Moto MP3/Audio Q&A Revisited

[witttom]

This topic occasionally pops up here on LocalRiders, but I'm looking to bring it up again. I'm probably gonna catch a little heat, as someone inevitably starts preaching about how music/audio is a bad thing when you're on two wheels. I respect that opinion, and even agree with it to SOME extend, but would still like to listen to the tunes on the longer rides and extended superslab legs.

On with the discussion.... MP3 players. Best thing ever for providing tunes on a motorcycle. Yeah, I know. No big secret there and I'm a bit behind on the technology. Hehe... but I've got a couple things troubling me with using it.

Speakers
I'm not sure if it's the quality of the ear buds I'm using, the shape, the audio clarity, or what... I'm sure my helmet plays a big part in it too, but while travelling at um... shall we say, a few miles over the posted speed limit? ...I have a rough time hearing the music over the wind noise. I've experimented with the volume and have even used it cranked all the way up (a bad thing, IMHO). I end up with a headache (duh!). I've heard several people mention some aftermarket ear buds (and I don't remember what they are). What is everyone using?

Controls
For the mostpart, I just kick it off and let it play, but there are times when I want to adjust the volume, or pause it, or just turn it off for a while (and turn it back on). I can manage (with some difficulty) at 55mph, but at some excessive highways speeds, I've discovered that this is easier said than done. ...and with most of my gloves, its just not gonna happen. I've tried different mounting locations, rigid, strapped to my arm, in my map pocket, etc etc. Nothing seems to work well and it usually ends up in my tankbag, out of sight. Are there some tricks to this?

[Stan C]

Witttom you've just listed all the reasons I stopped trying to listen to music too. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has a better solution. Of course we've all heard Hank Wms from the Goldwing / Harley that passes. I wonder how that sounds while you're in the saddle? Ten feet (2 bike lenghts +/- ) back sounds pretty good in cruise mode. Ear buds cause me to clinch my jaws, when I stop I have a headache from it usually.

[EvilScooby]

Why not try something like this.

Helmet speakers (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycle-Helmet-Speakers-ATV-Stereo-Free-Shipping_W0QQitemZ8064760973QQcategoryZ6749QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem)

[witttom]

Witttom you've just listed all the reasons I stopped trying to listen to music too. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has a better solution. Of course we've all heard Hank Wms from the Goldwing / Harley that passes. I wonder how that sounds while you're in the saddle? Ten feet (2 bike lenghts +/- ) back sounds pretty good in cruise mode. Ear buds cause me to clinch my jaws, when I stop I have a headache from it usually.I had a touring bike that had external speakers, an AM/FM/Cass with controls mounted on the handlebars. It was great. I didn't think I would like it when I first got it, but the automatically adjusted volume (turned itself down when you came to a stop, light, intersection, etc) made it less obnoxious to others. The bike however created your own little atmosphere when going down the road, and my highway speeds and wind noise on that bike were no where near that of the Trophy.

Why not try something like this.

Helmet speakers (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycle-Helmet-Speakers-ATV-Stereo-Free-Shipping_W0QQitemZ8064760973QQcategoryZ6749QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem)I've tried the in-helmet speakers before and they work well (and are confortable) at "Normal" speeds, but once at the higher superslab speeds the audio gets washed out no matter how loud you have it cranked up. I think in-ear speakers are what is needed to filter the external wind noise.

[witttom]

I tried my MP3 Player out again yesterday (yeah, I know it was raining yesterday), varying speeds, different helmet. 55mph was perfectly clear. From 75mph and up, I start losing it. Regardless of the speed, volume, or the helmet I'm wearing, I always seem to get a headache. I'm pretty sure it's the shape of the earphones. I'd go back to the in-helmet type speakers, but then I'll be fighting the wind noise at higher speeds.

A couple friends at the Gap were talking about "Sure" in-ear speakers. Anyone tried these?

[joey11]

I am supposed to buy an MP3 for my wife for mothers day. OUPS. anyways. I have not done that, because I can't decide which one is best. At least that is my excuse as of now. What unit do you guys reccomend or hate for that matter. I would like to spend around 100 bucks or a little more if I can get one that is decent for that price. I have been looking at the Sony beans. with the 1G storage. Any info would be great. Don't you love giving presents that you can use too. I am great at it.

[Fast Eddie]

I have two modes to listen to my IPOD. The first, for short trips, I put the IPOD in a waterproof bag and then into my left breast pocket. I can hit the pause button with it in there. I use the ER 6 ear phones which block out noise and have a great sound quality. They do start to hurt my ears after about 6 hours but it is managable. I do have molded ear plugs but they need a lot of power to get an OK sound. They are much more comfortable. I like this set up since when I get off of my bike the cord is moving with me. In an emergency get off the cord would rip, pull the ears or much worse. This could probably be fixed with a quick disconnect from Radio Shack.

My long distance mode is my powered tank bag. There I have power to my IPOD, V1, and Mix It. The Mix It had inputs for a priority, which the V1 is plugged into and three other inputs with a volume control. I have the IPOD going and if the V1 picks up a bogie it will override the music. You could also hook up an intercom with this but Stephanie doesn't want to talk to me. This keeps everything powered up for a long trip and is easily taken off and carried in with you inside the tank bag. The down side is the cord to the ear buds if there is an emergency get off but could be fixed.

The two things I enjoy most, music and riding is a pleasure on long trips. I've ridden probably over 100K doing this. With the ER 6 I can listen to music clearly and still hear traffic around me, as if I just had earplugs in.

[Omegaman]

FYI, I have the SHURE headphones, and they do deliver better quality then normal, but are not molded and can hurt the ear cartlidge over time.

[witttom]

FYI, I have the SHURE headphones, and they do deliver better quality then normal, but are not molded and can hurt the ear cartlidge over time.Ah. SHURE. Gotcha. :thumbsup I guess that would explain why I've not dug up any good info on SURE headphones. ;)

[witttom]

I am supposed to buy an MP3 for my wife for mothers day. OUPS. anyways. I have not done that, because I can't decide which one is best. At least that is my excuse as of now. What unit do you guys reccomend or hate for that matter. I would like to spend around 100 bucks or a little more if I can get one that is decent for that price. I have been looking at the Sony beans. with the 1G storage. Any info would be great. Don't you love giving presents that you can use too. I am great at it.I bought a cheapie 512MB Rio for $40 several months ago from Walmart. It was the last one they had, clearing them out for the 1GB models. Does everything I need, and I've not really had a need for more than 512GB (although I'm sure 1GB would be better). I'm happy with it. I'm sure some offbrand units can be had for pretty cheap on eBay.

[witttom]

In an emergency get off the cord would rip, pull the ears or much worse. This could probably be fixed with a quick disconnect from Radio Shack.I'm not so much concerned with the emergency dismounts as I am with simply getting tangled up in the cords under normal riding conditions (a minor problem I have with my heated gear too).