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Post by marshie on Oct 25, 2008 7:29:14 GMT
Just been looking at one of those intercom thingamyjigs in a magazine, and it suggests playing MP3 through it. Although I never have, I've often thought about sticking my headphones in when riding somewhere boring/on my own. Never have 'cos I've worried about my concentration, and whether it's legal. Any of you lot comment on this? Interested to know thats all.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Oct 25, 2008 11:50:30 GMT
I've got the Scala Rider Q2 headset for the GPS, that can play the radio through it. I don't think it's illegal but personally I wouldn't though, I want more senses than Spiderman available to me on these roads  |
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Post by skrappey on Oct 25, 2008 20:22:29 GMT
Last long trip I did, I plugged in my shuffle at Brighton and turned it off in Liverpool 5 hours later. Didn't hear a thing all day. Bliss.
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Post by mark on Oct 26, 2008 11:49:23 GMT
I prefer to be aware of whats going on around me .
Plus I like the sound of my piston slapping and the exhaust rattling ;D
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Post by avenger66 on Oct 26, 2008 11:59:19 GMT
I crashed my first scooter into the back of a parked mini one hot hot Sunday afternoon because I was playing The Zombies "She's not there" full blast through a Sony Walkman with the headphones stuffed into my helmet. I ended up battered and bruised and on crutches for a few weeks. Certainly taught me a lesson. With music playing not only can you not here other road users honking their horns it also really does interfere with your concentration. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a death wish.
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Post by Spence on Oct 26, 2008 14:33:14 GMT
I frequently listen to my iPod on long rides, and haven't come close to having an accident whilst doing so yet. I fail to see how the song you're listening to would obscure your vision to the extent that you wouldn't notice a parked car in front of you - unless you were singing along and screwed your eyes shut to reach a particularly high note. I would hazard to suggest that you would've hit the car whether you were listening to The Zombies or not.
If you're listening to your iPod so loud that you can't hear the noise of your engine or what's going on around you, you're listening to it too loud and you're probably going to damage your ears.
It's no more illegal or dangerous than driving your car with your stereo on full blast.
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Post by skrappey on Oct 26, 2008 18:24:21 GMT
At last, the voice of reason.
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Post by marshie on Oct 26, 2008 18:40:14 GMT
Interesting views, may give it a go see how it feels 'cos some rides are boring. Cheers guys
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Post by dave1967 on Oct 28, 2008 10:18:56 GMT
Sorry to put a downer on it chaps but its illegal, driving without due care and attention for a start. How could you hear an emergency vehicle coming up behind you. It would be illegal in a car as well but you wouldn't get caught in a car because you would probably spot the emergency vehicle in your rear view mirror. Anything that distracts you from concentrating whilst driving/ riding such as smoking and eating can be seen as driving without due care and attention.
AND LETS BE HONEST IS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS
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Big Al
1st Class Ticket
Big Al's little demon...
Posts: 93
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Post by Big Al on Oct 28, 2008 14:08:33 GMT
Suppose it depends on how much the music is going to affect your concentration, and that is likely to differ from person to person.
In terms of affecting your awareness of traffic/sirens etc all around you, using headphones can't be any worse than using earplugs, as reccomended by just about every official motorcycling body. I use plugs constantly for long journeys (already have tinnitus and work in music, hence can't risk my lugholes any more) and it's never caused me any difficulties.
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Post by skrappey on Oct 28, 2008 18:22:10 GMT
Don't mean to p*sh on your chips but please explain the likes of Honda goldwings and silverwings, also BMWs with fitted stereos. A kit for a stereo on a vespa is illegal according to your reckoning.
If you have the music so loud you can't hear anything else that would be reckless. Why would I not want to heat the burble of my Harley as I travel the highways and byeways of your fair island? Or the scream of my Vespa or Lambretta around town. Moderation is the answer and anything that keeps me awake and alert is good in my book.
The earplug info is very relevant to your argument. I cannot find the relevant legislation you propose as fact.
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Post by Feed Your Head on Oct 28, 2008 19:32:33 GMT
"If music be the food of love, play on and give me excess of it..." sorry, couldn't think of anything constructive to add, so thought i'd bring in a bit of the ol' Bard into play.  ;D |
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Post by sirscootalot on Oct 28, 2008 20:48:29 GMT
what do you do then big al, i'm in the industry myself
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Post by dave1967 on Oct 28, 2008 20:51:55 GMT
Sorry skrappey but you dont need specific legislation to be done for Driving without due care and attention and just because its fitted to a vehicle doesn't make it legal to use.You can buy cars that have remote starters on them doesn't mean its legal to use one though. Theres no law against eating when driving but there are plenty of cases of people have been done for doing it. I think you will find Honda have a get out wriiten somewhere passing the buck to the owner just like the companies that make Sat Navs. They all state when you turn them on that you should not adjust them when driving as it may inhibit your driving, hence the driving without due care and attention. Hands free car kits are legal but the mobile phone legislation states its illegal to operate any type of mobile phone in any form whilst driving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Lucia on Oct 28, 2008 21:22:52 GMT
I learnt to ride with an earpiece in one ear, and passed my test wearing an earpiece listening to the examiner. And what about deaf people - they're allowed to ride...aren't they? Emergency vehicles have flashing lights to cater for the hard of hearing as a visual warning. We just have to be sensible I reckon - and concentrate!
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Big Al
1st Class Ticket
Big Al's little demon...
Posts: 93
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Post by Big Al on Oct 29, 2008 19:28:20 GMT
All boils down to common sense about what's going to distract you. So listening to Enya whilst scootering is out (you'd fall asleep or go into a coma), same with any hard house played at 170bpm or more (you'd drive too fast, although the glow-sticks would do wonders for your visibility) or basically anything by James Blunt (the mucus-clogged voice would make you want to drive into an oncoming car to end it all, seriously endangering other motorists with better taste than you...)
For suitable music choices I refer you to the 'Music' forum!
(SirScootalot, I produce and edit sheet music for a few publishers here and there. Great fun when working on things like the new Elbow album, torture when stuff like Dragonforce lands on my desk...)
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Post by sirscootalot on Oct 29, 2008 21:05:45 GMT
big al, my mate does monitors for dragonforce, now thats what i call hectic music, i'm a sound engineer myself.
and as for this topic i sing while i'm riding so i probably distract everyone else ;D
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Post by Devo McDuff on Oct 30, 2008 19:00:02 GMT
All boils down to common sense about what's going to distract you. So listening to Enya whilst scootering is out (you'd fall asleep or go into a coma), same with any hard house played at 170bpm or more (you'd drive too fast, although the glow-sticks would do wonders for your visibility) or basically anything by James Blunt (the mucus-clogged voice would make you want to drive into an oncoming car to end it all, seriously endangering other motorists with better taste than you...) For suitable music choices I refer you to the 'Music' forum! (SirScootalot, I produce and edit sheet music for a few publishers here and there. Great fun when working on things like the new Elbow album, torture when stuff like Dragonforce lands on my desk...) Complete digression but I see Guy Carvey form Elbow about quite a lot, he is a right smug d*ck! |
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;D 
