Triumphrat

welshrob

I have a Scala Qrider bluetooth intercom.I use it to talk to the g/f when we are riding. It has a facility where you can plug an Mp3 player or ipod into it. I`m kind of toying with the idea of doing it but I am not sure if listening to music while I ride is

A) Going to spoil the tranquility and change the whole riding experience for the worse. Or..

B) Safe? Not sure if the music will distract me. If I drive my car with the radio on I don`t think I have the same level of awareness that I have when I`m on the bike.

Would be interested in your experience/opinions of ipods on the bike.

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CommandoRdster

I don't use one around town,but out in the country I always do.I don't find it a distraction.In fact,It's a lot more relaxing than wind noise,which annoys me to the point of,well.....distraction.

Seriously,wind noise really fatigues me.It doesn't become a factor unless I'm riding several miles at higher speeds,so around town is not a problem,but on the road,if I'm not listening to music,I at least have my noise canceling ear-buds,or regular foam earplugs in place.

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HiDesert

The only time I ever used one was on my Iron Butt ride, which took me right across North Texas and the bulk of Oklahoma. It was okay, but on all other rides (with more curves and throttle/transmission work to keep me entertained), I've never felt the need. My best friend, OTOH, never rides without his.

Will it distract you? Does it in the car? A motorcycle takes more concentration than a car, so if it does, then definitely don't do it on the bike. If it doesn't in a car, it still might not be the best idea. But I'm sure it's safe enough to try it once or twice and see.

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Catenaccio

I almost always ride w/ an iPod on long, boring rides w/o many challenges (as in curves and elevation changes). Crossing miles and miles of nothing is made easier by listening to a few well-chosen tunes. However, I never ride in cities or in the mountains or in groups with an iPod. Now way, no how, nada.

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Rose

TBH, I've just got a new ipod and plugged it in to my scala. I couldn't even hear it properly and that was with it turned up, sitting in my lounge. Its never going to be any good on a bike with wind noise!! I wouldn't bother

I'd use it with the headphones if I wasn't riding with someone else. I also just like riding with earplugs in, the dull white noise chills me. I think as music has such an effect on me, you know bopping along in a world of my own. I would be tempted to ride to the rhythm of the tunes.

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spank86

I love to drive with music on but don't tend to ride with my Ipod.

I would but there are times when you need sudden silence. In a car i can just hit the off button, I don't like the idea of not being able to on a bike.

I would start using on if there was a handlebar attatchment for controls though.

naskie18

I've always got my mp3 player on when I'm riding. But then again, I'm pretty much always listening to music, regardless of whether I'm riding, driving, at work, or at home.

I've got bluetooth speakers in my helmet and rigged up some buttons to the outside of the helmet to control it, so that I'm not stuck trying to find my mp3 player in my pocket should I want to change songs or stop the music for a bit (say to talk at a light or a short stop or something).

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propforward

I've gone back and forth over this a few times. I did try it, and decided that the iPod (or whatever) just adds distraction around town and on more spirited riding.

However, I see a benefit to having it on more cruisy open country straight type roads. It helps a bit to prevent that mindnumbing "drift" that can occurr when you start to switch off on a really long distance crunch. In general I avoid that kind of riding, but now and again you do it to go and get to the funstuff.

Sometimes having a really fast, energetic music track going can be a blast when you're riding the twisties - but that's an example of how it can affect your concentration too.

I had my ipod situated in my left chewst pocketwhere I can hit the pause through my jacket. It worked well.

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BonnieBlack

Like prop said. Plus I don't need fun, energetic music coaxing me to ride faster than I should. And I don't want my timing influenced by the music either. But on easy rides and straight roads I don't see why not.

Riding is a very quite activity for me, just the wind and engine noise and nothing else. I like that, but the roads and scenery around here keep me from getting bored.

I am going to put some speakers in my helmet with a bluetooth pickup though for my Android GPS software though. But it's hard to find a cheap setup. I can't believe how many (expensive) 2-way setups they sell for motorcycles and cell phones. Talking on the phone in a car is bad enough, but while riding?

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BeHereNow

I love Creative brand MP3, have many models.
I use mine always in a cage riding alone, but never on a bike.
Illegal in some states, such as Flordia as I recall.