helmet speakers

[ispud]

I have been listening to a radio on my helmet speakers for a year or so.  I mentioned this in another thread and was told this is the same as driving drunk or without protective gear.  I consider myself to error on the side of caution, and wouldn't be using these if I thought they were dangerous.  What do you guys think?

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[Hoolander2]

I think you will get opinions going both ways.  Personally, I wouldn't do it. 

To me, riding requires every bit of concentration you can possibly give.  I saw a video report once showing drivers response times when they were distracted by simple little things like talking, listening to radio, etc.  Response times went down when doing anything at all besides paying attention to driving. 

Heck, sometimes I've found myself in a less than good situation just by letting my mind wander while riding! 

[sidthesloth]

I have used my MP3 player while riding the scooter thinking yeah, small scoot, slow, no worries but I could not get comfortable with it, too much you can miss by not hearing what is going on around you. Some people swear by music while riding but it's not for me.

[wordslinger]

..i have my mp3 velcroed to the back of my helmet...ran the earbud wiring behind the pads, and have the earbuds in the ear cavity of my helmet, pointed toward my ears..with bass-boost maxed out...

..music plays in the background as i listen to all the traffic sounds around me...

[sidthesloth]

A good idea 'slinger, when I tried I had the bud phones in my ears. I will try your idea and see how that goes.

[wordslinger]

...it works sid...it's like rock-n roll muzak in an elevator...'cept better...caus ur scootin'....

[sidthesloth]

Good analogy, scootin is all ups n downs

[ispud]

After giving it some thought I think I will give up my radios - every bit of attention is needed on a scooter - I have seen that first hand, and I have seen myself get lazy about it - I am thinking rockin out to my favorite tune is not going to help me pay attention to possible road hazards.

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[ispud]

ahhhhhh...the sound of turn signals - to not forget to turn them off is well worth forgoing listening to the radio>

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[sidthesloth]

With my fullface helmet, when she is in full flight I can't hear the indicator anyway.

[Hoolander2]

I think you've made a wise decision, ispud.  Just the riding itself is entertainment enough.  May you ride long and safe. 

[spooker]

I distinguish highway riding from street riding.  On the highway you don't hear anything anyways, and there's a relatively small number of variables to pay attention to.  To keep my mind active during long stretches on the highway, I enjoy listening to music.  Also, the right type of headphones can help block out ambient wind noise.  If I'm on the highway and not listening to music, then I use earplugs.
Street riding requires more attention (there's more variables to track), is entertaining enough on its own, and you actually can hear things going on around you, so I don't listen to music.  I waver on whether or not to use plugs on surface roads.

[wordslinger]

...like i said, with the earbuds behind the flaps in your helmet, the music plays in the background...can still here everything around you...

..'course, i listen to music all the time...

..gotta jam!!!..

 

[Hoolander2]

I don't want to tork anybody off here.  I do respect all you guys and gals no matter.  Let me give one more point on this. 

IMO, it's not whether you can hear or not hear -- it's whether your mind is distracted or not.  You gotta answer that one for yourself.  I think spooker is on to that. 

[kawzak]

Personally I can tell you it's a bad idea. If you have to listen to a radio-put speakers in the dash. At least that way you won't block out ambient noise. Maybe you can avoid being ran over. Don't ask me how I know this.