I began wearing earplugs when I was commuting an hour one way.
Of course I had Two Bros pipes, so the bike was loud.
then all of a sudden, I quit wearing them. Don't know why, I just didn't want to wear them anymore.
I don't know why I even started wearing them anyway.
The sound of the wind, engine and exhaust note are intoxicating...such a part of the motorcycle experience, that to diminish them would be like cut out parts of a symphony.
and I never want to ride with music. I have all the music I need stored in my cranium. The effect music has over me...anything worth listening to while riding would ultimately result in me grabbing more and more of the right grip. Pushing myself and machine just a little bit further. Driving like an A$$hole more and more. Only two outcomes are possible in this situation: Jail or death.
Not to mention the distraction factor associated with driving with headphones.
In listening to the song, you might be missing something that got pushed out of your attention span.
In a critical situation, the enjoyment of music, I believe, would become a distraction. It would be hard to shut the music out and really focus on evasive action.
I am not soapboxing it, just legitimate concerns.
Ride safe
Don