Do any of you listen to tunes while riding?

[VP]

Do any of you listen to tunes while riding? I've heard of some people putting in a sound system into their helmets. Odviously, no one should be listening to tunes if they are still a beginner at riding...they need to be focused on the road and their surroundings.

[Sev]

I listen to my mp3 player on the highway, got a good pair of headphones that work like earplugs. Very happy with them.

[Skier]

I used to. But since I'm in front of a computer, with tunes going, for an average of 10 to 12 hours a day, I like to just listen to the engine sing through a set of earplugs.

Just remember, you need earplugs for any kind of extended riding. 15 minutes of wind noise at 60 MPH will permanently damage your hearing*. Getting a set of headphones that block sound, like modified Koss Plug** earphones will help.

* - Sound Rider source.

** - More hearing protection with Koss Plugs.

[VP]

Gee...I didn't know you were supposed to wear ear plugs...what if you have a full face helmet that blocks out wind noise? And what if you also have a windshield?

I thought you didn't want your ears plugged...at least not both of them, otherwise you can't hear what's going on around you.

[Sev]

Good earplugs should only cancel out certain sounds. Important stuff, and loud noises (eg horn) will still be easy to hear. On the bike it'll mostly cancel out the wind.

[Skier]

Gee...I didn't know you were supposed to wear ear plugs...what if you have a full face helmet that blocks out wind noise? And what if you also have a windshield?

I thought you didn't want your ears plugged...at least not both of them, otherwise you can't hear what's going on around you.

A fullface helmet doesn't block nearly as much noise as you would expect. A winshield may help a great deal, but it does not eliminate the noise.

As for having both ears "plugged," it's roughly the same noise reduction as being in a car with the windows rolled up. You can still hear all the important things without a problem.

[Npeart]

I think I would find it too distracting to listen to music. Of course I'm a newbie and really try to focus very hard on staying safe and riding propery. For those who are experienced riders and whose reflexes and instincts are essentially second nature on a bike, I guess a little music would be a nice accompaniment.

[BigChickenStrips]

I like to listen to an mp3 player with ear buds if im going to cruise out in the country. when im in city traffic i dont usually bring it because i dont listen to the music, i concentrate on the cars around me and traffic signals and stuff. i do find myself singing a lot though, its cool to have a full face because no one can see me singing "with arms wide open" or "my humps" or whatever crap song i have stuck in my head.

[macktruckturner]

I gotta have my tunes.

[yoda731]

My first ride that I took after I got my license, I realized I was at one point singing outloud inside my full-face. The first song I sang? "Truckin'" by the Grateful Dead. Nice.
JC