I told a buddy I would start a thread on this and show him what was said.

He says Im nuts for wearing headphones when I ride. My point is this. I feel that when someone is riding it's more of a visual thing vs a hearing thing when It comes to watching out for yourself. I tell him If I hear tires locking up and they have me in there sights it's to late anyway.In town the volume is down providing more of a back ground sound and I can still hear traffic,sirens yadda ,yadda. On the highway i crank it up but can still hear my bike.

so, what do you'all think ?

 

Personally I say its more dangerous. I often "miss" the car in my blind spot that may have entered the freeway just behind me than all of a sudden he is passing me. I first realize he is there because I can hear the slight wind disturbance of the vehicle. I look in my miorror and nothing. I turn my head and there he is...right in my blind spot.

Sorry. I know alot of us use them but for me...no.

 

I wear them all the time and I don't think I miss hearing anything. I keep the volume down enough so that I can still hear what is going on around me. On the other hand, the world could explode and my wife would never hear it she keeps hers so loud.

 

Music just makes me spaceoff...but, it doesn't take much for that to happen so as for myself..I can't do it..way to many cars trying to hit me..

 

I never used to ride with them. but last week i went for a little cruise and had them on. i can still hear my bike, and some sound around me. don't think i am in any worse a position than before.

don't think i will ride without them again.

 

I tried wearing them but the wind noise was way to loud with them on. I am getting a different style and try again.

 

Yes it is more visual, but why use that as an excuse?
Steering is more effective at avoiding accidents than braking is but would you not use your brakes and rely solely on steering for all situations?

Honestly I don't care what you do. If you want to wear headphones then that is your choice. I don't know why you need to justify your choices to others. IMO it really isn't much different than having a stereo cranked up or a minivan filled with screaming kids.

BTW: It may be illegal to wear headphones while operating a vehicle in some states.

 

Not much diffenrence to having your stereo on as long as the headphone volume isn't high enough to cover traffic noise.
At the level I hear some of the MC and cage stereo's blasting I kinda wonder if they can hear anything at all...

Not thinking it's legal to wear headphones in NY while driving/riding though.

Personally the last thing I want to do on a bike is numb my sense of hearing for safety's sake.

 

I wear a fullface helmet, which really blocks a lot of the noise and also ear plugs. Most of the time the music/talk show is just filling background noise. I dont care if you wear earphones, earplugs, full helmet or none at all. You the motorcyclist always have to be on the defensive. IMHO

 

some states its illegal to ride with headphones over/in both ears. I know in Maryland it is. However, i must say that i do it every now and then. Check you laws in case you get stopped, you can work up a good defense to the LEO. Either way, you have to be constantly aware of whats going on around you. Be safe.

cass