can you listen to headphones while riding a motocycle?

Question

is it safe or practical to have earbuds in and listen to an ipod while riding?

Answer 1

I have successfully done it for many years, I love it. I have more than twenty years of experience with motorcycles, one of the biggest problems that you will be faced with is wind, if you are on the highway the wind will blow them off unless you have some way of keeping them on other than just the pressure of the headphones themselves, also the wind will interfere with the sound, turn up the volume as far as it will go. If you’re going through town, it is great; however you will have to be a resident of a state that allows you to ride without a helmet because headphones will hurt you badly if you have to put a helmet over them.

Answer 2

There's an interesting range of response already to this, but I'd have to say that it's a very bad idea to wear ear/headphones whilst riding your motorcycle. It's not illegal, but it certainly reduces your senses - particularly with regards to hearing important cues as to what's going on either with your bike, the road surface and other road users - namely cars and vans that mightn't be as as smart as they should be.

For example (admittedly this is more relevant for the UK perhaps!), if you're riding in the cold one of the best ways to know if there's invisible "black ice" on the road is when your tyre noise suddenly disappears or is markedly muted. Similarly, idiotic van and taxi drivers (or school-run mums) can creep up on you from any angle and it helps to be able to hear them before you see them - without having swivel your head the whole time.

Basically, safe and fun motorcycle riding is all about being completely in touch with the world around you - such that anything which decreases any of your senses should be avoided if you want to stay alive and enjoy it. Leave it to the cagers!

Answer 3

I'll be watching this question, as I have a 4300 mile trip planned for Sturgis this year. I'm thinking of just using one earbud instead of both, that way I can still sort of hear whats going on around me?

I'm sure its not as safe as not having ear buds in, but hey on a long trip like I have planned, I want something to listen to.

On just local roads, I don't think I would do it.

Answer 4

I have riden many times with my headphones including cross country. I dont fel myself anymore alert or less for that matter, but I would not recommend riding with headphones because your ears hurt after you take the helmet off, you can hardly hear the music all way up with the wind noise, and they are so uncomfortable. Built in headsets in your helmet would be nice to have.

Answer 5

Honda Goldwings, Yamaha Ventures and Tour Deluxes as well as some BMW's come from the factory with CB/AM/FM/CD/Cassette players and rider to passenger intercom systems.

You can mount your own similar system from J&M, follow this link: http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=24

I use this on my road bike. My wife and I have enjoyed thousands of safe, informed and enjoyable miles of riding. As with anything, it's all in how and when you use it.

I never turn it up so loud that it becomes overpowering. In cities or on crowded roads I turn the radios down, but the intercom allows my wife to instantly communicate with me so we have an extra set of eyes helping to watch out and keep us safe.

While riding on open roads we enjoy the XM satillite radio.

On interstates the CB comes in handy.

The 10 band weather radio has helped us re-route around rain storms.

I wouldn't be with-out it now. I consider it as much a safety device as well as something that adds another level of enjoyment to our riding.

Answer 6

I don't really consider it safe to have anything going on that restricts my hearing while riding a bike. Helmets are bad enough.

Also, in some states (Colorado being one) it is illegal to wear earphones. (Wyoming however does allow it).

I won't say that in-helmet speakers are bad however. But I also know how most people blast their tunes and wouldn't be able to hear themselves sneeze anyhow. So it just isn't safe. A motorcyclist needs ALL of his attention on his riding.

Answer 7

Absolutely. If one has ear buds in listening to an ipod then, please, use the cellular for text messaging too. Yes, you might have to take both hands off the handles while on roadway in heavy traffic travelling at considerable speed, but isn't this intelligent design to do so? Feel free to be Darwinistic too.

Answer 8

Headphones. No. Earbuds, No.
Other systems designed for motorcycles, Yes.
Headphones and earbuds block your ears from other sounds,
The other systems don't.

Answer 9

that's variety of a debate on many bike boards, many swears up and down that that's like working with scissors whilst listening to hint whilst using and a few could say its completely ok. Make your individual judgment: in case you experience on top of issues and attentive to your environment, via all skill. in case you're partly undecided, or in a clean course/atmosphere then no. my own rule: In site visitors, even in my elementary shuttle, i would not positioned on it so i'm able to pay attention automobiles. easily no longer in an city atmosphere, yet ok in my own community. In a bike direction or MUT, and using casually could be ok. On a tough/rapid experience, no. via attempt and wind noise. using with others? No, exceptionally in a team experience whilst desiring to talk to people. Spinning type and domicile coach? easily specific.

Answer 10

Music is generally distracting, and its especially dangerous when youre on a motorcycle. Also, its not very practical if you ask me, because youd probably have to turn it up real loud to be able to hear over all the noise..

So i'd have to say no. Not if you want to continue to be able to listen to music (i.e. be alive).