Motorcycle Music System

[pirate50]

What is the general opinion of listening to music while riding? I was thinking of putting a discman in my tankbag and only using one of the little earbuds. Illegal? Bad idea?
Mike:confused:

[stough]

So, I hooked up a discman (mp3 player) and _two_ headphones for a x-country trip to Tucson. Couldn't have done it without the tunes. Thought I don't think I'd want 'em in the twisties. In CA, it is illegal to have two headphones, although one is perfectly cool. You're not supposed to wear regular earplugs either. Although you can wear custom fit plugs intended to allow communication...

Later,
Tim.

[linp]

I always wanted to bungee a boombox. Goldwing envy.

I know a guy who has his cellphone, mp3 player and frs radio somehow all hooked up to his helmet. Another guy has a radar detector hooked up. I entertain myself by singing.

[Setter32]

I entertain myself by screaming............. especially in the twisties.

:D

[Burst]

I thought the voices in my head were just getting out of control. :D It was Rod all along........

[No_Brakes23]

I love riding to music. At first, I went along with the whole, "it's not safe" thing, but I can't hear a damn thing anyway, so why not some tunes. I rarely do it though because:

1. my disc player skips bad on the freeway

2. I can't find any quality ear buds. They all seem too quite, or crappy sounding when turned up.

If anybody knows of any good speakers let me know.

[James]

If anybody knows of any good speakers let me know. [/B]

I hear the new Sony Fontopias (http://www.sonystyle.com/home/item.jsp?itemid=876&hierc=9687x9793x8746&catid=) are pretty good . Haven't had a chance to try 'em though. I use the much cheaper Koss (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001P4XA/qid=1030180466/sr=1-41/ref=sr_1_41/104-9324871-7068707) version. They're not great but passable.

If you want to avoid skipping, take a look at the new NetMD (http://www.sonystyle.com/home/item.jsp?hierc=9687x9781x8647&catid=&itemid=28901) players. I've been a MiniDisc devotee for several years and just made the switch to NetMD. It finally offers everything MiniDisc should have all along. It is now super easy to transfer MP3s along with track titles and you can get up to 320 minuets of music on a $2.00 disc. I think it beats the hell out of solid state MP3 players.

James

[Golden_Eternity]

A friend of mine has an mp3 player plugged into his chatterbox... Should solve the skipping and headphone problem.

[jicko]

Hi all,

Multiple questions, kinda related tho...

Do any of you use a MP3 players while riding? How are you doing it?

For MP3 player, I've found a kick-ass one - MPIO DMG, flash-based, 128MB internal memory, cost me $135 (directly from the US distributor, so happened that they are here in SanDiego). Expandable with 128MB SmartMedia card(cost me $30 from Amazon), so now I have 256MB of MP3 or WMA!!
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/mpio-dmg-review.html

Now, how should I hook it up to my helmet!? I tried those earbug that came with the player... it is so hard to keep them on while putting on your helmet.... and even if you get them on.... after a 2hr ride to julian and back.... my ear HURTS! (as the side of my helmet keep pushing the end of the earbug against my ears)

Another problem is also, wind noise, altho, not THAT bad...

So, do anyone of you ride with your tunes/earbug? If so, is there any specific model of earbug headphone that I should try? For comfort, ease to keep on as well as reduction of wind noise?

Then the follow on question is - do anyone of you uses FRS radio? Like those chatterbox? I already have a whole bunch of motorola FRS radio.... what's a good headphone to have to use with the FRS radios? Motocomm? Are they the ONLY ones?

[crashgirl]

I ride with tunes all the time. I ride to OC every other weekend (about a 2 hour ride) I use the ear buds and have no problems... but it is only legal to have one headphone in while riding. Not sure how else you should set it up. My be try some other ear buds.

[Danny]

Any idea where that MP3 player can be bought online? How is the sound quality? Anyone have other recommendations for players in the <$150 range?

As for hearing it: look for the earbuds that look like soft earplugs, I know Sony and Koss make some. Then replace the supplied ear plugs with your prefered plugs with a hole punched in them. I had the Koss's and they were good, until I yanked the cord for the 50th time while dismounting. Now I have a set of amplified computer speakers in my tankbag which I just crank to max. More comfortable and I can share with fellow motorists:D :evil:

[calversv]

i bought an iroq from fry's several months ago for $80. memory is limited so you'd need to expand by buying a bigger memory card. iroq is light and compact. the earphones that came with it don't bother me when i use it for riding. sound quality is good - comes with different sound options from jazz to rock and has extra bass.

[bwarbiany]

Originally posted by Danny
As for hearing it: look for the earbuds that look like soft earplugs, I know Sony and Koss make some. Then replace the supplied ear plugs with your prefered plugs with a hole punched in them. I had the Koss's and they were good, until I yanked the cord for the 50th time while dismounting. Now I have a set of amplified computer speakers in my tankbag which I just crank to max. More comfortable and I can share with fellow motorists:D :evil:

Hehe... Reminds me of back when I had a bicycle-mounted CD player, complete with computer speakers (and a battery pack that looked like a pipe-bomb)... Had to build up a plate on springs to keep the bumps down enough that the CD player would work...

Fun times :D

Brad
(Can ya tell I was destined to be an engineer?)

[jicko]

http://www.store.yahoo.com/dgndepot/
This is the distributor site, mention jicko@hotmail.com and tell them to sell the 128MB version to you for $135, I bet they will do it. Or else, order the 64MB version for $99, then spend $30 on Amazon(before 12/21) to get a 128MB Smartmedia to a total of 196MB of ram.

Sound quality is superb!

PS. when you got your player, contact me and I'll give you the latest firmware and software for it!


Originally posted by Danny
Any idea where that MP3 player can be bought online? How is the sound quality? Anyone have other recommendations for players in the <$150 range?

As for hearing it: look for the earbuds that look like soft earplugs, I know Sony and Koss make some. Then replace the supplied ear plugs with your prefered plugs with a hole punched in them. I had the Koss's and they were good, until I yanked the cord for the 50th time while dismounting. Now I have a set of amplified computer speakers in my tankbag which I just crank to max. More comfortable and I can share with fellow motorists:D :evil:

[jicko]

How would they know that you have both ears with MP3!?

Originally posted by crashgirl
I ride with tunes all the time. I ride to OC every other weekend (about a 2 hour ride) I use the ear buds and have no problems... but it is only legal to have one headphone in while riding. Not sure how else you should set it up. My be try some other ear buds.

[Golden_Eternity]

Originally posted by jicko
How would they know that you have both ears with MP3!?

They probably wouldn't know until they pulled you over for something, but when they see too wires dangling down, or once you take off your helmet...

Same rule applies to earplugs... I ignore it, though... There's so much wind noise in my helmet, that I figure anything the earplugs block would have been obscured by the wind anyway, and more importantly, its my freaking hearing. My dad is deaf from being a helicopter pilot, I don't want to be sitting around the table at christmas time shouting 'huh?!' back and forth with him.

[jicko]

Even when they stop you.... you can easily shake that particular part off by not admitting having both ears plug'ed in.... wire dangling just becuz all headphones comes in a pair... and u just plug in one and the other one IS dangling.... :-)

Originally posted by Golden_Eternity
They probably wouldn't know until they pulled you over for something, but when they see too wires dangling down, or once you take off your helmet...

Same rule applies to earplugs... I ignore it, though... There's so much wind noise in my helmet, that I figure anything the earplugs block would have been obscured by the wind anyway, and more importantly, its my freaking hearing. My dad is deaf from being a helicopter pilot, I don't want to be sitting around the table at christmas time shouting 'huh?!' back and forth with him.

[stough]

My own solution $50 -$100 in parts for a $500 value. This system will replace much more expensive AutoCom or Chatterbox systems which run $500 or more.

This subject caught my eye because I happen to be building a solution for this exact problem. There is a guy at work (geek) who made one of these and sent me the schematics. I have not built it yet but have bought parts for four (4) which I plan to give as X-mas gifts. I don't plan on producing and selling these, but I do plan on making a real nice web page describing the process...

Here's my current cut. By no means final...

DIY Intercom Audio Setup (http://www.ginkoleaf.net/SV650/Write-ups/intercom/Intercom.html)

I'll keep you up to date...

Later,
Tim.

Can you tell that I'm a :geek: engineer too?

[Motofrenzy]

I use a GMRS X1 with my mp3 player and it works great and sounds very good.

Paul

[jicko]

@ $299..... a bit pricy!!

Originally posted by Motofrenzy
I use a GMRS X1 with my mp3 player and it works great and sounds very good.

Paul

[bwarbiany]

Anyone have a recommendation (actual part numbers) of decent quality earbud phones that fit under a helmet comfortably? Anything under $50 is fine...

Brad

[pcperks]

I talked with a guy getting on his Busa that had some cool looking ear phones and I asked him where he found them. He told me he had gone to Fry's and bought the smallest cheapest pair he could find and then used swimmers wax to mold the pieces into his ears for a nice snug fit. I guess it doubles as both head phones and ear plugs and keeps the wind noise from drowning out your toons. I'm thinking about trying it but have no idea where to find swimmers wax.

Phil

[3_AM]

By swimmer's wax I think he just meant silicon earplugs. That's what I used when I swam in school. You can get silicon earplugs in some drug stores or even the pharmacy or sporting goods section of Target or K-mart sometimes...

Seems like a good idea. I'll have to try it.

[bwarbiany]

I just bought some Koss earbuds from Best Buy (unfortunately about $25, but I'll tell you why) today... They have foam on them that fits into your ear just like normal earplugs, and a hollow tube which allows only the sound to get through. Thus, they'll cut down on the wind noise... I haven't had much chance to try them, but they seem to be fairly comfortable under a helmet...

As someone else said though, these things are a pain to get the helmet over and keep in place when putting it on... I'll have to see if I can find a way around that (duct tape :D )...

Brad

[SVSRyder]

Well.. I've never done it with a helmet, but in the army we had the soft foam ones that, as you put them in (just before) you twist them while squeezing and they expand once in the ear (ya..it may be the obvious thing to do..but im only saying just in case they dont know) and they will stay pretty well. from putting on knit caps entirely over your head, to a full on FTX or airdrop. the shit wont fall out until you pull them out.

though..it takes a bit of practice to get used to them and they do signifigantly reduce your sound perception...but hell..no wind =p

[daikon38]

I actually made a helmet speaker system.

It's really easy.

I took apart an old clip-on style headphone.
Removed the cheekpads from my Arai Signet/GT.
Placed the disassembled headphone for the right channel in the ear groove of the right cheekpad, and the same was done for the left channel.
Thread the connection wire through the helmet.

Plug the connection wire into whatever portable music device you have, and you're done.

[Grunthos]

One of the most important aspects of any long distance travel, at least for my comfort, has always been music. I need to have tunes with me if I'm going to be doing anything for an extended period of time. As my current Irvine - San Jose trips seem to run a minimum of 5 1/2 hours each way (usually longer... occasionally much longer), audio of some sort was going to be nearly as important as an aftermarket seat.

I did a lot of research and found quite a number of different solutions...

Firstly, there was the old standby of a portable audio device and headphones. Being thoroughly paranoid I decided that this was not an option since I couldn't find a way to logical way to explain the presence of headphones to a cop were I to be pulled over. Furthermore, at one point I talked myself into doing it and found it extremely discomforting to be suddenly unable to hear either the wind or cars around me along with the nagging feeling that one of the ear buds was continually falling out. That idea was promptly circular filed.

Second, I found some guys that made little handlebar mounted waterproof speakers that were self amplified. They came in neat chrome housings that were very securely mounted (ie: hard to steal) and I thought that might be the way to go. Put the walkman in the tank bag and just run the input from the speakers to the tankbag. The price for these little babies was around $340 A PIECE :eek: though. Furthermore, I didn't really see any way of mounting them on the bike without having them impact the Givi A750 Windscreen, consequently screwing with my ability to turn. Even though they are hard to steal, I figured someone could also just come along and rip the bastards off anyway without care for torque values, chrome, guages, knocking the bike over. Again... I didn't think this was wise

Thirdly, there was the option of mounting high fidelity headphones inside the helmet. While most likely technically still illegal, I thought perhaps that would allow me to hear the music along with ambient sounds so that I could find a mixture of the two that I would find safe. Unfortunately, I just can't think of a way to put anything inside my helmet that wouldn't make me feel like I was going to give myself an aural speaker insertion if, for some reason, I went down and used my helmet for it's intended purpose. Research continued.

Finally, I was browsing through JC Whitney online (they have a bit of a sport bike section but nothing to gawk at) and came across an amazing solution. It is the Shoreline International Waterproof Stereo Sound System. In essence, it is a high strength nylon bag (although not baggy at all), that is mounted around some very rigid foam. Inside the foam rest a Jensen amplifier and a pair of Poly Planar 5" marine grade speakers. A pair of zippers run around the side of the housing to come together at the point that would be facing your belly button from which extends a waterproof power connector. On top of the housing is a little elastic net area for putting your favorite music device (more on those options later), and a stereo mini plug that snakes up through the nylon. At the top (as you can see in the pics), are the two speakers staring at you, with a silicon rubber covered power switch in between them. Along with the sound system, a wiring harness is supplied that I ran down between the seat and the gas tank to bolt securely to the battery posts. Very easy to do (provided the dealer hasn't sold you a new bike with stripped out alan head screws on the little plastic cover over the seat screws :( ).

http://www.jcwhitney.com/images/imagecache/I25194.gif
http://www.jcwhitney.com/images/imagecache/I25195.gif

Before heading on... here are the specs...

Jensen XA222 Amplifier
2-channel
88 Watt
22W RMS at 4 Ohm
Manufacturer's Page (http://www.jensen.com/car_electronics.aspx?ProductID=149&SubCategoryID=2&CategoryID=1)


Poly Planar MA4050
5" Dual Cone Marine Speaker
Max Power: 40 Watt
Impedance: 4 Ohm
Poly Planar Homepage (http://www.polyplanar.com)

I discovered this device a couple days before my first ride up north, so I jumped on it, spent the money and had JC Whitney overnight it to me at work, which was my departure point. I purchased the "Magnetic Cruiser" version since I didn't know if the extended flap at the bottom of the sport bike version would work so well with the upright sitting position of the SV I bought. It arrived the day of my trip so, eagerly, I went downstairs into the building parking garage to install it. Using only the tools provided with the bike, I got the power harness on (prying the seat this way and that due to the aforementioned stripped head). I placed the kit on the tank, plugged it in, hooked up an MP3 player, turned it all on and pressed play to the disturbing sound of nothing. Not even a hiss. Having run out of time, I hopped on the bike and headed up north with the sound of 100 dB wind in my ears the whole way. Further investigation that weekend would find a blown 32A fuse. After replacing that fuse, again, no sound issued forth. So... I dorve back south that following monday with the same 100 dB wind following me.

At this point, I should describe the packaging. JC Whitney sent this nearly $400 piece of equipment in a cardboard box that was half filled with crumpled newspaper. Among the crumpled newspaper was a crumpled piece of paper ( Official Version (http://www.shorelineinternational.com/pdf/180_day_warranty.pdf) complete with bad phone numbers) from the manufacturer telling me how to get support and warranty information. No installation or handling instructions really beyond "don't turn it up to loud for the first 30 min so that the speakers can get broken in". I really have no idea how banged around that thing got in such crap packaging, but sufficeth to say, I won't buy from JC Whitney again (so it's a good thing I don't own my '73 VW Bug anymore!)

Using the crumpled paper, I called the manufacturer and left a message on what seemed to be a home answering machine. Which it was. All their support documentation that has been shipped (and to my knowledge still ships), is misprinted with the phone number of some poor woman in Burlington, CT. Not knowing this, I left a message. Within a couple of minutes, my call was returned by said woman who decided to call me back because I was the most professional sounding of all the irrate messages that had been left on her machine. She was FURIOUS. Apparently, she gets calls for Shoreline support at least 10 times a day. She had never heard of the company and said that the street listed in the warranty inforamation doesn't even exist in Burlington. My fear was starting to grow.

Eventually, I called the 800 number listed on their website (once I found it), and spoke with the owner of the company. Apparently, a number of units had shipped that had the wiring harness crimped backwards. + to -. He asked if I would check to see if this was the case and sure enough, looking at the connection, the red wire suddenly turned black after connection and vice versa. He shipped one to me overnight the same day and told me to try it out, and if it worked, to send the old one back. I have to admit, this was a really cool thing for him to do, since he could forced me to ship the broken unit back before replacing it. Furthermore, despite the fact that the warranty information is mistyped and it seems as though this business is run out of a garage, the owner was very helpful and understanding.

The new unit arrived and I replaced the wiring harness. It worked perfectly.

In city traffic and in rush hour on the 405, this thing works like a charm. Even with the full face helmet visor completely closed, at about 1/2 volume on my player, I can hear it crystal clear. As I accelerate up to around 65 I do need to turn the volume up steadily. At about 80, the wind competes so aggressively for my hearing that the player needs to be turned up to near distortion levels. However, I find it better than nothing at all, and much safer than ear buds on my northward jaunts. The bit of canyon carving I've been able to do isn't anywhere NEAR those speeds so the tunes sound miraculous (for you uber geeks out there... imagining carving turns while listening to the asteroid chase music from Empire Strikes Back... it is, at this time, appropriate to giggle like a school girl); and as I said, in city traffic, it works beautifully too. Don't expect a lot of bass, these speakers are definately midrange at best... but since we dont' ride around on massive HD / Goldwings / Valkyries / Whatever that Rune Honda Monstrosity Is that have four acres of fairing to mount a Dobly Surround System that goes to 11 in, it does just fine for me.

My only complaint really lies in two areas. The on/off switch is very difficult to work with gloves on. I just wind up jabbing at it repeatedly to shut the thing off. The silicon rubber housing over the switch tends to bind up against it keeping it turned on even though it looks like it's off. I try to turn it off before pulling into gas stations on I-5 since i don't want to blow everyone away with my tunes (I'm courteous that way). Secondly, it would be great to provide a volume slider of some sort (although that might be a player issue) that is easily operable with gloves on. This is definately something I'll be tackling once I no longer spend my weekends riding continuously and have time to work up some improvements.

Unfortunately, at some point, the left speaker quit on me during my last trip up north two weeks ago. I'm still investigating the cause but I suspect I simply blew it out with five and a half hours of top volume (I should have known better).

All in all, this thing is really great. The magnetic version let's me just turn it off, unplug the power and take it with me when I leave the bike and is small enough that I can carry it by it's strap along with my helmet comfortably in one hand. I don't know about the system with the straps although with some judicious use of quick connects, it would be just as easy to remove as a pair of saddle bags.

Before I continue on to the subject of players, let me say that I know NOTHING about auto sound systems. I can't tell if those ratings for the amp and speakers are really any good at all and I hope that someone on the list here knows how to improve on this while keeping the form factor.

I initially thought I would use my 20GB Archos Jukebox (http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500277.html) with the sound system. This has proven entirely useless. That damn thing is so sensitive to vibration (I understand it's a harddrive and my expectations were low on the shock survival scale) that I couldn't even keep it in the inside pocket of my jacket with huge hunks of foam rubber banded to it and keep it from flashing "I/O Error" every 3 songs.

My next attempt was my old standby discman. It has something along the lines of 30 second shock protection, but the vibrations, again, kicked that things ass. I could step up to the next level and purchase the uber-shock absorbent Sony Sport model but if I'm gonna spend $120.00 on something I'm gonna buy something else... and that thing is...

The RCA 128MB Lyra (http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI700587-CI700284,00.html?) RCA 128MB Lyra memory based MP3 player. This thing does the trick nicely! 128MB on board memory along with an SD/MMC slot that will expand to whatever size card you stick in it (don't worry about the "Max upgradeable memory" spec... they just put the largest memory that's currently available there). I got it in a bundle with a 128MB card via Circuit City (again, I always buy these things the day before my trips for some reason and need to either overnight ship things or do instore pickup... I need to plan better). It uses MusicMatch software, which I already had from the Archos, so I was familiar with it. Alternatively, Windows 2000 instantly recognizes it (if you've been updating your software with windows update) and just adds it as another drive (or two drives if you have a memory card in it). Just drag and drop MP3 files to it and you are ready to go. The benefit to using MusicMatch only really lies in the ability to take files from your hard drive and compress them further when transferring to your player which increases the amount of music you can cram onto the sucker. The only problem I have with it lies it it's complete lack of support for play lists.

The buttons are easy to use without gloves on... with gloves, they get a little problematic, but in my case, I just turn the bastard on and leave it on until I turn the bike off. Use the random setting and it's almost as good as a playlist, but good luck trying to listen to Dark Side of the Moon. The volume buttons can be worked with gloves, but you better be going straight as an arrow with no one around you because you HAVE to take your eyes off the road to find them. I would refer you to my note about about a volume slider.

So... that's the litany of my experience with motorcycle sound equipment. I look forward to anyone that can suggest improvements in the Amp / Speaker arena since I don't think the marine grade speakers are absolutely necessary (the system came with an elastic / draw string bag to put around it when it's raining). The owner said he has a new set that comes with Sony Xplode speakers that have much better bass response but that was another $100 or so.

Currently, first three songs randomly played are...

Trip Like I Do - The Crystal Method
T.N.T. - AC/DC
Woke Up This Morning - AC3

Dan

[bwarbiany]

Sounds like a good piece... One question, do you wear earplugs when you ride? I would highly suggest it, especially for long jaunts like heading up north. I expect you'd actually still be able to hear your tunes without a problem, it'll attenuate all sounds about equally... But ear damage is no joke on a bike... The wind noise will literally destroy your hearing.

When I did listen to tunes, I used to use an MP3 player with some headphones that had integrated earplugs. This was nice in that the earplugs would attenuate wind noise, and the audio was pumped straight through (by a plastic tube), so you didn't have to crank the volume. All told though, I didn't like it much. Besides the fact it's illegal, I also found that it was really distracting to try to listen to music while riding, especially in heavy LA traffic. And the headphones always feel like they're about to come out of your ears, and the wires to the headphones will get moved all over the place any time you do a blind-spot check to change lanes...

I think the piece you bought would solve all those problems, but I don't ride long distance often enough to make it worthwhile, and I'm usually needing total concentration in the twisties... Good luck with it though! Sounds like it's really nice...

[Tillers_Rule]

I dont listen to music when I ride, I think it would be too distracing. Like Brad said, I'd rather beable to hear my bike and keep an ear out for any signs of trouble.

[Grunthos]

Yeah... I have to admit... if I was running up some twisties and laying over from side to side, I wouldn't be paying attention to the tunes anyway, and probably wouldn't be too thrilled with having something on the tank in front of me, speakers or otherwise.

However, for instance... in northern California we used to do a regular run down Hwy 1 (what you people down here call the PCH... why must you turn all freeways into proper nouns here?) from San Francisco to whenever you wanted to turn around, nothing too fast, beautiful scenery, nothing approaching peg scraping. I would have loved to have had this then.

(Motorcycle + Coastline) / Tom Petty = Bliss

[GetnJgyWitit]

nice review. I know it is illegal, but you really should wear earplugs on your rides. If your ears are exposed to 85db's for long periods of time hearing damage starts to kick in. Plus you can hear your music better.:D

[massivegman]

Expensive but how nice would it be to own.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=LupikMDQZAdisID4Nppom4_Bq-96CX0tMrU=?CategoryName=pa_Headphones_NoiseCanceli ng&ProductSKU=MDRNC11&Dept=pa

On the freeway i cant hear anything discernable anyway. Why not trade white deafening noise to tranquility. These of course dont zone out everything so you can get some surrounding noise.

[Knightshade]

I usually have "Danger Zone" rattling through my head when I'm riding....it helps me concentrate to have some type of music running through my head because otherwise, my mind tends to shoot off in a million different directions thinking about different things.

I don't need to actually hear it, just having it in the my noggin is enough.

[Slaughter]

Here's a cool discussion on modifying earbuds:

http://www.ducatigirl.com/grab_bag/earbuds.html

You ought to read some of Zina's Ducati stuff for laughs. She does PR work for Ducati Corse and races at Willow. Funnier than a sneeze in a full face helmet!

[NukleoN]

The tank-mounted speaker system thing sounds pretty cool...I definitely wouldn't use earbugs since I would find the benefit of music to be less valuable than blocking the wind noise and saving what's left of my hearing. Using earplugs with the speakers on the tank sounds like a great compromise.

Thanks for the thorough review!

[corsastrada]

I'm getting one of these. I have researched Chatterbox, MotoComm, AutoCom and this one the StarCom 1 and this one wins.

http://www.tecstar.co.uk/comms/index.htm

[bloodclot]

thats kinda coincidental. i just saw an add for those in a magizine and was thinking about them. let us know how much the end cost is and how well they work.

[Unit 91]

I use an iPod with one SURE ear bud in place. Works for me. Legally you can have one ear listening to music or whatever, but not both. I only use it when I'm on longer rides, not all the time.
I don't wear earplugs either, seeing as how I can't hear for shit anyway. Oh well.

[Aeteocles]

Noise cancelling earphones are a great idea....except that they probably won't work "normally" while riding.

They way they work is that a sensor (usually halfway down cord, in a little box or something) senses ambient noise, and then produces the opposite frequency and volume to cancel that noise.

Wind noise while riding is caused by wind buffeting on your helmet and whistling through crack and air vents in your helmet.

Unless the sensor is IN your helmet, and the sound caused by such buffeting on the helmet is identicle on both sides of the helmet (left and right ears) then noise cancellation won't work.

Now, if you folks wanna talk about it, I've got some neat ideas for integrated noise cancellation within the helmet ;)

Joe

[Sinaz]

Reposted this speil with illustrations! page 4!

[No_Brakes23]

That sounds like a great idea, but I bought an FM modulator in '97, and it sucked. But, on the strength of your reccomendation, I'll try a new one. Sounds like a good idea. Anybody have any ideas for killing vibration so the CD player will work? Besides getting an MP3 player?

[BioTek]

Got the Koss "The Plug" today at Best Buy.
In principle it should work. So, I got on my bike and went for a quick spin to try 'em out and report back.
They fit in pretty well, much like a foam earplug, (I have ALWAYS had problems wearing headphones/plugs with my helmets as they fall out when I put it on), the foam plug helps to hold 'em in (kinda) as I put my helmet on but they did get pulled out a bit. The sound quality is really good, plugged into my cd player which I slipped into my tank bag.
I turned it up deliberately loud for once I got rolling, the bass was killer! :D
Well,sound quality is great up to 60mph, above that it starts to drop off, tended to lose the bass but treble and vocals still ok.
I had in Stings latest album and track 5 is really bass driven with the usual Sting kinda lyrical sound, basically I blasted between the Governor and Nobel on/off ramp up to 105mph and could still hear the vocals and treble, bass was gone but at 105 with some additional wind noise I was impressed.
Got home, took off my helmet and unfortunately it felt like the plug was either gonna take my ear off or get shredded at the cable connection.1 plug fell out the side and the other stayed in the helmet. That part was a pain in the ass but I will persevere with it for now.
I believe the Rocketmate headset I ordered has a cord to plug a musical/other device in so that'll naturally take over in the end.

[pinhead875]

hmm, thanks for that. I went to Best Buy and they didn't have any in stock. I might see if Target has them tomorrow.
Best Buy does have the Sony ones, but they are $40.
What is this Rocketmate you are speaking of?
Jeff

[BioTek]

The Sony ones look sweet,if I thought they'd work better I'd get 'em.
The Rocketmate is a 2 way radio headset with facility for music device to be hooked up,check out the Chatterbox thread for info.

[shwurr]

I've tried lots of combos to get good tunes with sound isolation. I even made custom molds. I didn't like the Koss speakers as a project base as much as Sony. I'm currently most happy with the Sony "in the ear,little rubber mushroom style". I cut 1/3 of a foam earplug and burn a small hole in center then stretch on in place of removed rubber mushroom. Most quiet and comfortable yet with great sound. For more security, pack swimmers wax ear plug stuff around plug in ear.
BTW I found most wind noise was from under helmet around neck. I made a horse collar contraption out of a motocross neck pad thingie. Replace foam with soft, closed cell type, wear with opening to back to reduce worst wind noise about 75%.

Steve

[slowmike]

I just started using a koss plug with added earplugs.. Freaking amazing... It cuts out a lot of the ambient noise, wind, tires, engine, exhaust. You can hear horns and you can hear sirens. My mp3 player goes from 0-25 in volume I can ride with the volume turned to about 7-10 and it sounds great.

Crystal clear highs, wonderful bass. I heard about how to do it while looking around on google for a place to buy a pair of Etymotic ER4P's, for 1/10the the price these are 9/10th of the performance..

http://www.fixup.net/tips/earbud/30db_sealed_earphone.htm

[fatrat]

Thanks for the info Mike. Are they comfortable with helmet on?

[slowmike]

It's very comfortable. I've owned a bunch of different headphones (sony, sennhause, grado, etc) and for a tick over $20 these (with the foam modded) is up there with the best of them.

Before this I've been using the Sony MDR-EX71's and the Sennheiser MX-500 (and MX-5) before that. I wear a cotton Balaclava undr my helmet which cuts down on sweat, windnoise and makes getting the helment on and off w/o dammaging the headphones much easier.

[pinhead875]

I tries those Koss Plug's.
Didn't like them at all.
Hurt my ears.
Stuck out too much, helmet puched them into my head.
Returned them.
:|

[slowmike]

pull the stock foam off, get some real earplugs (the kind that block out noise), pop a hole through them so you can put the middle of the headphone through. Stock the Koss's suck; once modified; they are wonderful...

[Sinaz]

Alrighty, I've been riding with my sound system for nearly 5 months now. I decided to post a more detailed explanation, and my thoughts (pro's and con's) on it.

http://www.jonathanstraw.com/common/socalsvriders/wireless_gear.jpg
wee l'il diagram

This says it all. Beginning with my HJC helmet, I took a pair of Sony CD Series headphones (20.00) and tore them apart, running the wiring through the padding, gluing both the speakers and the foam padding over my earflaps.

The jack on the phones exits out the back of the left cheek pad where I can tuck it in when not in use.

The jack plugs into a Coby FM tuner (20.00) that I adhered industrial strength velcro (hook side) to. The FM Tuner attaches to the back neck pad on the helmet. I put the felt on the helmet so it wouldn't snag on clothes.

The Coby FM tuner recieves transmissions from the Belkin broadcast (30.00) unit at freqs 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7. Belkin makes a second generation version of it's transmitter that has a digital readout capable of broadcasting the complete FM band.

The broadcast unit is plugged into an iRiver MP3/CD player (90.00-190.00 booyah!) that stays in my backpack. I run the remote control onto a clip on my right shoulder strap so I can tweak it at stop lights.

Ultimately, I want to wire a 12v adapter to my cargo space so I can run the broadcaster and mp3 player off the generator. If I can find an extender cable, I'll run the remote up to my headset and make it a permanent fixture.

http://www.jonathanstraw.com/common/socalsvriders/helmet1.jpg
Helmet with the tuner in place.

http://www.jonathanstraw.com/common/socalsvriders/helmet2.jpg
Very low profile vs. the chatterbox.

PRO's

Wireless! No connection between helmet and music device.
Easily concealable when not in use.
Sound is loud and clear- I only use about 60% of the volume.
Each device has a button lock so settings don't change while riding.
Road sounds audible.
Everything runs on 15 min. rayovac rechargers. VERY conveniant and economical.
Good range in clear airwaves- other drivers have said they can recieve it up to around 50ft away.


CON's

Volume controls are a little cumbersome til you memorize the layout of the tuner.
Speakers permanent in padding- can't wash the cheek pads with the helmet. (I'll fix that soon.)
Cumbersome to swap stations during interference. (I'll fix that when I mount it to bike.)
Long rides much more enjoyable- gf never gets to see me.


P.S.- although I compare it to the Chatterbox, I hope to make a version that can co-exist with a walkie talkie so I can get in on some chatterbox convos-- I doubt I'll ever be able to bring myself to pay the price for one of those chatterboxes.

[doub1etap]

Originally posted by slowmike
pull the stock foam off, get some real earplugs (the kind that block out noise), pop a hole through them so you can put the middle of the headphone through. Stock the Koss's suck; once modified; they are wonderful...

Damn that's a good idea. The last remaining challenge is the fact that it hurts so much to take the helmet off with plugs in.

[slowmike]

Cotton balaclava.. I have a spare that you're welcome to try out sometime. I started wearing fire retardent ones while racing and really got use to having one under the helmet. Seeing as how catching fire isn't really a concern for us I went to a cotton one. No sweaty heads, funky helmets; kinda like a gasket for your head.

With the balaclava on taking the helmet off doen't put stress on the headphones (or your head). Incidentally, I would not recomend trying in ear headphones that go in a ways unless you've got some trick way of getting them off before trying to pull your helmet off..

Originally posted by doub1etap
Damn that's a good idea. The last remaining challenge is the fact that it hurts so much to take the helmet off with plugs in.

[Doubleup16]

I was thinking of playing some music on my headphones on a ride coming up and was wondering if its legal or not. Does anyone do this?

[SV Crazy RJ]

I believe they are illegal because you might not be able to hear an emergency vehichle or another vehichle honking.

It's hard to ride with earphones anyway because when you're riding at high speeds it's hard to hear the music (due to wind noise and exhaust). When you slow down or stop, the music will be blaring!

Just my $0.02

[Aeteocles]

There has been some legislation passed that allows motor vehicle operators to wear ear plugs now.

Get quality ear buds that seal off your ear and they act as ear plugs too...so you don't have to turn the volume up.

Still don't know of listening to music is illegal or not though.

[Tillers_Rule]

I would it's illegal if you have a headphone in each ear, but as long as you have nothing in one ear then it's fine.

[920m]

Don't they give licenses to deaf people? I can't think of a good reason why that law is on the books. It's kinda like brail on drive-up ATM's.

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.

[Ikazuchi]

I installed phones in my helmet behind the cheak pads. Sounds great up until about 80mph. I would see the "bud" phones as illegal (at least when earplugs were) but not speakers since they don't block the ear. I still hear sirens, horns, etc just fine as well as just road/engine noise from other vehicles.

[savetherock]

I got pulled over once and had buds on and I was told that I better had been only listening to one (grammar any one?) cause it was against the law to ride with phones in both ears. I didn't get in any trouble, and I never thought much about it after that besides not putting both in.

Oh and 920, I actually wondered that for a while in high school. So I called a number on one of them and asked. They said they all come out of the factory the same, some to be put in walls and some to be put in drive through's.

[racinteach]

I have a special pair of ear plugs that are tuned to block out only high wind noise...they are legal since we can have a conversation without yelling

[sandie]

Originally posted by 920m

(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.


this was the part that was added in january i believe...and the custom plug makers will put some earbud like dealies in the plugs so you can plug them into your personal music playing device...and they SAY that as long as you don't turn the music WAY UP, you can still hear outside noise...but not like wind and road noise...the bad thing is, they charge like 250 for the custom plugs WITH speaker devices. they're only $40 w/o


oh, this is something you can have made at the long beach moto show if you're interested

[Sinaz]

Oh speaking of which! Since I've been in an accident now while wearing my helmet with all the sound gear built in-- I have to say it held up really really well in terms of safety...

Now I hate to be my own guinea pig for the experiment-- but the none of the internal components came lose or impeded the cushioning of my head. The chord stayed safely stowed in the pads, and the radio unit sheared clean off the helmet upon impact.

I'll be building a new sound system into my new helmet-- helmet laws be damned! (except for the ones about wearing 'em.)

[Doubleup16]

Thanks for all the info. I will now at least know that I'm breaking the law. Maybe I'll install speakers like Sinaz and Ikazuchi did. That sounds pretty :cool:

[Mizatt]

Maybe I'm just crazy, but I wear both headphones sometimes on the ride to work, I have the kind that clip over the back of your ear, and are ergonomically shaped. Sony I think. I can hear plenty of road noise, and damn it's nice to have some James Brown to accompany you on your journey!

[Slaughter]

Originally posted by Aeteocles
There has been some legislation passed that allows motor vehicle operators to wear ear plugs now.

Get quality ear buds that seal off your ear and they act as ear plugs too...so you don't have to turn the volume up.

Still don't know of listening to music is illegal or not though.

Listening to Lawrence Welk and some forms of Polka is illegal - with the exception of certain jurisdictions and counties of Minnesota and Wisconsin. I think in Minnesota, as long as the music is accompanied by an accordion and/or tuba, it's legal.

Of course, check your local laws - they can vary significantly county to county.

[Savage]

So couple riders I've talked to have told me they listen to an MP3 player while they ride. I kinda thought that was sketchy, but apparently 'if you only have one earphone in, you can still hear cars around you'.

Anyways, anyone else ride while listening to music?

what about implanting the headphones into your helmet?

[benz_bikes]

I have an earphone (mono only one earphone) that I use while riding. It connects to my mp3 player / phone. I have more problems hearing the music and incoming calls than the traffic. I have the inline volume control on my jacket so I can turn it down in traffic and at lower speeds (less wind noise). Most of the helmets I have seen have pockets for earphones. I would prefer that because and earbud is uncomfortable after a while in a snug helmet. The important thing is easy access to the volume.

[stingray]

personally, if i rode on the street, i wouldn't wear anything other than earplugs. exhaust note is enough "music" to my ears.

[RedAggie03]

The HJC's have pockets for headphones - I just tore up some old sony's that I had and stuck them in there and wired up a plug that sicks out of the helmet by my chin. I hook it up to my Roady 2 XM Satellite Radio and it ROCKS!

[racinteach]

I use sony mini ear buds in teh ear...music not to loud, and they act like ear plugs by just eliminating some noise...can still hear sirens and traffic...as well as music...

[Ikazuchi]

I found some $1.50 headphones on eBay...bought a few sets. I tried the bud-type headphones before...they ended up hurting my earsbeing jammed in there....also painful when putting the helmet on or off.

Took the speakers off the plastic and they stuck nicely in my arai.

I can crank up my iPod all the way and still hear most cars around me. Wind noise makes it difficult to hear above 75mph.

If you listen to music in your car..why not on the bike?

[newbie]

Originally posted by racinteach
I use sony mini ear buds in teh ear...music not to loud, and they act like ear plugs by just eliminating some noise...can still hear sirens and traffic...as well as music...


Same here....I use them in both ears. The sony's are the only ones that fit well under my helmet and the new ones have the interchangable rubber fittings so you can get a snug fit in your ear.

When I first rode with both it was kind of awkward and busy. I had trouble focusing on the road and riding. But now I have grown used to it and the music really helps me get along with the commute...I usually find myself singing along. :D

BTW...I can still hear sirens, horns, and my bike just fine with them.

[agirls]

There are also thin speakers out there that you put in the helmet instead of using ear buds.

[Ikazuchi]

Originally posted by agirls
There are also thin speakers out there that you put in the helmet instead of using ear buds.

The Labtec Curve-460 is what I used for my helmet. The speakers pop right out of the plastic and are maybe 3/8" thick.

[Zombiesai]

I've tried using speakers in the helmet...but you couldn't her very well..and even cranked way up it was impossible to hear above say 60 (if only my damned micron wasn't so gloriously robust).

and bud type..headphones are impossible to keep in my ears.


is there a trick to getting it all to work? im especialy interested in earbuds...they are the type i like the most..but just can't get them to stay in....for putting the helmet on..or simply having the cord get pulled at some point

[Sinaz]

Originally posted by Zombiesai

is there a trick to getting it all to work? im especialy interested in earbuds...they are the type i like the most..but just can't get them to stay in....for putting the helmet on..or simply having the cord get pulled at some point

Try wearing a balaclava over your head.

[jatt559]

120W amp....

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3461/27ug.jpg


4 tweeters, 2 on each side and 4 speakers again 2 on each side.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8913/46mb.jpg

[enos79]

Originally posted by Zombiesai
I've tried using speakers in the helmet...but you couldn't her very well..and even cranked way up it was impossible to hear above say 60 (if only my damned micron wasn't so gloriously robust).

and bud type..headphones are impossible to keep in my ears.


is there a trick to getting it all to work? im especialy interested in earbuds...they are the type i like the most..but just can't get them to stay in....for putting the helmet on..or simply having the cord get pulled at some point

I use THE PLUG earphones from Koss. The work GREAT on the motorcycle!

jatt559-

Where did you mount the main speakers?!? Is that a 4 channel amp? How does the electrical system handle the extra 10 amp load on it? I'm a bit of a car stereo fanatic and have thought about something on the bike but just dismissed it as not worth it... How does the system sound?

[newbie]

Originally posted by Zombiesai
I've tried using speakers in the helmet...but you couldn't her very well..and even cranked way up it was impossible to hear above say 60 (if only my damned micron wasn't so gloriously robust).

and bud type..headphones are impossible to keep in my ears.


is there a trick to getting it all to work? im especialy interested in earbuds...they are the type i like the most..but just can't get them to stay in....for putting the helmet on..or simply having the cord get pulled at some point

The new sony bud type earphones have interchangable pieces that will fit any ear, so it should help your problem. Although they are $50...but I think worth the price.

[jatt559]

Originally posted by enos79
I use THE PLUG earphones from Koss. The work GREAT on the motorcycle!

jatt559-

Where did you mount the main speakers?!? Is that a 4 channel amp? How does the electrical system handle the extra 10 amp load on it? I'm a bit of a car stereo fanatic and have thought about something on the bike but just dismissed it as not worth it... How does the system sound?

I think its a 2 channel amp... not sure, you can pick these small amps from Kragen, AutoZone.

One main speaker is mounted with front signal inside the fairing.... for other I had to drill one hole and then I used zippers as you can see the pic (same for other side). I haven't seen any problems with extra 10 amps.

I don't know how long the battery will last if the bike is shut off. I've put an on/off button for amp.... when my friend and I were installing this, it took us about 2 hours to do this and his bikes system was on for the whole time, so after 2 hours his bike started with out any problems... so my guess is the battery should last for 3 hours or so? :D

Oh yeah... I can hear pretty well up to 65 or so... it can be loud but that depends on your device. I use ipod shuffle and it doesn't have EQ. One of my friend have device with EQ and I tested that on my bike and it was pretty loud.


http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3607/16zg2.jpg

here is a better pic of on/off switch for amp.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5263/switch2xp.jpg

[Ikazuchi]

Hey jatt... I think it's time to clean and oil that chain :D

[jatt559]

oh ya thats an old pic.... its all done now.:p

[Punkbrad]

i just bought these, and imma see how they sound. they look okay, and most of my riding isnt on the freeway, its on surface streets. these speakers paired with my MP3 player on my arm should be cool, ill let ya'all know how is goes.. they are super thin and mount inside the helmet in the little "pockets" where your ears go. they are lined in velvet so they are soft if your ears actually touch them... they were cheap enough to give a whirl, if they suck, ill figure something else out.

they were 20 bux shipped on eGay. should get them today or tomorrow.

[TheWoodser]

I have been debating the same things. I have an XM radio reciever and have debated installing it to the left of the speedo on my SVS.

Brad, I want a full report on those helmet speakers when you get them. Ear Buds kill my ears.

By the way my Icon Timax jacket has a small pocket inside that my MP3 player fits in like it was made for it!!

Thanks
"TheWoodser"
www.Woodser.com

[Burke]

etymotic labs er6i earbuds... Best on the planet for riding. A bit expensive but better than anything I have tried so far. Look for them on e-bay or amazon. They'll run you around $80.00 or so but I thnk they are worth it.

[Punkbrad]

Full Report:

The fit is very good. i do not feel them against my ears, but they are RIGHT there, aiming at my earholes.

The mounting was fairly easy, with only one place they can fit in my RF-1000 i put the velcro pad in the middle of that little area, and test fit a few times moving the speaker into position (did this for both sides). i ran the wires under the fabric and safety pinned it in the back so it doesnt get hung up on anything. the cable goes over my sholder into the front pocket of my jacket.

they are LOUD. loud as i want them to be anyway... they work good. with a little speed the wind shitsles a bit, but less than without the speakers as the wind is broken up now by the fabric of the covers..

overall: i like them, and for 20 bux shipped... FINE!

i am going to get one of those armband holders and try that on my forearm like the predator, and see how that goes...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/punkbradspix/helmetspeaker01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/punkbradspix/helmetspeaker02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/punkbradspix/helmetspeaker03.jpg

[TheForce02]

Originally posted by Burke
etymotic labs er6i earbuds... Best on the planet for riding. A bit expensive but better than anything I have tried so far. Look for them on e-bay or amazon. They'll run you around $80.00 or so but I thnk they are worth it.

Was it my review that got you to buy those?

Glad you like them if that is the case. I did another long ride the other month and was glad to have them with me.

[DDELFIERRO]

Anybody here catch flak for wearing earphones while stopped?

Wearing of Headsets or Earplugs

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.

Amended Sec. 45, Ch. 594, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004.

I don't know how one would convince a Judge that a set of in-helmet headphones over both ears don't violate section 27400. I doubt that they'll buy the argument that your aftermarket exhaust is so loud that you need to cover both ears and/or mask the sound with music. I'd also hate to hack up a set of Etymotic Labs earbuds to only have 1 earpiece (i.e. clip off the other wire completely) just so I could prove to the cop that only 1 ear could get sound.

[Punkbrad]

[i]

I don't know how one would convince a Judge that a set of in-helmet headphones over both ears don't violate section 27400. I doubt that they'll buy the argument that your aftermarket exhaust is so loud that you need to cover both ears and/or mask the sound with music. I'd also hate to hack up a set of Etymotic Labs earbuds to only have 1 earpiece (i.e. clip off the other wire completely) just so I could prove to the cop that only 1 ear could get sound. [/B]

when i was stopped both times by a bike cop: i removed my helmet, and took out my neon green foam earplugs while he was standing right there. neither ponch nor john said a thing.

the answer was in your post " A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels"

wind noise is injurious. and i heard the siren just fine when i got pulled over. i bet that would stand up. being on a bike, wind whistling, its for our protection from injurious wind noise.

or just tell the judge to fuck off and that you saw his teenage daughter behind the courthouse trading blow jobs for weed from parolees. that will also fix the problem, so i hear.

[Burke]

Originally posted by TheForce02
Was it my review that got you to buy those?

Glad you like them if that is the case. I did another long ride the other month and was glad to have them with me.

It probably was. I know it was someone on this site. I got them and a couple guy here at work now have them also. They really are the best. And the Ear Plugs (Not earphones but the actual plugs only) are great too. Ordered a set of those from the etymotic site directly. I don't ride without one or the other of them...

Chances are you are going to get pulled over for something else and the cop is going to cite you for the earphones then. Usually a judge is going to dismiss that in lieu of the oter violation. I haven't heard of anyone actually getting a ticket for earphones only. It's always tacked on to something else. Kinda like the seat belt law used to be.

[DDELFIERRO]

Originally posted by Punkbrad
when i was stopped both times by a bike cop: i removed my helmet, and took out my neon green foam earplugs while he was standing right there. neither ponch nor john said a thing.

the answer was in your post " A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels"

wind noise is injurious. and i heard the siren just fine when i got pulled over. i bet that would stand up. being on a bike, wind whistling, its for our protection from injurious wind noise.

or just tell the judge to fuck off and that you saw his teenage daughter behind the courthouse trading blow jobs for weed from parolees. that will also fix the problem, so i hear.

But, I'm assuming that the earplugs were not hooked up to any audio devices... So you need not worry about the earplugs as they were probably street-legal anyway if they didn't cut off sirens/horns. The question is whether headphones are legal on the road. I'm inclined to say no.

Personally, I use a set of Koss PLUG headphones with the iPod and swapped out the soft cushions that go into the ear with a modified set of Mack's Ear Seals to direct the sound right into the ear canal. Works well and cheap too.

The earplug question was resolved back in '04 when Senator Bowen had 27400 modified to state: (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. The big modification of '04 was that it originally stated that earplugs must be custom-molded rather than the commericially available foam-type.

Earplugs attenuate noise levels. Headphones increase noise levels and may mask the siren or horn. Therefore, under my interpretation of the law, the only way to get around the law and use headphones over/in both ears while on a bike would be if they were modified earplugs (as I did with the Mack's Ear Seals) or only use one speaker.

The big problem is whether or not the officer would call modified earplugs headphones (which is what I would term them, incidentally) and ticket you if you had them over/in both ears while riding.

[Punkbrad]

very good points indeed!! i appreciate those opinions.

the one thing i like about the speakers is that the unplug really quick, i could darn near get my helmet off and one could never see the wires. there is nothing to "pull" out of my ears as the cops stand behind me.

they are incognito. its been 2 days since i had them, so ill have a long term report at the end of the week.

i like em so far... ! :D