[WeaponZero]

Why is it that in most states, it is illegal to ride with earbuds in, yet it is almost mandatory (for safety reasons) to ride with earplugs? Can someone please explain the logic there to me?

[JackTrade]

Earplugs just dampen sound, but don’t add any, whereas earbuds can potentially pump high volume, distracting Ted Nugent into your head. Can’t drive 55, but also can’t hear that approaching semi slamming on its brakes.

Related to this, if they were legal, what sort of music would go with what sort of bikes? When I drive my Mustang, classic rock sounds just right, but Radiohead always seems a little out of place. So what music goes with what bikes/riders?

“Image” cruiser rider (you know, the guys wearing head-to-toe HD regalia) = endlessly looped George Thoroughgood.

What else?

[WeaponZero]

Sport riding:
most any ’80s rock, especially the soundtrack to the movie “The Wraith”
the entire Top Gun soundtrack minus the “love ballad” songs
Coheed & Cambria – Gravemakers & Gunslingers
Guns ‘n’ Roses – You Could Be Mine

[JackTrade]

Top Gun was the first movie I remember seeing a motorcycle and thinking coool. What did Maverick ride, anyway? (though I really love Kelly McGillis’ Porsche 356 Speedster).

Anytime I see a guy on a vintage or new vintage Triumph, I think The Who or Rolling Stones or maybe the Beatles.

[megaspaz]

i’d be listening to classical and movie score music… that and j-pop…

[eon]

To add to what Jack said, ride along with your earbuds in but no sound and you will see how much (ie. little) they block wind noise (I’m thinking of standard iPod earphones here, I know there are better types out there). Any music you listen to has to drown out that noise before you hear it. Or, turn your music off, walk into your house (or suitably quiet place) and turn it back on. If you get surprised by how loud it is then that’s not a good sign.

Was on a group ride with a cruiser chick and she had speakers blasting out her music. As she pulled away from the lunch stop she had Steppinwolf’s Born to be Wild blasting out. Gave us all a chuckle or two.

[WeaponZero]

He rode an original first generation Ninja ZX900R.

[Ben]

J-pop for the win!

[eternal05]

Earplugs dampen painfully loud and fatiguing noises, allowing you to focus better. Earbuds add new noise between your ears and things you actually want to hear (sirens, horns, other engines, impact noises). In addition, they also further distract you by getting you emotionally or dance-ologically involved in your listening material. I mean just check this guy out:

As far as what music corresponds to what styles of biking, here are my totally stereotype-based and caricatured thoughts:

Cruiser/Chopper: Either the country-listening type or the metal type (don’t know what I mean? Think Black Label Society:

Lots of those these days).

Sportbike: One of two possibilities. Either Rock, Metal, or beat-heavy electronica, or really fruity pop (e.g. J-Pop ) and dance tunes.

Triumph: Yardbirds, the Who, Stones, Led Zep, Beatles, etc.

Ducati: Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, etc.

Motocross/supermoto: Punk/alternative.

[Author]

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