Listening to music while driving is something that many people do, this can help in passing the time or distracting you from your thoughts.
Although it is pretty easy to do this on a car, the story changes when talking about a motorcycle. So, now the question arises, how to listen to music on a motorcycle. I have some great news for you!
There are several ways to do so. Some of the most popular ways are:
- A Helmet Communication System
- Use Simple Earbuds
- Use Of Helmet Speakers
- Use External Bluetooth Speakers
- Motorcycle Stereo System
These are the only ways that allow you to enjoy music while traveling on a motorcycle. Although your query has been answered, there are still more things about this topic that you should know.
I suggest that you stick around to find them out!
Safety Issues Concerned With Listening To Music On A Motorcycle
Before we get into the article properly, I would like to enlighten you with some of the issues people can face when listening to music while riding a motorcycle.
This section is extremely important, which is why it has been listed at the top.
Some people tend to turn the volume up way too much. If they are using a communication system or earbuds, it will result in them not being able to listen to oncoming traffic, which can be pretty dangerous.
The same goes for when listening to sounds on speakers, but they don’t drain out the sound too much.
Technology is evolving fast. There are many options for people out there to listen to music.
One of them is noise-canceling earbuds or headphones. They are designed to reduce the ambient noise, which in this case is coming from the traffic.
The two major parts of riding a bike are sight and sound. When you take away one, you are risking too much. Another concern about using headphones or a headset is that it will not fit into your helmet.
This means that you will have to drive without a helmet which is a huge safety concern and, in many cases, against the law, which is why you should typically avoid huge headsets and stick to earbuds or earphones.
In many cases, you may be stopped by a police officer for your reckless endangerment or, in other cases, be involved in an accident that may hurt you and random pedestrians, which is something you should avoid.
Best Way To Listen To Music On Your Motorcycle
Now that we have taken a brief look into the risks of pumping music into your ears while riding a motorcycle, I think it is time to move on to the most awaited topic of this article.
Here I will be discussing the top ways you can listen to your favorite tunes while on a motorcycle, keeping it as safe and risk-free as possible.
So without further delay, let’s get started!
1. A Helmet Communication System
A helmet communication system is exactly what its name suggests. It is a small system that is built and fitted inside your helmet.
It has a microphone and speakers, which will allow you to answer calls and listen to music without ever touching your phone.
The connection is via Bluetooth, but some systems out there still use the old and trustworthy 3.5mm audio jack.
This is a simple, easy, and distraction-free method of listening to music on your bike, ensuring your eyes are always on the road and not constantly fidgeting with your phone either.
Helmet communication systems are not expensive. They usually don’t cross the $100 mark, which is great.
This makes them affordable while making driving your motorcycle a lot safer. You will not need to pull out your phone or slow down to take a call.
All you need to do is install this system and enjoy your daily rides even more than usual.
This also ensures the typical safety a helmet provides, ensuring that you do not compromise on any safety laws and regulations in your state.
The go-to brand for this item is Sena. They have been making high-quality motorcycle helmets and other motorcycle products for quite some time, and it is a brand that you should check out.
They update their headsets with new features constantly. Their products even have a universal intercom feature, which allows you to communicate with other people with a Sena headset through a dedicated channel.
This makes riding the bike with your friends a lot more fun.
2. Use Simple Earbuds
Now, there is a high likelihood that you already own a pair of earbuds that you may be using daily.
This is great news because you will not have to spend money to buy a new pair of them; you can simply use the ones you already have!
Many people use their earbuds to listen to music while traveling. They have a snug fit, and you don’t have to worry about installing something permanently inside your helmet.
Earbuds, for motorcycles, are very convenient because they have their charging case.
When not in use, they will be put back in the case, which will get the charge level back up. This is pretty convenient and is better than taking the whole helmet just to charge a communication system.
They are also quite small and fit in the palm of your hand, making them more convenient to move around and store as well.
The latest earbuds have a feature called ambient mode. It will allow you to listen to the music at your preferred volume while also making sure that you can hear the traffic around you, perfect for most motorcycle drivers.
People also prefer old-school earphones. They connect directly to the phone using a wire. This is the cheapest method available and is still used by many people.
They are not convenient to use because of the wire and do not have the features of their earbud counterparts, but they still offer great audio quality and work well on motorcycles.
3. Use Of Helmet Speakers
If you are looking for something like wired earphones but want something more permanent, helmet speakers are your best bet.
They are speakers that connect to your phone using an AUX wire. These speakers have been designed for one-way communication only.
What this means is that they can only output sound. There is no microphone, so you cannot make calls. Although they may not be liked by many, these do allow you to listen to music while riding your motorcycle.
These are not as convenient as the helmet communication system as you cannot talk to people without taking the helmet off.
However, they are still more convenient than managing wires that go into your helmet and other pesky electronic devices.
While this means of listening to your headphones are still a good way, much better than others, it pales in comparison to the helmet communication system method, which offers a lot more freedom, accessibility, and features, forcing me to recommend saving up for one of those rather than simple helmet speakers, especially considering you can buy the former for an additional $50.
Regardless of what you choose, this is a cheap and easy budget option for newer motorcycle riders who want to spice up their bike rides with a bit of music, and there is a variety of choices of this product for you to choose from, making this a very good option to consider.
4. Use External Bluetooth Speakers
If you do not own a pair of earbuds and do not like dealing with wires, maybe getting an external speaker is for you. This is a non-obtrusive and rather crude way of listening to music while on a motorcycle.
This method is not recommended as it only adds another thing you need to take care of while riding a motorcycle, as the Bluetooth speaker can easily fall if not properly placed on the motorcycle.
This method may also cause discomfort to people around you who can also hear the music as it is no longer confined to your helmet or your earbuds.
5. Motorcycle Stereo System
Similar to the Bluetooth speaker system, a proper and much better way to go about listening to music using external systems is to have a stereo system on your motorcycle.
This system makes it much easier to switch music and ride than the Bluetooth speaker as the system is built onto the motorcycle, and you can easily switch music with a couple of switches near the handlebars.
The drawback of this method is the same as the previous one that other people can hear and listen to the music that you are playing. This can cause a lot of annoyances and unnecessary noise pollution.
Overall, methods using external speakers should be avoided, and you should try and opt for a more constrained system localized within your helmet.
Safety Tips On Listening To Music While Riding A Motorcycle
While riding a motorcycle with music can be fun, it is very dangerous and, as I have stated, poses a lot of risks.
Here are a few ways you can mitigate these risks and make sure you retain your attention to the road and your surroundings:
1. Use Lower Volume
Having lower volume is essential to make sure you can hear the cars and other bikes around you, especially if they are honking or if there is an ambulance or police car.
2. Use Ambient Mode
As discussed above, the ambient mode can help make sure you hear the traffic around you and make sure you get the best volume possible.
3. Make A Playlist
Making a playlist can help you avoid constantly fiddling with your phone in an effort to change the music. This allows you to focus more on driving the bike and also plays into this next point.
4. Avoid Constantly Changing The Music
Once you have set the playlist, you should keep listening to it and not focus on switching to a new song or playlist, as this will distract you from the road.
5. Keep Your Eyes On The Road
While listening to music, it is easy for you to get distracted, which is why you should make sure that your eyes are on the road at all times and scan for nearby traffic, pedestrians, and other obstacles.
6. Avoid Fast-Paced Music
Fast-paced and rock music can sometimes get you feeling too energetic, which may bring the mood to increase speed. This should be avoided, and instead, you should settle for slower and more entertaining music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I Listen To Music While Riding A Motorcycle?
Yes, you can. That is what this article is all about. Five different methods were listed, all of which are highly used by people. You can pick one you are most comfortable with, and it will allow you to listen to your favorite tunes.
Q2. Can I Listen To Music With A Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet?
Yes, you can. You may be wondering why this option was not present in this article.
Well, helmets with these functionalities tend not to be very good. They either compromise on safety features, or their speakers are of very poor quality.
Q3. Do Motorcycles Have Stereos?
Yes! There are bikes, albeit very few, that feature a stereo system. They have that and a radio, so you don’t need to connect anything to listen to songs while riding.
Q4. Do Motorcycles Have Speakers?
Motorcycle speakers are not very good, and they can be difficult to hear over the sound of the air. Normally you don’t find speakers on motorcycles.
But they can be installed. Nowadays, people do that to listen to songs and such without using earbuds or helmet accessories.
Conclusion
Now that you have read this article, it should be easy for you to decide how to listen to music on a motorcycle and how you want to go about it.
Listening to music can be a fun and entertaining experience and can really help during long hours of driving on the freeway or the highway.
As enjoyable as it may be, you should always prioritize your safety and driving etiquette over listening to music and potentially endangering yourself and others.
This is why you should follow the steps listed in this article and try your best to utilize the best method to listen to music while riding a motorcycle.
I am a passionate blogger who wants to spread my interest in motorcycles. Fueled by my love for motorcycles, I provide readers with valuable insights and updates on motorcycles’ informative and engaging topics and document the latest happenings in the biking community. Despite my hectic schedule, I can provide these blogs, which involve regular trips to the gym and sports like mountain biking and BMX. I am usually available most of the time, so be sure to join me on my journey of motorcycles and bikes! I appreciate a quiet and simple life and am always eager to interact with my readers to provide helpful information on my blog site.