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There seems to be a proliferation of music devices some of which are designed specifically for use on motorcycles. Some are outboard systems while others are designed to pipe the music directly into the helmet.
While I have a fairly moderate interest in music (primarily jazz), I do have some reservations about the use of this accessory while riding a bike.
With the understanding that motorcycle riding itself is inherently a dangerous sport, it's vital that the rider must be fully aware of his surroundings and constantly looking for potential traffic problems.This means not only directly ahead but to the rear and both sides, constantly moving one's eyes and never looking in any one direction for more that ten seconds.
Where does all this fit into the music while riding, you ask?
Most any auditory device produces sounds of music, ocean waves, bird calls, etc, all of which are sounds intended to instill calmness or a soothing, relaxed mental state. This is counter-productive to the requirement of the heightened alert status of any rider. In fact one of the big advantages of riding motorcycles is the need for total concentration which blocks out the thoughts of work, family situations, finances, etc.
Therefore, adding the distraction of music or other auditory diversions would seem to cancel out the above concentraction.
Some would argue that music on long uninterrupted freeway rides tend to relieve monotony...possibly, but isn't it also just another diversion from the need to be aware at all times? Especially at the high speeds used on freeways ad the quicker reactions needed for the quicker approach times to danger. What are your thoughts on this subject?

This was posted originally on the Motorcycle Diary Blog page [click on the logo at the top of the page] and we thought it might create some interest here, also.

I had another thought about this topic...I think that the music thing has become a product of the age we are living in. It seems that so many people, especially the 30 somethings or younger, are so conditioned to noise that they are uncomfortable with the lack of music or other loud sound in anything that they do. I doubt they are really listening to it at all times but must have some sort of audible sound to eliminate silence. In the case of riders, the steady drone of the motorcycle engine just doesn't do it for them.
Example: Many times I have gone up to the tall pines to camp and get some peace & quiet to recharge my personal batteries only to find that someone has decided to set up his camp just yards away from mine and immediately gets his 100 watt stereo blasting. This person is simply not comfortable merely listening to the simple sounds of nature like birds singing or the chattering of a squirrel or an elk bugling his love call in the Fall.
Kind of sad.

I'm sort of interested in this topic. Having gone on several trips worth about half a day of riding, I've considered purchasing a helmet sound system that would allow me to listen to music and also talk to my pillion (with their own headset - but my music). I thought the cell-phone option was a good one too, but the same as with cars, I think I'd pull over to talk. I would be able to have a quick chat on the road without taking off my helmet.

Anyway, back to the music. I find myself enjoying the time to my own brain without other distractions and I can also tell if the bike is running well. I sing to myself sometimes and that can pass quite a bit of time. I guess the only time I'd use this technology would be on a long trip. If I was riding for more than a couple hours and would likely be stuck on the interstate. Then it might be nice to have something to listen to, but I think you can't let that take you off your focus. I know on the interstate I can't hear much anyway with the wind and engine noise, so I think it would deter little from my available senses.

The issue of listening to music while riding and listening to music just for noise are completely different. It doesn't really matter why people listen to music, or what the music is, but that on a bike it's important to have your attention fully focused on the road. Really it just comes down to a personal choice.

The only time I would listen to music is for a long distance ride. I think if I were spending that many hours on the road, I would need some music. Just my opinion...

-Andrew

I hate it when people play music/etc at parks and in the middle of the woods. Whats the point of coming out into the peace and quiet if you're going to pollute it with noise?

I'm the type that I need some kind of background noise or it feels kind of wierd. At work, I have some MP3s playing while I'm working. At home, even if I'm not watching tv, I have it going so there is some different noises.

While on the bike though, nothing sounds as good as the rumble of my bike. I've been wearing ear plugs lately too and I really like it. It drowns the annoying wind noise but I can still hear enough of the engine.

I wear in-ear style headphones that fit comfortably underneath my helmet and not only function as speakers, but also as earplugs. They actually work better than my earplugs for blocking out unwanted wind/engine noise (I have a KLR; 650cc single; nuff said)

The music that I listen to while riding tends to be more upbeat stuff (dance/techno, classic rock) and doesn't so much calm me down as it does keep me alert.

I do so much riding that I find myself very quickly falling into a groove of 'travel from point A to point B', and without the music playing, I have actually 'zoned out' on occasion, and found that my focus has narrowed to what is happening waaaaay down the road, and blocking out my immediate surroundings. With the music playing, my mind stays alert and I keep my eyes moving all around me, taking in everything that is happening and sorting it into threat/not threat categories.

There have been times when I would shut the music off for a while, but my bike is so damn noisy that it just gets on my nerves in short order.

I prefer not to have any music while riding. I have enough to keep me occupied when I'm on the bike.

Plus, I don't need any extra noise.

I sing to myself on long rides.

Hey - It's music to Me!

I'm a card carrying member of the sing to myself crowd. On trips from Indiana to Minnesota on my own I would often have the radio on for good portions and suddenly get upset that the sound quality was so bad only to realize I had started singing....That said I often have an MP3 player with me when I ride, commuting or otherwise. I feel it keeps me alert and entertained. Of course I listen to fairly upbeat/aggresive music so it would be hard for the noise to soothe me into not being alert. Oh, and as an outdoorsman I too can't understand the problem with listening to nature. I've stopped wearing the MP3 player on runs and have to admit I've heard some of the most soothing sounds while spending hours in a treestand waiting for a buck...of course I've heard some of the most exciting sounds in the same place...