Converted to Earplugs

yes because are hands are free and we are not engaged in conversation. just listening. the music doesn't need you to talk back or even listen to it. it does not seem to distract me or make me any less aware of my surroundings. then again im not an old lady

i didn't know there were so many headphone haters. dont be hatin

try it. you might like it. it does enhance my riding experience quite a bit. i almost never ride without tunes. gotta have em. and i ride just fine with em.

bike jackets are made with the mp3 pocket these days. if yours is empty, you're missing out

on the other hand i understand an rc51 with pipes might be enough to listen to on it's own. but the singing 4 cylinder blends perfectly with some fast electronica like prodigy or heavy metal

Originally Posted by UncleJesse954

try it. you might like it. it does enhance my riding experience quite a bit. i almost never ride without tunes. gotta have em. and i ride just fine with em.

I am already convinced I would like it. Unfortunately, I am also convinced that it would affect my concentration in a negative way. A small lack of attention can have a surprisingly major impact, especially at times requiring quick decision making. For 99.99% of the time it is OK to ride on autopilot. Then something happens when you need 100% of your mental resources, and things turn sour if you don't have 100% of your attention available.
I was very surprised when I read that during some tests they found no difference in the number errors made (missing highway exits) when people used handsfree or normal cell phones while driving. Even listening to the radio has a significant effect. To me, that means I will have to stay away from iPods while riding.

because they are engaged in conversation. the only way music or radio seems to bother me is if vehicle is quiet and i cant hear exhaust note for shifting. not a problem on the bike. once again. it's in the jackets. it's legal. and i would say it only affects some people. maybe if you get into the music too much. but i can actually tune it out if need be. if im in busy traffic with idiots all around i probably dont even hear the music in my ear. but once im in a more relaxed environment i can still be alert while hearing my favorite tunes a little bit. as long as i can hear my engine too. and i dont have to talk to anybody. that is a huge distraction for me.

when you are talking to somebody they expect you to listen. and to prepare a response. the music is there if you want it. i have no trouble tuning it out if need be

I just bought a set of custom made ear plugs at the Chicago IMS. I told her to leave them in when she took them out to cure. I cant wait to ride and not be so damned exhausted when getting to my destination. I want to hear again.

Or you could get the best of both worlds and pony up for a set of Shure's
I've got a set similar to this one. It's actually allowed me to turn the volume down on my PSP (no IPOD yet) and still provide the comfort and noise cancellation of the standard foamy earplugs I used regularly, even on the shorty rides.

Good Technical jargon for some of the reasoning behind having the sound isolation check out:
Shure - Sound Isolating Technology

Especially pertinant is the last paragraph:
"Why is isolation important?
Sound isolation makes it possible to hear greater detail at a lower volume than is possible with earbuds or most headphones intended for portable use. Lower-volume listening means less fatigue over extended periods and is safer than trying to overcome background noise by turning up the volume. This makes sound isolating earphones the ideal choice for commuting, travel, exercise, study, or work - any activity where you desire portable, hi-fidelity sound."

~ Ian

I don't do earplugs... headphones for music. Riding gets boring on long rides without them.

I wear ear plugs when I ride in the countryside or on freeways. These earplugs are known as JVC marshmallow earphones. If I hit play on my ipod, music comes out of them too. Either way, I have reduced hearing loss, distrations, and fatigue. In this configuration, I can still hear anything that I might need to hear such as approaching traffic, tires, horns, talking, etc. This results in more concentration on the road and the experience as a whole. I find that I am less worn out at the end of the day.