Music on a ride?

[psycledelic]

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 will buy that.

[hyphen]

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.

[Gimpy]

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?   

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

[arai_speed]

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.

[Ducrider07]

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

[zenjim]

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]

[mossimo]

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 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

[Spider]

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!

[Carman]

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.

[teddy037.2]

I don't use anything...

the bike makes plenty of music for me 

[NekkedChic]

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!

[brad the lad]

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.

[Statler]

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.

[mbalmer]

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.

[Spider]

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!