Modern Vespa

So my kids (via my darling Wife) bought me a new tiny iPod shuffle for Fathers Day last Sunday.
In previous threads on this sort of topic I have stated my opinion that I would not ride with ear buds/MP3 etc as I believe you need to hear the engine revs, indicator beep and especially traffic noise around you.
Last night I was working late and the rush hour was well over so I thought I would try the iPod in the helmet on the way home.
I set the volume to a fairly low, but audible level. Getting the helmet on without ripping the earbuds out took three attemps.
Then on the ride home I left my indicator on - I never usuaually do this, so I now know how much I rely on the extra loud beeper I have.
By 1/2 way home I am listening to the songs thinking that this sounds like listening to a neighbours stereo through the wall. Not only that, it is just like listening to the neighbours music coz there is feck all I can do about changing the song
Will I do it again. Certainly not on my commute; possibly on a very long ride.
Overall I just can't see (or hear) the attraction.

I love listening to music while I Drive, but in Colorado it is illegal to have earphones on while operating a motorvehicle, so no go for a scooter.
although, Earphones do not include devices in protective headgear, so i smell loophole

Boulty I've had one for a few months now. I use it on the pushbike but the earbuds tend to fall out unless I have my beanie on. No worries I thought ... I'll just upgrade the earphones to some that stay put. Only they cost more than the ipod!
http://store.apple.com/nz/product/MA850

I do like the interface.

When I was a young fella I used to use a walkman/minidisc on the motorcycle because I went everywhere at 150 so never had to worry about anything coming up behind me. Bit different nowadays and a lot different on the scoot.

When I do it, I use only 1 of the ear buds. I can crank it up and still hear everything else.

never do it....too dangerous and you were right about trying to get a helmet on without dislodging the earphones very difficult.

hey crackhead,


want to tell them how you got your nickname?

If you do it again, use some in-ear earbuds, preferably the kind with compressible foam inserts that seal your ear from outside noise. They stay in better, and the sound is actually quite good.

If you feel distracted, though, then don't.

I don't generally ride with music, but I always wear earplugs, so I can't hear traffic around me anyway. This doesn't bother me, as I've learned to ride without that extra sensory information.

I listened to music quite a bit on Cannonball. Might have been the only way I stayed sane.

That's what I used on a fairly long (for me) ride recently. I wouldn't bother with them around town, but it was kinda nice on the longer ride. I might need to choose my tunes more carefully next time, though. Some were at a comfortable volume, but others I couldn't even hear well enough to tell what they were, and like the OP I didn't want to fumble around with buttons to select tracks or change volume.

Mine look a lot like these:



Available here:
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&bc
for $15

Or on eBay:
http://tinyurl.com/r5lmjp
for $12.18 with free shipping

I listen to music everywhere I ride. I have the Parrot SK4000 Blue Tooth Head Set. I just LOVE it, cruising down the road listening to XM is great.

Syncs to my phone too, call comes in, it auto answers and if it's not a critical issue with the Data Center I tell them I will call back when I can. If it's a Data Center issue and I have to deal with it, I pull over if traffic is heavy or if I am in the country I just talk and ride. I do let them know I am on the scooter and they don't have my full attention, just a little and I could start ignoring them at any moment. Usually they will hear me call out, "Hold On A Min" then min later they get the "OK I am Back"

Wayne B

I have a pair of Shure sound isolating earphones (not with me, so all I can remember is that they are on of the SE models), but they are designed to be worn behind the ear and then loop over the top of the ear and into the ear canal so they make the perfect fit - much like musicians ans sound engineers wear.

It takes a bit of getting used to wearing them this way at first, but it makes an almost soundproof fit in your ear especially as they come with different sizes of sleeves to go on the end to fit different sizes of ears. These things are so soundproof that if I wear them when I am walking the dog I have to be very aware of what's going on around me as I can't hear any ambient sounds at all. In the office they make me unaware of any outside noise completely. Never worn them when I'm riding and I don't think I ever will.