Nothing beats riding a motorcycle. The feeling of the wind blowing through your hair, the sun hitting your face, rocking your motorcycle boots, and the beauty of the open road-priceless.
But can you still do this while listening to music? Is it safe for you to do so?
There are different laws about the legality of listening to music while riding a motorcycle.
Depending on the area, there are also regulations such as wearing earplugs or headphones. To avoid problems, you should find out about these laws in advance.
If you want to listen to music while riding your motorcycle, you’ve several options.
The most popular choice is to wear headphones or earplugs. There are also integrated helmet-mounted communication devices designed for motorcycling.
In this article, we’ll address all your concerns about listening to music while on your motorcycle.
What This Article Covers:
- Why Listen to Music on a Motorcycle at All?
- The Best Ways to Listen to Music While Riding
- The Downside to Listening to Music While Riding a Motorcycle
- Conclusion: Always Choose Safety
- Listening to Music While on a Motorcycle FAQs
Why Listen to Music on a Motorcycle at All?
Many motorcyclists like to listen to music when they’re out riding. But how does this happen? What about music makes it so enjoyable when riding a motorcycle?
There are a few reasons why listening to music while riding a motorcycle is so much fun. First, music can soothe the ride by muffling the engine’s roar and the noise from the wind.
Also, on long rides, music passes the time and provides a good rhythm that helps keep the pace.
Create a playlist of your favourite music and take it on the road with you when you’re looking for something for your next motorcycle ride.
Listening to music while you ride can enhance your experience. Before you ride with loud music, though, there are a few things you should consider.
The Best Ways to Listen to Music While Riding
Experts have found that riding a motorcycle while listening to music can increase the risk of an accident.
Luckily, modern technology has made it possible to safely listen to music while riding a motorcycle in various ways.
Here are 5 safe ways to listen to music on a motorcycle.
Motorcycle Earbuds
You might wonder if it’s legal to wear earbuds while riding a motorcycle. The short answer is: yes.
Earbuds are easier to use while you do other tasks because they’re less demanding than other audio accessories. They’re only as loud as 100 decibels, so they’re less likely to damage your eardrums.
Also, they don’t muffle the sounds around you so you can still hear horns or sirens nearby. Most people overlook this remarkable safety feature when deciding on a suitable and safe method of listening to motorcycle music.
You can do a few things to protect yourself when using headphones while driving.
An excellent place to start is to make sure the volume is low enough so you can hear your surroundings.
Use one earbud at a time to make sure you can still listen to what’s going on around you.
Finally, don’t take your hands off the handlebars when changing songs or adjusting the volume. Although earplugs are a common choice, you should be aware of their risks before using them.
Motorcycle Stereo System
A motorcycle stereo is one of the best ways to listen to music on a motorcycle.
Even though a stereo system with powerful amplifiers comes at a price, it’s worth the purchase if you enjoy listening to top-notch music while riding your motorcycle. This adaptable music system helps improve sound quality and minimize distortion.
These systems have Bluetooth features that let you stream your smartphone’s music collection. They can also withstand humid weather. So, you don’t have to worry about rain damaging your expensive audio system.
A motorcycle stereo is perfect if you want to listen to high-quality music and want to show off your incredible selection to everyone around you.
Bluetooth Helmet
A Bluetooth motorcycle helmet can be a practical option for riders who want to talk on the phone or listen to music while riding.
These devices are motorcycle helmets with an integrated Bluetooth headset, and they’re really handy.
Not only do they provide you with excellent sound quality, but they also protect your head from tumbles. We also think that Bluetooth helmets are the best way to listen to music on a motorcycle.
But wait, are Bluetooth motorcycle helmets safe?
Bluetooth helmets are safe. They often only require your phone to sync with the Bluetooth system, eliminating the need for cables or wires. With fewer wires, there’s less to obstruct your sight or riding ability.
The extended battery life is yet another advantage. This means you can crank up your playlist before you leave the house, listen to it while you ride, and keep listening to it until you arrive at your destination.
Built-in Bluetooth helmet intercoms often have a few external controls that you can quickly press to adjust the volume and change tracks. What’s more, you don’t even need to buy a helmet that has Bluetooth installed.
If you’ve already got a helmet you love, have a look and see if you can add a Bluetooth kit to a motorcycle helmet in order to make it compatible. Some helmets have specialized compartments built in so you can add a radio kit to it later on.
However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the switches before you turn them on. So, are Bluetooth motorcycle helmets legal? Absolutely.
Bluetooth helmets are legal on almost all roads.
With an integrated Bluetooth set in your helmet, you won’t have to fuss with cables or Velcro stickers to answer calls. You can use the intercom, listen to music or get directions right out of the box.
If you want to find the best Bluetooth helmet, check out our best Bluetooth motorcycle helmet review. You’ll quickly find the perfect companion for the road.
Wireless Headsets
Technological advances have made using a wireless headset for various tasks easy and convenient. Whether riding a motorcycle or running a marathon, it’s an excellent opportunity to listen to music with a wireless headset.
Since they don’t need to be plugged in anywhere, wireless headsets are hassle-free and easy to use. They’re also much cheaper than other music accessories. Wireless headphones are a great choice if you want to listen to music while riding your motorcycle and your budget is tight.
They’re great for riding your motorcycle off-road, and for jobs like gardening or walking around town.
Noise-cancelling Earphones
If you don’t want to hear distracting noises around you, noise-cancelling headphones are a great option. These headphones are designed to block out loud noises while riding a motorcycle, allowing the listener to concentrate on their favourite music.
If you like listening to music, buying such headphones is undoubtedly a good decision.
However, these headphones are incredibly risky. As a responsible rider, you have to listen to your surroundings while riding, and these earphones could block out crucial sounds and alerts.
The Downside to Listening to Music While Riding a Motorcycle
If you play your music too loudly, it can mask essential sounds, and you may not be able to hear what’s happening around you, which could put you in danger.
You’re likely to irritate someone on the road if you use your bike’s radio system to listen to music. Especially if you have the volume turned up all the way, pedestrians and other drivers mightn’t understand what you’re hearing.
Conclusion: Always Choose Safety
It’s always better to first familiarize yourself with the roads and your motorcycle before using any musical devices. The sound of the wind and the trees can be exciting in itself.
Another piece of advice we can give you is to make a playlist of the songs you want to listen to before you start your ride. In the car, it can be risky to change music; on the motorcycle, it can be downright dangerous.
Also, to adjust to the road as quickly as possible, it’s ideal to have constant access to the pause or mute button. It’s better to moderate the volume on these devices, just like in the car.
Listening to Music While on a Motorcycle FAQs
At what volume can you safely listen to music while driving?
When riding, you need to be able to constantly see your surroundings and also hear what’s going on around you. That’s why it’s crucial to use earplugs or headphones with volume control so you can adjust the volume of your music.
How can I ensure my headphones don’t fall out while riding?
To prevent the wires from falling out when wearing standard headphones or earbuds, you can tuck them under your clothing or helmet. Also, you can use specific clips to keep the headphones in place while you’re moving.
Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth earbuds or headphones that stay in place while you ride.
What other advice do you’ve for safe riding?
You should always wear a helmet when riding, obey the speed limit, and be aware of your surroundings. Also, be careful when riding in snow or rain, and leave enough room when passing other vehicles.
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