wearing IEMs (er6i) on a bike...a 3 month report

[kugino]

FIRST THINGS FIRST:
- yes, riding a motorcycle is dangerous. please wear a helmet, take a training course, etc.
- wearing earplugs is recommended by many motorcycle enthusiasts as it protects against hearing loss, reduces rider fatigue, and actually increases the alertness of the rider.
- wearing earplugs is LEGAL in california and many other states.

i've been riding a lot since the weather's turned warm (downright HOT here in northern cali) and for the past few months i've been using a shuffle->er6i on my long commutes (about 30 minutes). granted, i live in the country and most of my commutes are on long, straight, country roads...city riders might want to think twice about listening to music.

the er6i with the comply tips (my tip of choice) are perfect for riding. they are very short IEMs and barely stick out of the ear when inserted properly. putting on a helmet with the er6is inserted is no problem...no problem with microphonics whatsoever. i wrap the cord around the shuffle a few times and insert the shuffle into the interior pocket of my jacket. noise reduction with the er6i is just as good, if not better, than using regular earplugs. most of the noise is due to wind at high speeds (i ride a suzuki sv650).

the mp3 and AAC files on my shuffle are all normalized to 88dB using mp3gain/AACgain...however, there are random tracks that don't normalize as well and itunes music store tracks are 1 or 2 dB higher. so, watch out for those. one can also limit the maximum volume on the shuffle with the latest ipod software update for the shuffle. i have been listening at one or two volume clicks higher than normal listening levels off the bike, so the sound isolation with the er6i is really quite remarkable.

if you're a bike rider and have long commutes, think about using the er6i (because of it's short stem) as a combo earplug/music source. while the compressed music on the shuffle limits the quality of the listening, it's nice to have music or podcasts to listen to while on the bike. it works well and i've had no problems the last few months of riding. ride safely!

 

[dreaded]

Kugino
did you try any other IEM's for riding? I'm looking for a pair to wear under my helmet, was considering the UE 3 fi's, or the cx-300's, but I'm concerned about how far the UE"s may stick out and the sound isolation on the cx's..

 

[mr56k]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaded Kugino did you try any other IEM's for riding? I'm looking for a pair to wear under my helmet, was considering the UE 3 fi's, or the cx-300's, but I'm concerned about how far the UE"s may stick out and the sound isolation on the cx's..

I have used both. The UE's are definately gona stick out farther. They still might fit under your helmet though.

 

[kugino]

the only other IEMs i've tried were the er4p/s and they stick out way too much. i briefly owned the UM2s and though i didn't use them while riding, i did notice that they were quite incospicuous. when properly inserted they sit quite nicely and i would have no problem putting a helmet over them. the UM1s might work the same way.

anyone else have luck with any other IEMs?

 

[Laptopia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino the only other IEMs i've tried were the er4p/s and they stick out way too much. i briefly owned the UM2s and though i didn't use them while riding, i did notice that they were quite incospicuous. when properly inserted they sit quite nicely and i would have no problem putting a helmet over them. the UM1s might work the same way. anyone else have luck with any other IEMs?

The UM1s are brilliant for bike use. Almost no microphonics, VERY inconspicuous due to the black cabling, and the isolation is good. I have a GSX-R750 and a Kawi EX250, both with *robust* exhaust notes, and I can barely hear them, even well on the throttle.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

UE-10s are a tight fit but they work. and the isolate pretty well. Not as good as the e5s.

 

[edstrelow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino FIRST THINGS FIRST: - wearing earplugs is recommended by many motorcycle enthusiasts as it protects against hearing loss, reduces rider fatigue, and actually increases the alertness of the rider. - wearing earplugs is LEGAL in california and many other states.

This is the second such report I have seen in the last few months. Here is the current Vehicle Code:

"VEH §27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears..."

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edstrelow This is the second such report I have seen in the last few months. Here is the current Vehicle Code: "VEH §27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears..."

i'm not sure what the exact "law" is...it appears that the law has changed but maybe the vehicle code has not been updated? here's what webbikeworld has to say: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...a-earplugs.htm

 

[jon_m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaded Kugino did you try any other IEM's for riding? I'm looking for a pair to wear under my helmet, was considering the UE 3 fi's, or the cx-300's, but I'm concerned about how far the UE"s may stick out and the sound isolation on the cx's..

IME the isolation on the cx's wasn't as good as you'd want for a gym with music playing or walking along a busy road. Don't know if there'd stand much chance vs a motorbike...

 

[Laptopia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edstrelow This is the second such report I have seen in the last few months. Here is the current Vehicle Code: "VEH §27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears..."

AND, "thou shalt not exceed the posted speed limit." Darn!

 

[dreaded]

Well, I'm not in Kalifornia, so I'm not concerned with their laws... and anyone who rides and wears a helmet knows that after 50mph, the wind noise is such that you're not hearing much anyway and if you're a good rider, you'll be well aware of your surroundings... with the non-iem's I use, I usually set the gain, while the engine isn't running, so that it's comforatable and safe for my ears.
I'm in the middle of fabbing a slider from an older set of koss phones so when I'm in situations where's it's needed, music can be muted.



To all others, thanks for your replies.. I'll probably pick up a set of Ety 6i's and some foamies, since they are currently in my budget.. next up is an amp, looking at Pa2v2 or a little dot micro.

when you ride your mind better be 3 minutes ahead of the bike or you'll probably wind up as a statistic... currently riding a V45 manga and running a T30.

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaded Well, I'm not in Kalifornia, so I'm not concerned with their laws... and anyone who rides and wears a helmet knows that after 50mph, the wind noise is such that you're not hearing much anyway and if you're a good rider, you'll be well aware of your surroundings... with the non-iem's I use, I usually set the gain, while the engine isn't running, so that it's comforatable and safe for my ears. I'm in the middle of fabbing a slider from an older set of koss phones so when I'm in situations where's it's needed, music can be muted. To all others, thanks for your replies.. I'll probably pick up a set of Ety 6i's and some foamies, since they are currently in my budget.. next up is an amp, looking at Pa2v2 or a little dot micro. when you ride your mind better be 3 minutes ahead of the bike or you'll probably wind up as a statistic... currently riding a V45 manga and running a T30.

dreaded, you're going to love riding with IEMs. my bike's not the loudest so engine noise isn't too much of a problem, but wind noise sucks, especially at 80+mph. IEMs provide great isolation from both engine noise and wind noise and the music is an added bonus. and you're right, good riders are constantly aware of their surroundings and panning way ahead for potential trouble...post your impressions with the er6i when you get them...