I know... I know... riding while listening to music is a bad idea. But then again, wheelies are a bad idea too.

I'm gonna do it either way. As a matter of fact, on another thread I told someone to not even bother but as hypocrytical as I am, I'm gonna hook up an MP3 player on my bike.

I just wanted your guy's suggestions and opinions about models out there that have buttons on the face (so I can mount it and still be able to use it without having to reach around the edges), a backlit display, and preferrably no joystick type **** because they'd be hard to use with gloves on. Big buttons would be a plus.

So far I'm checking out the Vamp VP-218 for around $160.00 w/256MB & the Lyra RD1071 for $100.00 w/128MB. Only thing about the Lyra I read was that some of them seem to not take kindly to bumps.

So if you guys have any suggestions on models I'd greatly appreciate it. And I think we all know that its a bad idea to ride and listen to music for many reasons so please keep the flames to yourself. And I don't recommend this to anyone.

Once I purchase one, I'll do a full on picture by picture installation on the bike. I want to make it removable, out of the way yet easy to use, and maybe hook it up to the bike's battery source so you'll never need to charge it if you're only using it on the bike. Probably need to rig up a simple step down inverter and a quick disconnect for that. I'll try to keep the install simple w/parts you can buy at a local hardware store and maybe a Radio Shack. Thanx guys.

 

I think you should go all out and just install a Flip out TV with DVD player and PS2

 

i used an iriver imp-550 cd/mp3 player last trip and it was ok. the iriver products are not top notch and i had some problems. i dont really use that thing anymore. ..


i did get an XM roady and i am going to use that on the bike now for long trips. cant wait to try it out. need to route power from the battery for it. i am debating removing the Valentine One power stuff from the bike entirely. since the V1 is usless around here (all laser) but i guess its still useful on the highway and everywhere else.

 

ive heard of people using them without too many problems. is it a must to mount it on the bike? some people keep the smaller mp3 players in their pocket. post pics once you reach your decision

 

Dude i have a digitalway mpio dmk-128 and I love it. I can operate the buttons through my jacket and it's great. It hangs around your neck and you just put the earphone up through the helmet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CXHatchback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude i have a digitalway mpio dmk-128 and I love it. I can operate the buttons through my jacket and it's great. It hangs around your neck and you just put the earphone up through the helmet.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't want anything dangling around my neck 'cause I know it'll start flapping and slapping. Just like the chest strap on my backpack.

I didn't even wait for a response. I went out and bought one during lunch break at a Walmart. Its the $87.23 RCA Lyra RD1071A.

I wanted something easy to use and the buttons on the face. Well not all the buttons are on the face but the STOP, LAST, NEXT, & PLAY/PAUSE are. The volume UP & DOWN are on the right side. And the MODE & DSP are on the top along with the mini-jack headphone input. The main thing that attracted me to it was the well spaced buttons. It looks easy to use and it wasn't too expensive. It has only has 128MB internal storage space but its expandable with a SD card. The battery cover looks flimsy so I'll probably rig something up for it. I already loaded the software and uploaded some songs. I loaded twenty 192 bit rate WMA files.

I'll install it and show you guys some pics. I'm still deciding on hardwiring the battery supply. I'm thinking maybe not because it only needs one AAA battery for like 10-12 hours playtime. That's about a months use for me. Plus w/extra hardwire equipment attached to it, it might take away from the portability and convenience of it. I'll keep you guys up to date.

BTW, I've installed a flip up indash Pioneer AVIC-N1 w/navi on a hog for one of my customers. So, for the dude that asked me ,"Why don't you...?"... I did.

 

I-pod is my MP3 player of choice, can't see why you wouldn't want to use it in this situation as well

 

What about headphones. I've tried using the standard earpiece headphones with no luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't even waste your money. If you've got a pipe on then you're not even gonna hear it at idle. Let alone while you're riding.
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that was my thread a while ago you said that one. i never got on b/c it wasn't worth me crashing over

 

I don't ride with music mainly because i get all hopped up and wanna start either doin dumb **** or dancin while cruisin down the freeway



and out of those two...i usually dance

 

do you guys put both earpieces on while riding? cause i'm pretty sure that is illegal here in CA. i was thinking if i did that, just to have it in one ear to be legal/safer

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its illegal because I know for sure that it's illegal when you're driving.

 

i use these everywhere, at home/work...excellent isolation from wind. probably not legal, but i only use them for long highway trips. would not use in urban setting. just turn off the music and they are like earplugs

http://www.epinions.com/Etymot...s_ER6

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falconGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i use these everywhere, at home/work...excellent isolation from wind. probably not legal, but i only use them for long highway trips. would not use in urban setting. just turn off the music and they are like earplugs

http://www.epinions.com/Etymot...s_ER6</TD></TR></TABLE>

Those Etymotic ER6's look the part. How effective are they against wind noise at freeway speeds?

 

they are excellent. they offer good isolation. i could tell they were slightly louder than the foam type earplugs, but eough to prevent fatigue and hearing loss from wind.

they are $100 though. but they offer the best fidelity / isolation in a earplug style headphone. there are better ones but they are made by the same company and cost 2.5x more.

 

I have some cheap earphones that you can use with earplugs. Just cut a hole in the middle of the foam earplug, and route the hollow sound tube through. I think they were like $10 or so. Work well. I'll see if I can post a pic.

I wish somebody would merge this type of noise blocking with active noise cancellation. Seems like you can only get one or the other.

 

I've noticed on the Lyra that it starts to distort at higher volumes while using the DSP. Need to use it on FLAT for overall clarity.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't want anything dangling around my neck 'cause I know it'll start flapping and slapping. Just like the chest strap on my backpack.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well I wear it under my shirt, silly.

About using them, I wear mine on the way to work, cause it's a long drive (35min). Yes it's hard to hear, esp. without using both earphones, but it's loud enough to entertain.

 

ipod. done.

 

I have a 512meg mpio that my girlfriend bought me. Its tiny so it fits right in my jacket pocket. It weighs nothing.

 

As promised, here are the cheap noise blocking bud earphones I use...Check out the second review.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...Y84XB

You can find them around for $9 to 20$ and they work very well. I thew away the koss foam and use foam earplugs cut in half with a hole through the middle.

 

those koss "the plug" earphones look great!

i might pick up a pair of those just to try on the bike, and keep the pricey er-6's at home.

 

As long as you throw away the crap foam they come with, and use drug store ear plugs instead, they work great. And the bass is really amazing... you really need be careful with the volume or you can probably damage your ears.

 

Finally got my MP3 player and mounted it. Only got one sorry picture though. I post more up later 'cause I'm at work.

Its the "hand held" cradle for the SAMSUNG Yepp Sports YP-60V MP3 Player. It comes with a "arm holster" too.

I drilled a little hole (again, more pictures later) and mounted it on my steering damper. Now I can pause and adjust volume even with my gloves on (only at a light ofcourse)


Modified by ScareyH22A at 1:32 PM 8/12/2004


Modified by ScareyH22A at 1:32 PM 8/12/2004


Modified by ScareyH22A at 1:32 PM 8/12/2004

 

BAH!!! Can't resize this thing. I'll try again later.