You see I now realize for the first time in over 20 years of riding motorcycles that I've been missing out. I know that lots of bikers with fairings and radios have already experienced riding while rockin, but sad to say last sunday was my first experience.
I have to wonder why I waited so long. It was like a DUH moment. I thought WTF. This is awesome! It made riding a completely different kind of experience.
Not only did the ear buds crank out the tunes, but they also acted as ear plugs to cut out the wind from going into my ears. I got those Skull Candy ones that have the soft rubbers that go in your ear. They were cheap. Like only 16 bucks! They also came with three total different sized ear pieces to choose from so you get the right fit and comfort.
I turned the music up loud enough to hear it over the rumble of the motor, but quite enough to hear if there was an emergency vehicle, or police officer behind me.
So this brought me to wonder how many other people out there ride with headphones on?
I know that it is technically illegal, but......
+
= 
I have only used my iPod a couple times while riding. For me personally the jury is still out on whether or not I like it. Sometimes the sound of my engine is all the music I need.
ReplyDeleteI know that some folks really like their music while riding. I prefer the sounds of the road and being totally immersed in the moment.
ReplyDeleteDanny and Dean,
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with you both. Maybe it is because it is a new experience for me. I don't know. I could still easily hear the rumble of the motor and feel it as well of course. So it just seemed to enrich the whole riding experience. I agree that the sound of the motor is all you "need", and that is likely why I've gone over 20 years riding without music. I just saw some friends riding with headphones the last few times I rode with them and decided to see what it is all about.
One thing I noticed. When you are riding solo, and out in the middle of nofreakingwhere by yourself, you don't feel quite so alone. This is good and bad. I guess it depends on what kind of mood you are in.
I ride half and half. Sometimes I just want to be in tune with my ride and the solitude. Other times I wanna ride in tunes.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a hot summer night screaming across the desert with just the wind and the thump of your vtwin...but then again, nothing kicks ass like screaming down the interstate with some Deep Purple or Black Label Society blaring in your earhole. It's almost like being in a flippin' movie or something...love it.
I guess I just ride with what suites me at the time. Screw whether it's legal or not. On the highway and interstates no one is going to give a shit. City driving...I save the tunes for the open road. I need to hear what's going on around me on the surface streets.
On my 1k in one day runs, music is what keeps me moving sometimes.
I like both. But I do really like hitting shuffle on about 3000 songs and being repeatedly surprized by what comes out.
ReplyDeleteFor straight highway driving I like to use the earphones and tunes for a while, but then the draw of the open road and solitude overtake me. That's my zen place where engine thumping is the sweetest music. For back roads, the whole body experience can't be beat and I find music a distraction.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I've never ridden to music. And really have no particular desire to try it as, like many others have already said, the sound of the bike is really all I need. It's kind of like meditation I guess - the endless repetition of the same sounds over and over again.
ReplyDeleteBut if I had an iPod, I'd probably give it a try just to see if maybe I would like it on occasion.
But this brings out one of my pet peeves - people with those 100 decibel stereo systems blasting out heavy metal when riding on city streets. Save it for the highway when your choice of music affects only you and the cows in the fields you're passing. (End of rant.)
In town the tunes usually play but on the road the road noise is the best!
ReplyDeleteI don't tune in often. I too like the sounds of the road. And I can put most any song in my noodle. When I've had it on(the radio thingy) it distracts me at times.
ReplyDeleteI had a faring with a radio once. Got rid of it. Don’t miss it at all.
ReplyDeletei LOVE my tunes but ive never managed to really enjoy earbuds while riding. so...my plan, im going to pipe old bullet style speakers to bobs new crashbar, woohoo!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDepends on the mood. Some times I'm clearing my head and just want to ride, other times the music makes the ride.
ReplyDelete