It's not the greatest idea to listen to music while riding, 'cause you really want to have all your senses available...  Especially on the street.  But, you can't hear much more than wind at freeway speeds anyway.

So, I guess I'm saying...  You should avoid it when you're just putting around or riding for fun, since some of the fun is the noise you make.  But, if music will keep your attention at its peak while on a long commute, then it might be safer to ride with music.  The trick is getting the volume right...  If it's too loud, it WILL take your mind off the road, you won't be able to hear a damn thing, and it will (IMO) make your ride more dangerous...

I've ridden with music a handful of times...  The problem is that it makes me go faster.

Be really mindful of your behavior while listening to music...  Avoid anything that makes you want to dance, 'cause you probably will...

I agree: when you are riding long distances I think that some music would be entertaining and take your mind off the uncomforable nature of the GS500 seat.

When doing my after-school backroad runs though, I prefer to listen my stock muffler (yeah, I've been meaning to change that)

On the subject of 'stuff that's distracting'...doesn't Dainese make a bluetooth helmet?  Why bother listening to music when you can while away the miles on the phone? 

 

I was trying to figure out how to work my phone with my helmet on...  I figured I could get a hands-free in there, but it would be pretty hard to dial with my gloves on.   

You don't have voice activated dialing?

Not all of us have a "rich man" phone.
We have to use buttons l

Quote from: Badger on January 19, 2006, 03:32:00 PMYou don't have voice activated dialing?

Sorta...  It doesn't work all that well...  I usually don't use it 'cause it takes longer to repeat myself 5 times than it does to just find the number in the list.

I actually bought those 180 earmuff headphone inserts.  Used some velcro and put them in the ear pocket in my helmet.  That way they're not in my ears so they don't really block sound - just create more.  Also, they produce almost no bass and I keep them low.  But that's only for the long highway commuting I do.  When I'm out for fun, I'd rather hear the exhaust.

well as far as the earphone wires showing . i normaly run mine behinde my back then up to the helment not near as noticsable . and in texas your not allowed to have earbuds of music while you drive that i know of . but everyone still does it

Quote from: FearedGS500 on January 19, 2006, 05:31:03 PM
well as far as the earphone wires showing . i normaly run mine behinde my back then up to the helment not near as noticsable . and in texas your not allowed to have earbuds of music while you drive that i know of . but everyone still does it

HB 6907 prohibits the use of earphones and cellphones while operating any vehicle.

However, Texas has no restrictions toward helmet speakers.

It is illegal to have headphones in while driving in Washington, and pretty sure it is illegal while riding a bike. That being said, and I've never tried, but I doubt you'd ever get pulled over for having 1 earphone in. 2 probablly wouldn't matter either. However if you were riding a wheelie up highway 18 (Like the j@ck @$$ I saw behind me yesterday), got pulled over, and had headphones in; I'm sure they'd up the ticket some.
I don't see the problem as long as you don't have it too loud that you can still hear sirens. I mean going above 40 you don't hear much anyways.

I use my Mp3 player while riding. i admit its not the safest thing to do but im not that smart. ... anything by crossfade is good for riding.

plus i constantly watch my mirrors so im not to worried about not knowing whats going on.  Only issue I thought about is coming on base.  The base gaurds won't let me on at all if I had headphones on.  so it looks like im limited to weekend and for fun rides only for headphones.

ah, youth - wasted on the young...

i used to ride with a walkman (dating myself), then helmet speakers - now i just use ear plugs.

Quote from: ginoe on January 19, 2006, 09:19:59 PM
ah, youth - wasted on the young...

i used to ride with a walkman (dating myself), then helmet speakers - now i just use ear plugs.

well im not really "youth" but i think it's fine to listen to music if you want to.

I know someone who rode for a year with music. Then he stoped. (because his wires turned to mush from the rain and sun.. well more rain then sun.) He says he doesn't miss it and said that he is probably more aware.

Does anyone else wear earplugs when they ride?  I started this last riding season (yay Chicago) and have found a huge difference in my level of fatigue.  I can literally ride for hours longer with plugs in than I could without; yes, I always wear a helmet.    If you're gonna ride with an iPod or whatnot, get the sound reducing earbuds, I can guarantee you'll appreciate the difference. 

Yes I do too. Must wear them while on the HARLEY with the evel drag pipes [ they keep the moose in the wood line ] for sure. Used them last summer on the GS 500 on my trip to NOVA SCOTIA  reduced fatigue quite a bit . My fat ass did not find the seat too bad for the long haul even my [ hemroid ] did not act up too much. [ girl  on the 250 REBEL  that I rode with ]

Quote from: SmartDrug on January 20, 2006, 02:36:14 AMget the sound reducing earbuds

How much did they run you?  Link?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Koss-Sparkplug-Portable-Stereophone-SPARKPLUG-/sem/rpsm/oid/123481/catOid/-13225/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

These are awsome, like having both earplugs and music buds. You can even make them better by getting some better earplugs, cutting a hole and slipping them onto the koss heads. (They have a funnel that directs the music through the ear plug part)

* Thoes are white.. I don't like white. Mine are normal black. I'm sure they are out there in black still if you want them that way

** The only problem is, they are more earplug then earbug. Ie, you have to use two hands and pull your ear back and roll the ear plug part. (Untill you get use to them, and can jab them down there.. )

*** Jfyi, they are not as slient as ear plugs themselves, but much much better then earbuds. I'm sure more expensive ones will be better, but $100 better? I don't think so.