Total Motorcycle Community Forums

damooster wrote:I think it's illegal to wear headphones in both ears in the state of Virginia. Don't know about the other states.

Any headphones are illegal in the state of Virginia even if just in one ear EXCEPT if they are part of a motorcycle communication system.

I've met alot of guys who rave about these
http://www.uniqcycle.com/category_s/36.htm

Sound great and you can hear them even at 70 (yamaha vstar 1100 with windscreen)

intotherain wrote:

damooster wrote:I think it's illegal to wear headphones in both ears in the state of Virginia. Don't know about the other states.

Same for CA. Only one is allowed.

As are earplugs - which I'm assuming is where the headphone interpretation comes from.

Is it really unsafe to wear earplugs or is that just one of those laws made because it's assumed to be unsafe? I wear earplugs all the time on my bicycle. I think it actually helps me to rely more on sight than sound (which is far more reliable, IMO). Besides, sometimes I'll hear a screech or something that'll either scare the "poo poo" out of my and make me jerk around unnecessarily, or just plain distract my attention away from where it should be directed.

Oh, and besides the obvious wind blockage, it also mostly blocks out the occasional idiot who honks and yells that I shouldn't be on the road with "real" vehicles, even though I can hang with them at 30mph (and also discounting that bikes on sidewalks are illegal and dangerous as all hell).

It's no doubt just assumed to be unsafe, but then I'm guessing theres got to be some earplugs/headphones out there that block out "safe" sounds.

I did the music thing for a minute - it is a good distraction, but the muted hum of traffic is also soothing to me.

And boy howdy - if someone can't tell the different between plugged/unplugged traffic-noise - gotta get them the right pair of earplugs, because it is night and day.

bluecamel wrote:it also mostly blocks out the occasional idiot who honks and yells that I shouldn't be on the road with "real" vehicles, even though I can hang with them at 30mph (and also discounting that bikes on sidewalks are illegal and dangerous as all hell).

I hate to get off-topic, but does this really happen to you? I know there are some stupid people out there, but they actually honk and yell at you?

damooster wrote:I hate to get off-topic, but does this really happen to you? I know there are some stupid people out there, but they actually honk and yell at you?

I'm shocked that a guy in Northern Virginia would question this happening. Happens all the time inside the beltway Of course it's a bit better in DC

I know my friend wears earbuds from his iPod under his helmet when he rides, probably something I will do.

storysunfolding wrote:I'm shocked that a guy in Northern Virginia would question this happening. Happens all the time inside the beltway Of course it's a bit better in DC

I know we live amongst jerks out here in NOVA, but it is still amazing that people act this way. I personally haven't seen it, but I'll keep my eyes out for it. There's a lot of moped riders in my neighborhood, maybe I'll strike up a conversation with one of them when I can.

damooster wrote:

bluecamel wrote:it also mostly blocks out the occasional idiot who honks and yells that I shouldn't be on the road with "real" vehicles, even though I can hang with them at 30mph (and also discounting that bikes on sidewalks are illegal and dangerous as all hell).

I hate to get off-topic, but does this really happen to you? I know there are some stupid people out there, but they actually honk and yell at you?

It's a Topeka thing. They honk and yell and wave their arms. Comical and disturbing at the same time.

Johnj wrote:It's a Topeka thing. They honk and yell and wave their arms. Comical and disturbing at the same time.

Totally different but it reminds me of this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt23y461t_4