Who listens to music when they ride??

Pretty much any ride farther then the coffee shop I either have my ear plugs in or the iPod. On the days I ride to work, I don't usually bust out the iPod, i just ear plug it. Anything longer then my 1 hour ride to work, I bust out the pod for sure.

Ditch the ipod earbuds and get a set of Shure's. Mine are the E3g's. Well worth the money, mine had the bike-to-bike comm, ipod and radar detector piped through them on my Cali to NY ride this summer. The best performing and most tolerable, ear buds I've ever worn


They block almost as much sound as my custom molded ear plugs, which really helps with fatigue. I can still hear myself, and other vehicles and the overall sound reduction allows me to listen to the ipod at a comfortable, reduced volume. Not much more then if I was on the beach reading a book. They're not at all a distraction from what's happening on the road around me.

 

Why is it that many folks posted opinions, but I'm the only one getting flamed & picked apart??
S'ok, I can take it.

Yes I do "ride hard".
Your tone is condescending. Stop.
You are not qualified to patronize me or condescend to me.
I'm not going to get into an online pissing contest, but I will suffice to say that I am by all accounts experienced, skilled and fast, and yes, mature.

By the way, it's: "you're", and "out there".

To answer your question, I think it's stupid to participate in a potentially dangerous endeavor and not mitigate all potential risks as much as possible.
I take certain risks by occasionally "pushing the envelope" (an Aviator/Fighter Pilot term) of my own skills, but do so in a careful, considered and incremental fashion in order to minimize the risks as much as possible (like so many other inherently risky activities, it's simply not possible to remove all potential risk).
The result is greater skills and abilities, which then allow me to be even safer by creating a larger margin of error/safety between "impending doom", and my ability to safely manage and resolve the crisis - I'm sure some of your pilot friends will relate to that concept.
Pilots will "fly a plane into the ground" (at least those without ejection seats), by constantly adapting to the ever-changing situation and trying recover control and fly the airplane out of the situation, until such point as they impact the ground, mountainside, etc.
Greater skill set and experience provide better capability to successfully do just that.

FWIW, I still think it's a bad idea to ride a motorcycle while listening to music.
Just my opinion is all...
Back to my original statement: Why deliberately deprive yourself of something that may keep you safer?

I suppose a corollary might be a Naval Fighter Jock that decides to go into a combat/dogfight situation without a pressure suit because he feels more macho without it, but is certain he can handle it...

How many Fighter Pilots do you suppose fly active combat missions with music in their headsets, while needing to focus on such mundane matters as an enemy trying to shoot them down, flight controllers, wingmen/other squadron members' radio traffic, cockpit warnings, alarms, various crucial instruments, etc?
With the myriad life-threatening hazards, would it make sense to listen to music as well?

Now, I know I took the above comparison to the extreme to illustrate my point.
Control that which you can control, and minimize distraction from those potential threats which you cannot control.

It's been proven that cell phones, text-messaging, fiddling with radios, etc. are all driving distractions which increase the likelihood of an accident.
I believe that riding a motorcycle requires greater diligence than driving a car, for reasons previously described.

I have no doubt that jet noises and such on a flight deck are frequently WELL above 130db, and that hearing can be instantly and permanently damaged.
I know that it's absolutely MANDATORY to wear hearing protection for this reason.
To even suggest that the ambient noise level of the two environments of an active, busy carrier flight deck vs a motorcycle engine, exhaust and traffic noise at lowish speeds, are even remotely comparable is absurd.
I've spent a fair bit of time on an active flightline myself, there is a vast difference between the two.

My "statistic" comment was in response to bear, who implied that he might use a cell phone while riding, even perhaps in jest.
My reply was meant to shed light on how truly stupid that would be, although somewhat sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek.
I am also an avid bicyclist, and I've seen other cyclists using a cell phone while riding in dense urban traffic - another potential statistic; I really don't care if that offends them. Some things are just plain asinine and need to be addressed as such.

 

I do agree in part with you guys that are against listening to music. If it is too loud it would be distracting, But. I previously had a VTR1000 Firestorm with loud pipes, and on long rides it would really get to me after a while. I did on occasion listen to music and would have only been a soft tune in the back ground. deffinately no where near as loud as the bike noise was. This I found helped heaps.I deffinately don't wear fip flops on my bike but I don't wear full leathers to go to the locals shops either. Its all Common sense isn't it.

 

After reading your initial post, I'd have to say that's because your response seemed very closed minded and completely unwilling to hear an alternate opinion on the subject.

That's my take. Not flaming but that was my perception.

 

Everyone:

Rat's making alot of good points folks. And many of you are sitting their giving the classic American attitude of "Not me! I am fine and totally focused on the road when listening to music and riding"

Really? That's the same shit I hear as an MSF Coach when cell phones come up in class and we always get people who say "I'm fine when I talk and drive, what's the big deal"?

What's the big deal? The big deal is you obviously are spending some amount of concentration on talkng and not the road. Now I understand some spend more than others, but the point is still you spend SOMETHING when even that little bit should be on the more important task at hand.

In addition, what about all the Noobs who read this thread. Remember when you first learned to ride how much concentration you needed? many of us perform the tasks associated with riding with ease now, but if music was thrown in your ears then how well would you have done?

I close with this, I am not trying to be smart or an ass. What I am trying to do is enlighten many of you on the logic you have presented when it comes to listening to music and riding a motorcycle. You may think it sharpens your focus but your perception and reality can be two different things. The only way to know for sure if music helps your concentration is have someone observe your behaviors when listening to and not listening to music. This challenge is easy. For those of you who do track days or race. Have your laps timed with music and without and see what the numbers produce. Also, have good friends follow you around on the street and see how alert you appear to be with music and without. Get feedback from them. You may be suprised...just like the people in class when I ask "Who has witnessed anyone perfomring the task of driing and talking on a cell phone well?"

BZ

 

Been there and done that many times both on the track and off of it. No ill-effects whatsoever. We're talking about background noise here which would normally be wind noise even with earplugs. I don't know, we would argue this all day long I think. We all know what works for us individually. All I know is I've ridden many miles, many laps and many trips. In no situation have I ever thought music caused a loss of concentration or focus. Fatigue yes. Music no.

Ride on....

 

What appears to have been missed here is that there a quite a few motorcycles that come from the factory with music systems installed. I could change radio channels, volume and cd disk and track all from the handlebars of my BMW. Then there are Goldwings, FLHTC's, Ventures, VTX,s etc, etc.
Some have speakers, most have headphone connections for music, CB, Chatterbox, etc.
(Just try to ride slow to Focus 'Hocus Pocus' playing! )

I have XM on my VFR. It is a sportsTOURING motorcycle. I like to tour.

 

I can't hear the voices in my head if I have headphones on. :wink:

I've not tried riding with music / headphones.

Has anyone ridden much with a bluetooth headset for thier phone?
A phone seems like it would be many times more distracting than Blue Suede's "Hooked on a Feeling" while riding. (or even EddieVT playing a cover of said song on his new banjo)

 

Guess my 40 years of riding makes me a newbe. Funny, I am also one of those that has not dropped or crashed as well. How can that be?
Tell me something, does the musac system in the mall distract you? How about the elevator, do you find yourself forgetting to press the button, or getting run over by other people around you because you are distracted by the background music? If you read my post you will see I mentioned it is background music I listen to, not blaring music. Perhaps those "experienced" eyes did not understand that part.

 

I don't listen to music, just my thing, I like to be very aware of my surroundings, lots of DF drivers where I'm at. Besides, I just LUV the exhaust sound and the motor revs , riding wouldn't be anywhere near as fun without the noise, think of "the blower scene" in Mad Max, now that's music .JMSUO.

 

My molded in ear plugs cost 75 dollars. I got them from a vendor at the race track last winter cause I was tired of foamies. Been a great investment. Wear 'em all the time both riding and at work. I'm going to have them make a new set with spkrs in 'em so I can listen to my new MyFi at work.

 

Thought I would throw in a comment in support of Rat. I don't listen to music when I ride. I do use ear plugs to control wind noise but I can still hear traffic fine. I like to get into music when I listen and I don't find it a good combination with riding. Personally I find cell phones, music etc a distraction. To me distractions and bikes, and cars for that matter, are a bad combination. Having said that I can see certain situations where it might be OK. Hours on the prairies is one. The boredom can send you to sleep so if music helps keep you awake that may be a good thing.

The arguement that some bikes come fitted with stereos therefore it is OK, to me, is not valid. Manufacturers provide what people want and will pay for not necessarily what is good, cell phone bluetooth in cars for example.

 

intake suck, gearwhine, and exhaust roar is all the music i need......

 

Deer Suck! They don't honk, yell, lock up the brakes or give any warning what so ever. iPod or not... VFR v/s 8pt Buck, you lose.:smile:


I have debated listening to music while I ride but my bike is so loud I don't think I'd hear it anyway. Plus I prefer the noise of the machine and wind. Hell, my hearing is shot any how from listening to the 148dB stereo in my car. You think your bike is loud you should hear the 16- 8" subs mounted in the wall behind the front seats of my bird w/3000 watts of Rock and Roll pumping thru them. If I want music I drive my Bird and if I want fun I mostly ride the bike.

 

I understand, Ive witnessed some pure stupidity from riders i know, and many i do not...I agree with the gut instinct. I think that feeling contributes to survival in some cases, so "spot-on" to that.

-not to encourage a dangerous situation, but truly, for me music intinsifeid my riding enjoyability, and i do hope the car i didnt hear doesnt hit me!

-nevertheless, Two thumbs up for Music while Upright!

 

You got that right, just because a new rider can go buy a 'busa' for example does not mean he should,,,

-if it isn't safe for you...DON'T DO IT> this should apply to all areas of riding on the street.

 

Maybe also that somehow listening to music is more of a danger and risk of a becoming a future statisic than his pushing the envelope "of his bike and his ability".
We all try to minimize our risks, but we all know we enjoy a potentially dangerous activity. Some like to "push it hard through a sweeper", some like to listen to music while they ride, while each may add a risk, it's a risk we each choose for ourself.