This is not a how-to or passing on of information from me to you, but rather a request for input.
I have not been able to find any definitive answer as to the legalities of playing audio while riding (and yes I have looked in the California driving law books, there is only a minor mention of anything similar). Take out of account any Goldwing/ Harley dash speaker system, and lets focus only on closed faced helmet based systems. :music:
I have two questions to pose here: 1. What are the legal ramifications of using earbud/headphone based music players (mps, cassette, minidisc, etc.) while riding with a closed faced helmet on? I know a ton of people do it, but is it going to cost me more if I get stopped?
2. What types of helmet based systems do people use (specifically focused on implementation not brand)? Have you customized your helmet, or do you just plug in your earphones before putting your helmet on?
I was chastised by one friend for even thinking of riding with my iPod playing some tunes via the ear-buds. :pissed: Ever since then, I have heard of people listening to music while riding and have been wondering about it all... as I typically ride solo and use the bike as a commuter for 7 miles, I'd -like- to have some music, but am afraid I am missing some obvious reasons why I shouldn't (other than the "can't hear" argument, which is the only obvious one I can think of).
I have the Chatterbox GMRS X-1... It is the good Chatterbox, not the low quality cheaply priced X-2.
It has the noise reduction headset and some stereo quality speakers. I plug my Dell Jukebox into the accessory port then run the cable and the remote down to my tank bag or pocket with the remote clipped to my sleeve.
I swear that my helmet sounds like a concert hall at 55mph.
In Florida it is illegal to have headphones. But they only write stupid tickets, like no eye protection in parking lots.
acdntlpoet, Mar 16 2005, 03:00 PMlets focus only on closed faced helmet based systems.�� :music:
"Oh but I want to Sing Father!!! No none of that, your getting married cause we live on a bloody swamp!" - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Why constrain yourself to helmet based anything, just get a good pair of in ear speakers and be done with it.
My buddy Tabasco rides with some expensive kit earplugs ER4 that he bought from Frys, isolated in ear speakers made by Emtomolic Research. But in the $200 range may be a git expensive cause they are hi-fi dealios, for the descriminating audiophile. He has his hooked up to a Rio MP3 player he has velcro'ed to the triple clamp of his Bimmer.
Me I am looking at these lesser plugs made by the same company and marketed by Aerostich, still expensive but not as expensive as the others, ER6 model, they isolate 15-20 dbs of outside noise, a bit less than my ear plugs right now and more sound isolation than the ER4, not as capable of reproducing the nuances of the ER4 but your riding a VFR and going how fast? Your not going to hear every detail in the music anyway! I am looking at a Lyra with built in FM and a pair of these for long rides on the slab.
Legal smegal - who is going to know anyway with a full faced helmet on, if you can deal with the distraction than go on. I cant imagine a cop pulling a U turn to come after you if you wear the things to give you a ticket, maybe for how your riding. In which case leave your helmet on, and hide the wires in your shirt.
HispanicSlammer, Mar 16 2005, 05:00 PM"Oh but I want to Sing Father!!! No none of that, your getting married cause we live on a bloody swamp!" - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
JeffreyP- Thanks for the link... QUITE useful I'd say :) It seems to call out single ear, which is what the CA DMV code says, though you have to dig deep to find it. Glad to at least see it corroborated by others.
Slammer- My bad. By focusing on systems, I meant any helmet mods/ear plugs/ or other ways of getting sound inside the helmet, as opposed to outside speaker set ups.
And you're right, no cop is going to pull me over for a headset... my main concern is getting pulled over for excessive speed and THEN getting the ticket for the headphones too. You pretty much answered my question there :)
Apaprently headset/ear-bud setup are skirting if not completely outside the realm of legal here in California, but many people do it. Moreover, it seems as with any motorcycle, that it is a highly personal choice whether or not to ride with sound. I guess I will do without any music since I am still a new rider and don't need any more variables to contend with on my ride than I already have.
MD. only allows one ear speaker. I put a speaker for my Bel radar detecor in my helmet between some of the padding. I ride with an ear plug as I'm deaf in one ear. If you have an aftermarket exhaust the db are pretty high and WILL cause damage to your hearing. Of course there seem to be a few exceptions. I did have a pretty good use for the db's the other day on my ride. A cager was on the phone and waiting to pull into the flow of traffic. She missed two good chances. I gave her a good Varoom and she started looking all around for the helicopter about to land and saw me chuckling in the rear view mirror. She did not miss the next chance. :sleep:
I swear by these, i use these everyday on my commute 62 miles on way, I've been able to hear the in excess of 120 mph!!! but at that speed i cant hear them cause i'm concentrating on cagers, but if you want other options these are those, there is also a lower priced model (not sure of price) & then there is the granddaddy of the trio 499.00$ this model has dual speakers (but this is way out of my price range but i don't doubt the sound quality), the sound quality of the about shown is incredible incredible highs & deep lows w/ these in you ears you don't have to crank the volume thus saving your batteries, i use mine w/ my portable XM (XM My Fi) the myfi is a truly complete package parts for just about every configuration, in car, in home & in pocket this is also another great item if you have a long commute or pleasure ride. :music: :thumbsup:
I've been thinking of getting earpieces too to listen to music, but I don't think I can even get my super large head into my XL helmets without tearing them or my ears off! Anyway, wouldn't you have to blast the volume way up to even hear the music over the wind noise from outside and end up destroying your eardrums. :( :music: This has kept me from entertaining the thought of getting them for myself. :(
very comfortable and also block wind noise as well as my custom molded ear plugs. Awesome sound, but I mostly use them out of town - around town I just use the molded plugs. Never too concerned about legality w/ a full face helmet and no wires visible...
2. What types of helmet based systems do people use (specifically focused on implementation not brand)? Have you customized your helmet, or do you just plug in your earphones before putting your helmet on?
There's Moozic non stop when I ride... it's not problem other than matching up the throttle grip with the fast guitar licks...
BusyLittleShop, Mar 16 2005, 07:07 PMThere's Moozic non stop when I ride... it's not problem other than matching up the throttle grip with the fast guitar licks...
I don't commute at all and the only music I need is the beautiful sound of my V-4 ! :beer:
I can't stand almost anything in my ear for very long except foam ear plugs. I installed a ChartterBox stereo head set to run may Radar through and have the ability to talk with other rider's in my Group. As mentioned before the ChartterBox has an audio plug that you can run a MP3 or whatever through :thumbsup:
For a short time I was using Etymotic ER4Ps with a 20GB Dell DJ. I ended up selling the ER4Ps because they completely lacked any and all soundstage. I sold the DJ because I wasn't using it much. It was a decent setup though.
I run cheap swimmers earplugs in my ears to block the wind noise, and Chatterbox speakers in the helmet for the radio function. Works for me. The engine song is my music, I need no more. :D
I could plug in the CD and FM player or whatever, I guess even a phone. But no need so far. :thumbsup: I need MP3's, why?
Pretty cheap and good enough sound for on the bike. They do muffle some of the noise but I can still hear traffic around me. I don't think it's a safety issue at all.
I was fitted at the San Mateo's hosting of the Cycle World Bike Show. The company is "Now Hear This" (Marilyn Navia), 10265 N. W. 56th Street, Miami, Fla 33178, v.mail 305-477-2333, e.mail plugup@aol.com.
Marilyn also shows up at Oshkosh for the EAA Annual Fly in... EAA Page
BusyLittleShop, Mar 17 2005, 10:33 AMI was fitted at the San Mateo's hosting of the Cycle World Bike Show. The company is "Now Hear This" (Marilyn Navia), 10265 N. W. 56th Street, Miami, Fla 33178, v.mail 305-477-2333, e.mail plugup@aol.com.
Marilyn also shows up at Oshkosh for the EAA Annual Fly in... EAA Page
I thought that L looked familiar. I bought a pair from her at the motorcycle show in Long Beach and 2 years later at Laguna Seca. She now uses lower quality stuff, so I will not be using her again. Cheaper wires and speakers, and cheaper case. They cost $175 last year. The sound reduction is great, and the sound quality is descent, but my ears can't tell studio quality any more anyway. You sometimes have to really jam them in your ears to get the sound deadening quality, but they are worth it IMO.
End of thread · 27 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 27 Apr 2005
