Headphone music whilst riding

[KirstySG]

Is this legal?

I thought that it shouldnt be a problem, considering for one you can listen to music in a car full blast whilst driving (understanding distraction) but still, people do it.

And also you can get helmets with bluetooth in so you can chat to your fellow rider.. So from that I assume it is legal to do so?

So what do you advise? Have you done it? Do you think its ok to do it? Or a 5 minutes song that just wont be worth it in the end?
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K

Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that its stupid.

[P.addy]

I always have and always will listen to music through earphones on the bike.

I get too bored otherwise hearing the same "boooooooooooooooooooom" on the motorway

[Nope.]

Yep. 100% Legal. Ive been stopped with both earphones in and the cop even waited for me to turn the music off
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Former: Derbi GP1 50, Sachs XTC 125, Suzuki GSXR 400 GK73A, Kawasaki ZX7R, Suzuki DR250, Yamaha RD350
Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Nexus Icon]

I wore headphones on a 90 mile trip not so long ago. Tbh, it was alright until one of the headphones started to slip and dug into my ear.

I say 'alright'. It was bloody annoying actually because of the variety of volume level of the songs on my iPhone. One would make my ears bleed and the next would have me straining to pick up a familiar bass or beat just so I could sing along to words I couldn't hear.

On reflection it was a bit shit, tbh, but I might invest in some more suitable earphones, make up a playlist of similarly 'volumed' songs and try again in the future.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[felicity]

I've tried earphones for a satnav and even after a short journey (about 30 miles) my ears were pretty sore. I think I'd want a bluetooth helmet if I was going to do that.

[Clanger]

I can't stand wearing earphones with my lid...I just can't get used to it...so I don't.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[J.M.]

I usually ride with just one headphone in, I like to be able to hear what going on around me and at the same time hear my music. For that reason the left headphone goes in and the right's open for traffic.
You get used to hearing out of one ear in the end
Then I just leave the phone in my pocket, and it's just a simple "grab my pocket" in the right place to adjust the volume

But yeah, you're also allowed to wear ear plugs.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[GREENI3]

Personally I wouldn't listen to music.

If anything went wrong on the bike, you might not hear it and same goes for an emergency vehicle trying to get past or if someone beeped at you.

I suppose it doesn't matter as much if you're riding on motorways frequently, but if you're doing a lot of town and city riding, then it could just be a disaster waiting to happen.

It would act as a bit of a distraction as well imo, as you wouldn't be 100% focused on the road.

But in the end, it comes down to personal preference.

[swampy]

[Marcg868]

I listen to music all the time on my commutes. Have a Pair of Sennheiser CX300's and they are very very comfy. Don't have it too loud. And can still hear the engine note.

Make me ride a bit too fast tho if listening to Trance. So listen to Chillout and Ambient
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JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[YourMumRang]

I always listen to podcasts. Allows a little more sound in and keeps me focussed. I swear I ride better when I listen.

[Spit-Fire]

[KirstySG]

Thanks for the replies, Ill give it a go..
I planned on just putting one in my ear, leaving the other free to sounds around me, Ill take a ride out tommorow in the country side, see how I get on with distraction.

I cant wait! I think it would make riding alot more enjoyable
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K

Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that its stupid.

[cromwell]

Rarely go out without headphones in to be honest.

Picked up some cheap ones off amazon that are 'gummy', don't even notice that they're in. Don't rip half your ear off either when you take your lid off.
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"unbelievable"
Current - Suzuki Bandit 600
Ex's - Yamaha YBR 125

[95Theses]

Don't do it in London because there is enought o think about and I want to hear everything.

Can't ride any distance on the motorway without them or I end up going too fast out of sheer boredom.

I have a short attention span for monotony and music (or actually usually a podcast) helps alleviate that.

[Adamantis]

I use a scala headset thingy (rider to rider, but can also listen to music, answer phone etc). Because it's speakers in the helmet rather than headphones, I quite happily use it in London (and get strange looks when bopping along at the lights! ), but on the motorway it can sometimes feel a bit distant. Still, it's better than the constant drone and "omg, is it meant to sound like that, is it about to explode?!?" of the Mille!

Do it!
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Rides: '91 CG125 (Sold), '00 CB500S (Sold), '97 Thundercat (Sold), '99 KTM EXC 300 (SOLD), '99 RSV Mille (stolen. Thieving SCUM!!!), '94 DR350 (sold), '10 Vstrom 650 (hated it so much I gave up riding), now on the OH's CBF1000 until I can afford another Mille...

[Rogerborg]

If you've ever hassled by a copper, tell them that you're deaf. They'll be flummoxed.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[pinkyfloyd]

[carlosthejack...]

I can't deal with music, or earplugs, I like to be able to hear my engine. I think if I was doing a massive trek, plugs would be utilised though...
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DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[Serendipity]

[Oz.]

I used a pair of etymotic HF5 when doing about 5k Miles round europe in Just/august, couldn't have done it without them tbh! Especially useful when ploughing down the Autobahn at 140, didnt find I was distracted by them at all, well apart from at traffic lights when I'd drum on my tank to the tunes, getting strange looks form the locals

[The Artist]

In ear headphones so no soreness.

I have music on all the time and if it is a long journey, sat nav aswell.

[Dan_Davies]

personally i love listening to the sound of the bike, but i suppose on a long journey it would be handy (:
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current ride: 07 suzuki sv650s
ex rides : lifan mirage 125

[anthony_r6]

I always wear headphones when I ride. I've found that normal bud-headphones hurt my ears though, so I bought the ones that have the support around the back of the ears. Definitely more comfortable. I also have never had a problem hearing emergency vehicles.
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Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[The999Kid]

I dont use headphones if the journey is under half an hour or has frequent stops... if im coursing down the motorways then ill have my headphones in, all 5 glee albums on shuffle
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