Headphones...don't throw tomatoes yet! - Page 2

Silver788 · 05-26-2012, 03:45 PM

I wear ear bud type head phones with a soft foam tip similar to the foam ear plugs most rides wear to prevent road noise. Mainly so i can hear my zumo 550 GPS. It also happens to have an MP3 feature and xm radio in it. I have worn them for years and even when stopped my police have never once had a problem. If anyone want the details on the VERY cool foam tips I use let me know and I will post the info. I can drive a car and listen to the radio as well as chew gum and walk so I ignore the haters. If you really spend a lot of time in the saddle you understand a need for music and news.

cassandraj · 05-26-2012, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Silver788

If you really spend a lot of time in the saddle you understand a need for music and news.

I think this might be me, later. But I get what you're saying Sirena, to focus for now and learn the fundamentals of the bike.

If I can have two earbuds in Oregon, I'll take that. But not now. A ways down the road.

dscott3509 · 05-26-2012, 07:24 PM

Start with earplugs, though. It is amazing how the wind noise in your helmet will tire you out.

Bluuu · 05-26-2012, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Silver788

If you really spend a lot of time in the saddle you understand a need for music and news.

Some people just don't need any entertainment beyond what the bike provides, no matter how much time one has in the seat. And some people just don't think new riders need any additional distractions.

inod3 · 05-26-2012, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bluuu

Some people just don't need any entertainment beyond what the bike provides, no matter how much time one has in the seat. And some people just don't think new riders need any additional distractions.

Sitting stopped in traffic I enjoy the distraction. Suppose I could try to mount a rubiks cube to the handle bars or something. Headphones I think are safer. I think the lack of distraction is probably why we get road rage - sitting there staring at the car in front of you has gotta be trying.

Texasl · 05-26-2012, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bluuu

Seriously? That's messed up.

Tell ya what...

Get your sleeping bag, toothbrush, and beer money together for next weekend. Let's go to Blake island and get drunk, eat steak, and sleep it off in the marina.

This makes me think of an old joke that starts with a question about Vaseline and ends with "Wanna go camping?"

Devil_Doc · 05-27-2012, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by cassandraj

So I searched the forum and read a few threads about headphone recommendations but that's not my exact question. I also Googled and can't find a definitive answer.

The WA RCW says we can wear built in headphones or "approved" headphones. What qualifies as an approved headphone set?

Originally Posted by Sirena

*tomatoes en route*

Unless you are one of those rare people who find it difficult to concentrate with extra sound (like you can't remember what you just read without the tv going in the background) IMO you should get some more miles under your belt before you add distractions and remove one of your sensory inputs.

As you are learning to ride, there is lots of info you can get through listening. Your engine pitch and volume will go up and down, may thrum, purr or stutter, your clutch may click clunk or grind, and heaven forbid your brakes may howl. And who knows what your individual bike will be trying to tell you about when she's cold vs warm? You may pick all this up as vibrations through your legs hands and tummy, but your ears are a big help too

Sirena is absolutely right. You don't need any distractions for a while. But once you've got some time in the saddle, I like work out style behind the ear buds.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CJsBEPMCMAI

Normal ear buds never stay in place when I put my helmet on, and they gouge the shit out of my ears when I pull the helmet back off. The behind the ear style work for me..

Devil_Doc · 05-27-2012, 07:23 AM

Oh, when they talk about "approved headphones", I believe they're referring to this sort of thing. I have one. Meh..

http://www.cardosystems.com/scala-rider/scala-rider-q2

rabidrabbit2727 · 05-27-2012, 05:39 PM

Nice to see some product recommendations. I've got a long trip coming up, and I'm trying to find some headphones/earplugs to use. Everything I've tried so far has either fallen out when I put my helmet on, or been pretty uncomfortable.

Constant steady road noise will put me to sleep. I feel like fatigue is going to kill me a lot faster than anything else, so I'll give up hearing some engine noise in order to stay awake.

Norainy · 05-27-2012, 05:52 PM

I ride with music all the time and am much faster than Bluuu

A cheap set of 10 dollar earbuds works fine.

The problem is, when a good song comes across the ears is that, one is much more likely to require a monetary deposit into the revenuer's bank account.

Phlebmaster · 05-27-2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by dscott3509

Start with earplugs, though. It is amazing how the wind noise in your helmet will tire you out.

I just tried the ear buds and was able to hear the music and still hear traffic/bike noises. Keep the volume low, and have a good helmet.

Desvio · 05-27-2012, 06:54 PM

I quit plugging into tunes years ago, and am quite happy with the road noise.

Originally Posted by Texasl

This makes me think of an old joke that starts with a question about Vaseline and ends with "Wanna go camping?"

You need to be more careful hanging out with people from this board.

loknload · 05-27-2012, 07:08 PM

I ride with music all the time but, then again, I never rode without ear plugs before I started listening to music. Normal ear buds don't work worth a damn for me. They don't block out noise well enough or fall out and I have to turn the music up way too loud. I use a set of Etymotic Research ER6i headphones. They come with a couple sets of the three flange rubber plug style ends as well as a couple sets of the foam style ends. You can get them for about $60 or so.

I also use a Monster ipod remote and velcro the remote controller to the top tripple on my bike. That way I can control volume as well as pause and play and also switch play lists.

If you don't want to spend $60 or so on headphones, you can also get less expensive ones like the JVC Marshmallow with the foam ear plug style ends on them from places like Radio Shack or Walmart for about $15.

Bottom line is, whether I'm wearing earphones or ear plugs, they need to block out the noise and protect my hearing. Not just drown out the wind and road noise with even louder music.

courier11sec · 05-27-2012, 07:10 PM

On earbuds, I use the type with the silicone deals that are pretty isolating. Skull candy currently and with some of those things that go over the wire and bring it up and behind the ear. The good thing about hem it even without playing music, they attenuate all the racket of traffic, exhaust and wind nearly as well as foam earplugs.
Since they work like that, when I do play music I don't need to turn it way up.

Bluuu · 05-27-2012, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Desvio

I quit plugging into tunes years ago, and am quite happy with the road noise.

You need to be more careful hanging out with people from this board.

Dude, you're totally gonna liquor me up, or at least feed me full of ninkasis when we're "hanging" out at sbnw this year right?

Edit time!

courier11sec · 05-27-2012, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Bluuu

Dude, you're totally gonna liquor me up, or at least feed me full of merlot when we're slow dancing at sbnw this year right?

Oh hey, btw, are you bringing the Vaseline or was I suppose to do that this year? You were kinda dry last year and it hurt my peepee.

Edit time.

Desvio · 05-27-2012, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Bluuu

Dude, you're totally gonna liquor me up, or at least feed me full of ninkasis when we're "hanging" out at sbnw this year right?

Oh hey, btw, are you bringing the Vaseline or was I suppose to do that this year? You were kinda dry last year and it hurt my peepee.

Going to be bringing some good brew for sure!

I was thinking of using Icy/Hot this year, whaddya think?

R6Roller · 05-27-2012, 08:13 PM

Any in ear device exponentially increases the growth of bacteria in the ear canal and increases the risk of infection. There's a reason DJ's use "old school" or large headphones, not just for their superior sound quality.

I agree with ...

Originally Posted by Bluuu

Some people just don't need any entertainment beyond what the bike provides, no matter how much time one has in the seat. And some people just don't think new riders need any additional distractions.

Bluuu · 05-27-2012, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Desvio

I was thinking of using Icy/Hot this year, whaddya think?

If I answered that question you'd prolly infract me. I'm gonna save my still available infraction points for when I really need them.

loknload · 05-27-2012, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by R6Roller

Any in ear device exponentially increases the growth of bacteria in the ear canal and increases the risk of infection. There's a reason DJ's use "old school" or large headphones, not just for their superior sound quality.

I agree with this but you also need to take a bit of responsibility for your personal hygene.


05-26-2012, 03:45 PM	#21
Silver788 Peg Dragger Joined: May 2008 From: Multnomah Village I Ride: 1998 VFR800 Interceptor, 02 XR650R, 93 DR650, 04 ZX10R	I wear ear bud type head phones with a soft foam tip similar to the foam ear plugs most rides wear to prevent road noise. Mainly so i can hear my zumo 550 GPS. It also happens to have an MP3 feature and xm radio in it. I have worn them for years and even when stopped my police have never once had a problem. If anyone want the details on the VERY cool foam tips I use let me know and I will post the info. I can drive a car and listen to the radio as well as chew gum and walk so I ignore the haters. If you really spend a lot of time in the saddle you understand a need for music and news. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-26-2012, 07:24 PM	#23
dscott3509 Parts Collector Joined: Aug 2008 From: Milwaukie I Ride: Triumph Tiger 800	Start with earplugs, though. It is amazing how the wind noise in your helmet will tire you out. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-27-2012, 07:23 AM	#28
Devil_Doc Superbiker Joined: Sep 2008 From: Puyallup-ish I Ride: 04 CBR1k	Oh, when they talk about "approved headphones", I believe they're referring to this sort of thing. I have one. Meh.. http://www.cardosystems.com/scala-rider/scala-rider-q2 __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-27-2012, 05:39 PM	#29
rabidrabbit2727 Newbie Joined: Apr 2012 From: Troutdale, OR I Ride: '96 Yamaha Virago XV535	Nice to see some product recommendations. I've got a long trip coming up, and I'm trying to find some headphones/earplugs to use. Everything I've tried so far has either fallen out when I put my helmet on, or been pretty uncomfortable. Constant steady road noise will put me to sleep. I feel like fatigue is going to kill me a lot faster than anything else, so I'll give up hearing some engine noise in order to stay awake. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-27-2012, 05:52 PM	#30
Norainy Peg Dragger Joined: Jul 2010 From: Nehalem, Or I Ride: cause I obey the voices in my head	I ride with music all the time and am much faster than Bluuu A cheap set of 10 dollar earbuds works fine. The problem is, when a good song comes across the ears is that, one is much more likely to require a monetary deposit into the revenuer's bank account. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-27-2012, 07:08 PM	#33
loknload Training Wheels Joined: Jan 2008 From: Portland, OR I Ride: 2008 Aprilia Tuono R	I ride with music all the time but, then again, I never rode without ear plugs before I started listening to music. Normal ear buds don't work worth a damn for me. They don't block out noise well enough or fall out and I have to turn the music up way too loud. I use a set of Etymotic Research ER6i headphones. They come with a couple sets of the three flange rubber plug style ends as well as a couple sets of the foam style ends. You can get them for about $60 or so. I also use a Monster ipod remote and velcro the remote controller to the top tripple on my bike. That way I can control volume as well as pause and play and also switch play lists. If you don't want to spend $60 or so on headphones, you can also get less expensive ones like the JVC Marshmallow with the foam ear plug style ends on them from places like Radio Shack or Walmart for about $15. Bottom line is, whether I'm wearing earphones or ear plugs, they need to block out the noise and protect my hearing. Not just drown out the wind and road noise with even louder music. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-27-2012, 07:10 PM	#34
courier11sec Moto2 Contender Joined: Sep 2008 From: where they don't have lawns. I Ride: Red bike, Brown truck, various collections of junk held together poorly.	On earbuds, I use the type with the silicone deals that are pretty isolating. Skull candy currently and with some of those things that go over the wire and bring it up and behind the ear. The good thing about hem it even without playing music, they attenuate all the racket of traffic, exhaust and wind nearly as well as foam earplugs. Since they work like that, when I do play music I don't need to turn it way up. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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