Triumphrat

Tiger-G · 06-17-2008, 08:07 AM

Hi Tigers,

I was wondering how you listen to your music while at speed on your bike ??

I always wear earplugs to protect the old hearing, but if I put my MP3 Player in-ear headphones in, to listen to music on the move, I have to take the earplugs out. When I just have my in-ear headphones in I can hear the wind blast, road noise and bike. If I turn up the volume to overcome the noise I know I'm damaging my ears.

I came up with this 10 pence solution :

I took the "bud" off the headphone. I heated a small bore screwdriver up with a blow torch and just pushed it all the way through the earplug. It left a hole just the right size to slip the headphone into.

After a quick test ride I got the best of both worlds, earplugs keeping out the wind noise, and music at a normal volume

What have you done to overcome this problem ??

And before anyone moans: I know we shouldn't be listening to music on the move, as we can't hear potential risks to us, but we all do it, don't we ??

Outrunner · 06-17-2008, 08:47 AM

I have an Autocom system fitted to my bike and use a Zen mp3 player (tiny little thing about the size of a cigarette lighter) connected to it.

The sound quality is ok until you get over 70 ish MPH. I have never used earplugs in 45 years of biking so I do not know how that would affect the sound. Err, pardon what did you say?

Andy.

Tiger-G · 06-17-2008, 10:02 AM

Hi Andy,

Nice to hear from you again.

We'll have to try and get everyone together for another ride out, in June or July

Catch you later.

Bazman · 06-17-2008, 12:59 PM

I've got Ultimate ears earphones. Combined with a quiet helmet (Schuberth S1) the music is crystal clear and there's virtually no wind noise

Barry

kludge · 06-17-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazman

I've got Ultimate ears earphones. Combined with a quiet helmet (Schuberth S1) the music is crystal clear and there's virtually no wind noise

Barry

How are those for comfort? I've yet to try any in-ear buds that don't cause great pain within a couple of hours of insertion, when coupled with a helmet.

Bazman · 06-17-2008, 03:05 PM

I don't find them uncomfortable. I suppose it depends on the size and shape of your ear. The Ultimate Ears came with 4 different sizes of silicone tips and 1 pair of foam tips. The speaker cable is slightly rigid nearer the bud so it can be bent around your ear for a better fit.

Barry

Tassie_Tiger · 06-17-2008, 07:46 PM

I use custom moulded ear plugs http://www.earmold.com.au/content/blogcategory/23/35/ with the MP3 player in my Garmin Zumo 550 GPS.

They work really well and weren't very expensive.

RedBird · 06-17-2008, 11:05 PM

I use the Starcom1 motorcycle communications system made across the pond. I use either an MP3 player or an Ipod. No ear-buds, the Starcom1 comes with speakers that mount in your helmet.

Since the stock windscreen on the Tiger1050 is VERY noisy, I ordered a Calsci+7 windscreen and it cut the noise down a great deal--it is not as quiet as my Bonneville with the Parabellum Scout fairing, but it is quiet enough to enjoy the music, now.

If you have a pillion, both can listen to the music. When one talks, the music is muted until the conversation ends for about 20 seconds. The same feature goes for bike to bike communication with a 2-way radio. I have even plugged my cell-phone in and put it on auto-answer when I expected one of my kids to call while I was riding. They couldn't tell that I was on the bike until I stopped at a stop sign and took off again--they could hear the NH Togas on the Bonneville.

miker · 06-18-2008, 12:21 AM

I have the Chatterbox intercom, and use an iPod 30GB connected to it. The Chatterbox also comes with in helmet speakers and boom microphone, but I cut the speakers off and put in a better quality slimline cushion speaker. That way, there is no pain in the ear, and you don't have to fiddle with buds to get them to sit right. Your passenger can also hear the music and it's got a pretty good VOX system, plus volume is controlled via the Chatterbox, not the player.

The added benefit is, that this system cuts down on the wind noise but, providing the music isn't too loud, allows you to hear sirens, horns and other vehicles that may be in your blind spot.

I have the Chatterbox because I have two road bikes and couldn't really justify intercom/music systems in both. It all works well, and will take a GPS system, but I won't be hooking up a phone to it. If they want me they can leave a message.

Mick

The Kurgan · 06-18-2008, 11:26 PM

On other motorcycles, I used my Garmin Zumo 550 GPS with 400-500 mp3's loaded on it (using quality ear buds)... but now I prefer the sound of that 955 triple and TOR can!