Earplugs, Earphones my experience

[sfcali86]

so i like going out for my ride and when i do i hook my mp3 player up i enjoy some good music helps me relax and its fun but its bin a few times when i pull up to a stop a fellow rider comes up next to me and decides to talk i feel bad i cant really hear him that good. does this happen to anybody with earphones or earplugs what do you do?? ARE ANY OF THE TWO ILEGAL BECAUSE I DONT EVEN KNOW

 

[FZyLarry]

I haven't searched through the California DMV site but I was under the impression that riding with headphones in both ears is illegal in CA (car, bike or even a bicycle). I have ridden with speakers built into my helmet many years back and found I could keep the volume low enough that I could still hear things around me - but just barely. I rarely ride with my iPod on the FZ and go the one ear only route if I do.

 

[sfcali86]

yea same i use just one earphone maybe a lil less volume might help:rockon:

 

[Goop]

Earplugs are legal in CA.

SB 315, the Senate Transportation Committee omnibus bill, was signed into law by the Governor on September 29, 2003. When the bill takes effect on January 1, 2004, motorcyclists will be able to wear any earplugs or molds - not just those that are custom-made - that are specifically designed to reduce noise levels, as long as they don't inhibit the rider's ability to hear a siren or a horn from another vehicle.

I like using earplugs. I find they help me concentrate better during the ride.

 

[cv_rider]

I wear earplugs for anything but 'round town riding. When I get them inserted properly (that's sort of hit or miss), it's hard to hear people talking.

 

[SovietRobot]

I've found that it's hard to hear anything other than wind and my exhaust.

One time I had a cop right behind me with his siren on and I heard it but I couldn't tell where he was! I only found out he was right behind me when he came over the loudspeaker and asked me to move out of the way, then said thank you when I did)
(Note he wasn't pulling me over, he was going code 3 to another call)

 

[PAULED]

I listen to my ipod on occasions, but volume needs turning down. As it's easy to get carried away if you have some rock music blasting away in your ears

Cheers

 

[Mattberkshire]

I occasionally ride with music on. The main problem is when I fuel up. As I've got a flip front helmet I've still got the music on when I pay. I can see the guy talking but I can't hear him. I just say the pump number, give him the card and say "I've got earplugs in" probably in a really loud voice. Oh, and why don't I just turn the ipod off? cos it's usually in an inside pocket and all the wirings just right and I really can't be bothered undoing everything!

 

[bluenova]

I actually hear sirens and other vehicles better if I'm waring earplugs. My helmet is quite crappy when it comes to wind noise so having the earplugs to cut out the wind noise helps a lot.

RE earphones, I wouldn't wear them, I have a bluetooth speaker (Scala) in my helmet which can link to my phone or GPS (or both) to play music. I have a friend who plugs his earphones into his GPS, I would hate to know what would happen if he came off and the things are ripped out of his ears. Think it would smart a bit.

 

[reiobard]

I have been known to ride with speakers and headphones in my helmet, I prefer the speakers by far as they have a disconnect built in on the helmet, so if i need to hear i have a handy place to simply unplug them.

 

[wpgibson]

I ride w/ a set of Sony's in-ear plugs and an I-Pod much of the time for my 35-40 minute ride to work.

Having earphones in both ears is illegal in MD; my view is that its difficult for a cop prove I had them in BOTH ears since the damn things pop out for no reason sometimes and especially when the helmet comes off.

 

[Roadstergal]

In CA, earphones in both ears are illegal. Earplugs are legal as long as you can hear sirens and horns:

27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.

(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.

(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.

(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.

(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.


I am a former music-listener who reformed and now wears hearing-preserving earplugs. My hubby challenged me to try earplugs instead of earphones for a month; it only took me a week to convert. Music is more distracting than you think it is, and wind noise is more tiring than you notice until it's gone. I pass that challenge on whenever I can. Try losing the music and putting in soft foam earplugs.

 

[chunkygoat]

If i do ride with music, I usually only put the earphone in one ear. I found out the hard way when a lady rider decked out in purple on a gxxser came up to me at a redlight and flipped her visor open and said something. Low and behold i heard absolutely nothing and the light went green.

To this day I only use 1 earphone if I'm listening to music.

On a serious note though, I hear more wind than anything but I keep the volume down so I can hear sirens and horns and large trucks barreling down the road. I believe any earphones are illegal in PA though so I don't do it too often - only on long rides and if I'm feeling ballsy.

 

[Deleted member 2349]

I also put headphone speakers in my helmet. First I didn't want to keep fiddling with earbuds and putting the bucket on and off. Second I find it hard enough to pinpoint where some sirens or horns are comming from....I hear them and just have to scan harder to figure out where they are. So I being able to hear a little better than heving something in my ear.

I also bought a small bluetooth connector(Jambra Dog tag thing)...it fits by my cheek pad/mouth area...i can change tracks and even answer a call if i'm not at high speeds, and no more hanging wires.

 

[champion221elite]

No earphones or buds for me when riding. I can't seem to keep any of those things in my ears as they always fall out.

Besides... hearing the engine scream is all the music I need.

 

[Davey]

Hi Guys, new member here but love the site.

I wear both ear plugs and occasionally noise cancelling earphones for longer rides. Earphones in both ears are illegal here in the UK but I don't mind risking it! They are a pain though as they keep falling out! One time I was paying for petrol with music still playing, big queue behind me and the guy at the desk starts talking to me - I'm pointing at the helmet saying 'Can't hear you mate I've got earphone in' but he still carries on. I had to go through all the hassle of taking off the gloves, undoing my jacket, digging my phone out of the bottom of my inside pocket (all the while the queue is getting bigger and people are getting more and more hacked off). Finally I said to him 'Sorry, mate what?', and he says 'Do you want a VAT receipt?' I could have punched him....idiot. :spank:

I've got a bluetooth Scala rider for my Tom Tom Rider but never tried to hook it up to play music from my phone - will try it this weekend!

Ride well! :thumbup:

 

[robertdroberts]

Lately I wear earphones in both ears for my daily commute. When I first started riding I just listened to the engine and wind...that got old, especially in bumper to bumper traffic. I snake my cord down my back inside my shirt, and have my Sony MP3 player, buttons out, in my front pocket. That way when I come into the gate I pause it, say my hellos and and re-start. As far as riding the long rode, I'm a mirror junky, so not much sneaks up on me (first car at 15 and got rear ended...you learn to watch).

PS: For your FYI...On the way in I listen to Talking Heads, Linkin Park, Live, Peter Gabriel, Incubus, Kate Bush, AudioSlave, Gang of Four, The Cure, Screaming Trees, and the Sound Track from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Sony 2MB MP3 player, holds alot.

 

[craig007]

although it is not legal in IL, I allegedly wear JVC marshmellow earbuds in both ears. They block out most of the noise and I connect to my Zumo GPS. I play mp3s but keep the volume low. I can hear other cars, horns, police etc. I can't understand people if they are talking to me, but I could not understand them with earplugs anyway

 

[chimneydoc]

I use earphones too, I have a satellite radio and a radar detector. The radar detector wll sound a warning if a emergency vehicle aproach's. It's not the safest way to travel, but I can still hear the traffic.

Doc

 

[Crotalus]

Everyone talks about headphones falling out... I had the same problem, til I bought these..

MDR-J11G | h.ear™ Sports Headphones | Sony | SonyStyle USA

12 bucks and they work great, and won't fall out when you put your lid on.