So, what do you think?  My helmet is now broken in which means the pads are loose enough that quite a bit of wind noise is audible.  Is listening to my mp3 player on headphones advisable?

Definitely NOT a good idea to try to drown out wind noise with music (more noise).  You need those ears for other things while riding.

If you must listen to music, one earpiece only and only on the highway.  It is FAR too distracting to listen to music while in traffic or passing through intersections. 

Also keep in mind that it is flat out illegal in some states to listen to music while riding.

I sing in my helmet.  I never knew how bad I was.

Thanks, I'll have to check state law after I get more feedback here.  Thought I'd check and see if it was a good or bad idea first.  Just because there isn't a law against something doesn't make it advisable to do

I didn't mention that of my 15 mile commute, there's 1 intersection, and all but about 1 mile of it is highway.

Also the wind noise is so bad, yesterday I had 2 cop cars behind me and I couldn't hear their sirens.  I check my rear mirrors every 15 seconds or so, but I couldn't hear them until i pulled over and they were next to me.

woah thats some serious noise what kind of helmet do you have?  Mine's fairly bad but I can hear sirens when I'm riding hell I hear the engines of most of the cars around me.

About listening to music while riding I know some people do it but I think it would be distracting for around town riding.  And if your like me ( I hear some music I like and I start driving way to fast ) it's not advisable.

Get earplugs...I got some that are also headphones. With the music on (pretty low volume) I can hear cars and traffic noise. With the music off I can hear people next to me talking. They are great for cutting the wind and engine noise to a sane level.

EDIT TO ADD: Although I do ride with music, for me it's just something in the background. I am not concentrating on the music, the road and cagers around me have my attention. So if you are the type to really "lose" yourself in the music I would not advise riding with music. 

I gave it a shot today actually. I had the music on pretty low, and only in one ear. I could still hear traffic and everything else. Wouldn't put it too loud. I just wish I had a big harley with speakers for those long rides.

recently did the mp3 thing couldn't hear music over 45mph even turned all the way up,that was w/ regular earbuds.i just bought some skullcandy noise cancelling earphones that have silicone plugs and go in your ear(come w/ 3 sizes for a good fit i have never heard any that sound this good these things rock hard and even have bass good bass.$20 on ebay i got 2 pair and a $2.50 splitter @ walmart for the wife while two up.as afar as safety goes i don't see a seroius issue as long as you aren't fiddling w/ the mp3 while riding i just turn mine on and let it rock n roll.now on the other hand i have ridden with earplugs for some time(wont ride without seems to reduce noises that aren't crucial allowing me to actually tune into the bike better than no earplugs .the mp3 is similar only the rythym of the music kinda helps my riding flow somehow.

I've never tried listening to music while riding, sure it wouldn't be that bad if you are cruising with the volume low. I tend to sing or make drum beats while I ride.

  You missed the a spot on the poll for yeah sometimes.  I listen to the mp3 player on the longer joy rides out side of the city, and on my 50 mile ride to and from work when I know theres no chance of rain.  And yes at a low volume. 

I really like to listen to AM talk radio while driving but never have while riding since you lose signals and would have to adjust stations and all. Something to listen to keeps my mind on the ball. For late night driving I love Coast to Coast AM.

-ash

I ride occasionally and listen to my mp3 player. Over longer distances i would definatly do it because eventually even riding would get dismal on the motorway (i know its unthinkable isnt it), on short journeys though i just can't be arsed its just something to faf around with.

Also on a similar point - isn't it damn right hypocritical to say bikers can't listen to music in their helmet when car drivers can in their cars - regardless of how loud it is. Just check your mirrors is what i say then it doesn't make much of a different. It's like over here in england, some petrol station companies are not allowing bikers to fill their bikes up unless they remove their helmet because they say they are trying to hide their identity and could steal fuel without paying.
A bike mag (newspaper thingy) called MCN over here did a test. Same guy went to a known petrol stations which does this. And was not allowed to fill up until he removed his helmet so he could be seen. The same guy went back in the car with a baseball cap and a hoody (typical yob over here who might steal fuel) and he had the hoody draw string hood pulld tight so his face was impossible to see and they let him fill up. A local police chief said its rediculous and hypocritical they are making bikers do this. Motorcyclists a) can't steal enough petrol to cause any problem, in comparison to a car. b) the statistics prove car drivers steal petrol more. and c) motorcyclists ride for pleasure - they are the least likely to ruin a good day out by deliberatly stealing petrol.

i love my mp3 player.
got it from waly world for 49$ and is water/extreeme rain proof. (ask how i know)
plugs or music its the same, i will list up the plugs i use and the player tomarrow wheni get back to work.
but its a great combo at a bout 80 total.

plus 49$ is with 512 internal and i have a 512 card in as well
4 weeks/4,000 miles and batt is still full (1 AAA)

Bad idea.  You won't be 100% focused on the road.  In the car, is different.  You don't really use your WHOLE body to drive.  But you do need your whole body to ride.

Quote from: annguyen1981 on July 29, 2006, 06:14:48 PM
Bad idea.  You won't be 100% focused on the road.  In the car, is different.  You don't really use your WHOLE body to drive.  But you do need your whole body to ride.

i have to disagree a motorcycle does require more attention then a car but I think tunes on a motorcycle can keep you focused on those long days. The whistle of the wind and humming of the tires can lure you into that hypnotic tunnel vision state. Maybe some hard rock or a book on tape isnt the best idea while riding but i would call it a lesser evil.
ash

Quote from: ashman on July 29, 2006, 06:43:00 PM
The whistle of the wind and humming of the tires can lure you into that hypnotic tunnel vision state.

You can experience this in a cage too.  IMO, even more so.

Yes! a fellow Coast to Coast AM lover!  I always listen to that on the late night drive from North Western Nevada to South Eastern Idaho when I go visit my family.
It's honestly the only thing that keeps me awake (since I leave here after work at about 4 and get there about 2 am). 

Although one time when I was just about there, I was listening to Coast to Coast AM.  I was seeing weird horizon lightening all night.  Then I looked up into the underside of a spacecraft about 100 feet above my car.  It passed  over my head with its landing lights flashing.  I woke my wife up by saying "Holy crap a spaceship, holy crap a spaceship!" as I wached it floating silently over my windshield and then through the sunroof.  My wife woke up, saw it and started freaking too.  Then she pointed out that it was merely a large antenna tower.  Thats what I get for driving when I'm tired.

CTC AM is good for keeping you awake.  It's fun to laugh at the nutjobs.