stop frequently, and that means taking the helmet off, stoping the tunes, making sure the ear buds are in properly and don't get pulled out as the helmet goes back on, etc.

Granted, this would all be a lot easier if I didn't wear full gear every time I was on the bike. But you only have to go down once to appreciate it. 

[ltnuke]

I am in Australia and I can't believe that it is illegal in some US states for you to listen to music - scary  .

I have a Starcom system on my bike and have custom moulded ear plugs that reduce noise by between 30-35db. In the system I have a radio, MP3 player and my phone automatically links to the system via Bluetooth (my phone has TomTom loaded too so I can use it to get me places as well). So whenever I start the bike if I have my phone in a pocket it is linked.

When I go on rides with a bunch of other Duc riders I also add in a portable CB and we chat over that - helps us when the leaders spot a  so that we can all remain safe.

I listen to Music when commuting but generally don't when really going hard.

Ciao,  R_usty

I checked out the website for Starcom.  Pretty amazing stuff, are there any other systems like it out there?  R_usty, maybe you could write a review of the system some day?  It might be pretty useful info.

[Duc L'Smart]

Music on longer trips is a MUST
I've got the Etymotic (sp?) E-6 or something or 'nuther. Great sound, block out a bunch of noise, comfy 
Plain ol' earplugs around town...

[Cotton]

I listen to music for long commutes as well.  The only concern I have is that I tend to turn the volume up a lot more than normal to compensate for the wind noise.  I hope I don't go deaf from this. 

[jclin]

I listen to music for long commutes as well.  The only concern I have is that I tend to turn the volume up a lot more than normal to compensate for the wind noise.  I hope I don't go deaf from this. 

Yeah, that doesn't sound too good for you. Are you tired after your ride? It's weird how noise makes you exhausted.

Maybe you should get some noise isolation earphones.

[Duc L'Smart]

I don't turn mine up louder than normal. The Etymotics do a great job of blocking out the noise 

[Pedro-bot]

I use 'em myself for longer commutes.

I listen to music for long commutes as well.  The only concern I have is that I tend to turn the volume up a lot more than normal to compensate for the wind noise.  I hope I don't go deaf from this. 

Huh? What was that again? Sorry, having a little trouble hearing today. 

[Wonked]

I have used a pair of Shure EC2's for some time now. I wear a Shoei RF1000 which fits very well, but makes any kind of on ear/in ear headphone system difficult (it is tight on my head). So, I ordered an autocom helmet speaker system, which purports to be much easier on your ears (they recommend wearing earplugs too). I am getting it this week, riding with it this weekend, and will post back this time next week.

[James.M]

I use 'em myself for longer commutes.


Huh? What was that again? Sorry, having a little trouble hearing today. 

I see how reading and hearing can get you confused sometimes...

I see what you did there..