Music & Communication!

[Cinder]

Just in case anyone is interested....we use FRS/GMRS radios with MotoComm headsets for bike to bike communication. After being on the back of hubby's Wing for the last 5 years I'm used to having music on a bike and have been constantly whining for tunes. Can't use 2 sets of speakers at once though and while learning thought communication was a good safety measure to have. However, MotoComm has introduced an interface cable for their headset that allows you to plug in an auxilary radio/mp3/cd or whatever player for use with their headset. Now you can have your cake & eat it too! You can listen to your music, when your partner tries to communicate with you it will cut the music out & give you the message in one speaker. If that is sufficient, answer & continue listening to your music. If not, and you want to converse more the cable comes with a mute button that will turn the music completely off and give you your communications in both helmet speakers as normal. Not cheap though considering the whole headset only cost $80 (Cdn) and the patch/interface cable was $70. Worked fine in the house, can't wait to try it on the bike. Not reccommended though for players that only have earbuds-these units do not have enough power to drive your helmet speakers.

[Shannie]

Thanks dear! R & I were just discussing it last night and I couldn't for the life of me remember exactly the setup you had... we'll be in touch if we have more questions.

[Cinder]

No probs Shan, you could try it out whenever you're up again. Just throw on one of our helmets & check it out-don't even have to ride really. K has used the mp3 & interface cable while out on my vlx and comments at highway speeds although not super-loud, he can still hear the music. The radios seem to work ok as well, yes, there are times when you can't understand the other person, cross-winds etc. but we have 3/4 helmets. I imagine it would only be better with a full-face. The headsets are available for either style of helmet. The radios can be bought just about anywhere-Wal-mart,Futureshop,Radio Shack, Canadian Tire etc. The headsets (and music interface cable) by MotoComm are available at Radio World in Toronto or Durham Radio in Whitby. Let me know if you need any info-happy to provide it.

[Triumph]

I tried listening to an MP3 player while riding one time - I quickly determined that it was a futile effort. Maybe it's my HJC helmet, but I really couldn't hear anything except for the high frequencies. Are better helmets really that much quieter? I've heard that even with the good helmets, the sound level is probably already higher than OSHA requirements for prevention of hearing damage. But I guess alot of it depends on the bike and the amount of wind protection your bike provides. *shrug*

[Paduan]

My Gold Wing has all the audio stuff on it.

I tried all of it for a while, but find that I just prefer to listen to sound of the motor and the road noise.

Once in a while I will listen to a minute of the "weather band".

[jixaw]

I use some insert earplugs with my ipod....the stock earbuds are rubbish...I can blast it....its prolly not good for me but it can get loud....haven't used it in a while...dunno why....