Simplified: Should you listen to music on the motorcycle? | PowerDrift 

Hey #PDArmy, we hope this helped you. Hit that Like button if you did, tell us down below what more you'd like us to cover in this series.

I used to do this when I used to travel late at night with very little traffic... but from now on... I'll switch off the radio even in GTA.

"But during the phase that you're on the motorcycle, that is the entirety of your being. That is all you are doing with your life." Wonderfully summed up.

This is absolutely correct I hate those people who risk others and their own life by just plugging in earphones and listen music at high volume while riding, watching this video while riding my bike

Listening to tunak tunak song gives you 10HP more😂

When you inline 3 or 4.. Exhaust sounds are more mesmerising than songs 🤭 then you don't need earphone🎧

Situational awareness comes by looking in rear view mirrors regularly and using ur neck to look when overtaking and turning in cities. We can hear horn sound while listening to music in medium volume.

Listening to full volume music on Indian roads is a next level Khatro ke Khiladi stunt.

Who needs a music when engine music is already there!!🔥❤️

I do play music with my good and bassy Bluetooth speakers while riding and it serves the purpose pretty much awesome and it grabs attention from people too... Basically my bike became a Poor Man’s Harley Davidson!

But when I listen music on a highway on a long touring... It gives me more concentration on road rather than making me sleepy and lethargic.

Listening to the music at low volume helps me to increase my concentration level. It makes me feel happy and love riding all the more! But this works for me.. not necessarily will work for others. So for me its a personal choice and your comfort level while riding bike.

One of the the reasons I love motorcycling is -it's one of the rare things when I am not distracted and all my mental processes are totally engaged in one activity that's motorcycling. I totally agree with your point about one to be riding with all of his/her being.

Personally I've been using earphones for music for a couple of years now and I haven't encountered any of the problems brought forward here. Also I could easily hear the necessary noises while using it .Of course I don't blast music at full volume which like you said is dumb, but at lower volumes it serves me the similar purpose of earplugs

I recently made a trip and i used 1 earplug at a time, that is the best we can do to enjoy and keep an eye on the surrounding.

I still remember taking my bike on my first long trip and half way through i felt asleep while riding on a extremely straight road, I got scared and had to stop my vehicle. I plugged in my earphones, played songs in low volume and this made me ride even farther distance without any problem

In a place where peeps blink right indicator and turns left ... Alexa play "oo bhai maro mujhe maro"

Been using Sena for over 2 years and used it for music just once, my bike’s engine note is the best music for me.. Yes I own in ear ear buds - never used it or will use it when m on a bike.. It’s basic self preservation when u ride in India as Shumi rightly pointed it out

Listening to music on indian roads while riding ...is like taking a gate pass to hell here no one follows traffic rules 😂

It's a shocking thing that Shumi needs to explain why it is so important to not listen to music while riding.

I used to put one side out (right side) with low volume to hear outside world. And stop the music if traffic is up.

I only use it when I am riding on highways. Never in city traffic. Additionally, I only put the earphone on the left side and I stick to the left side of the road. My right ear and right mirror help me with situational awareness.

Asked the same question from Shumi a few weeks back on instagram and he replied i'm not a right guy to answer this xD

“During the phase that you’re on the motorcycle, that is the entirety of your being” Shumi at his best!! Thank you 🙏 Suggested topic - front and rear brake usage on motorcycles with 1) drum brakes (front and rear) 2) disc (front) brakes and drum (rear) brakes 3) disc brakes (front and rear) 4) engine braking from 100cc to 1000cc

Aside from the safety aspect, I never thought of listening to music because I thought it would be bad for the ears since we need to raise the volume to listen to the music by overcoming the noise of the bike, road, traffic etc.

The thing is, I get more distracted by my own thoughts without music than I do with while riding long distances. And moreover, I don’t use noise cancelling earphones and the volume is fairly low. I also have studied that the mind is good at multitasking when we have different senses active at the same time, but not with multiple activities which are observed through the same sense, so that’s why it’s hard to solve math equations while simultaneously drawing, but it feels more natural to listen to music and jog, because these actions are taking powers from two different sections of the brain which can actually work well in parallel. Hence I would defend listening to music out on longer journeys on the highway in the mornings when the traffic is low and provided the earphones aren’t noise cancelling ones.

I would like to listen to the topic in demand ' how to choose a motorcycle as a beginner'

I just love the simplicity with which you cover such topics. Precise, clean , no nonsense. 👍

Use single earphone , music playing at low volumes serves the purpose. Makes your ride pleasant and takes away the fatigue of long rides. Plugging both ears may be a bad idea though

thank you Shumi..... Please give us a video on High beam and low beam for some good people on Indian roads who dont know how to use them.

I enjoy the sound of 'Hero Honda Splendor Plus' And its splendid

Haven't been a fan of music even while driving a car. I used to feel very agitated and I couldn't hear myself think.On Motorcycles though I have never even tried to listen to music. Now I realised why. I'm distracted all the time. Thank god for this. Keep churning out great content like this guys. You were and are awesome.

Thank you Shumi, great video have never listed to music on a bike and never will.

Straight to the point. Now I realize the importance of earplugs and exhaust notes.

Can you guys make a video on bluetooth intercoms as well? The conference call is a safety feature “as western riders like to talk about and also encourage us to buy” and so do many Indian vloggers too.

This really needed to be addressed. And yes, as the saying goes "When you are on a motorcycle, there is no alternative but to live the moment" and I guess that's exactly what makes motorcycling a cult.

I used to listen to music with ear phones sticked on left ear with minimum volume during long rides.

When a great singer inside me is there, why to use a headphone ... Grt content as always . LML adreno had external speakers ...

How to avoid fatigue or sleepiness on a motorcycle ride.

Thanks shumi, this video is an eye opener! Although whenever i indulge in listening to music while riding, i do prefer plugging only one side. But that does depend upon two scenarios. CASE 1. RIDING: Whenever I go out for a ride, I do that to detach from the world and engage in the hobby. So I prefer soaking in the ambient wind noise, letting my thoughts wander and so... You get the point. CASE 2. COMMUTE: Such rides are boring and the ambient city noise isn't very soothing. So I tend to plug in to some good music but only on one side. While keeping my other ear open for feedback noise and ride slow to get more time to react to any situation. But the point you made on distraction is good and I think I should quit that habit completely. After all realizing mistakes and correcting it is how we grow as riders.

I was not a fan of listening to music primarily because it would block the outside world. But my recent purchase of the Sena changed that perception. Like you said, adjusting the volume really helps and I can stay connected with friends/family should there be any urgency. Hoping these systems get more affordable in India - Sena and Cardo are out of reach for many.

Thanks for the tips Shumi, as always, your explanations hit on a different level. but I can't stop listening to music 🥺

I never listen to music while on the go, safety is definitely a concern..but it also robs a major chunk of the experience of motorcycling... the exhaust note is all the music we need when on the bike

I ride in Europe, the Pyrenees to be precise. I use a cheap intercom for either navigation on tours or music for everyday riding. But I would never listen to music in heavy city traffic on the way to work for example as I agree it can be a bit of a distraction... But listening to music up in the mountains with little traffic actually helps me ride better. For some reason I hit the breaking points better, I shift more smoothly, I get a better line with nice cheerful background music. It also helps taking the wind noise out of my ears and I prefer music to earbuds in that situation... I love and recommend a Rolling Stones best off, but I wouldn't recommend stuff like Marilyn Manson, that puts me personally in a total bash-things-up kinda trance and could end badly. Ride safe y'all

excellent safety information Mr shumi . pls do more safety oriented tips like this ..it will help us to be a motorcyclist for long time in our short life

Loving this new format. Shumi makes it effortless to understand. Keep it up!

Brother Shumi, I share the exact same philosophy motorcycling ... Biking is the holiest of all endeavours without any exceptions... 🤘

Can you please make a Simplified episode on Motorcycle headlights and headlight mods? I think a lot of riders struggle in choosing the right and road legal headlights for their motorcycles. It would be great is Powerdrift simplifies headlights for us. 🙏

I've been listening to music on motorcycles for 10+ years now. I never had a problem. Just keep your eyes open and keep looking the the rear view mirrors.

I listen to music but with only one side of the earphones 😂

Only when I am riding long distances on national highways, that too at a low volume with frequent checks on the rear view mirrors.

Definitely “NO” . Listening to music in a motorcycle might be a very bad idea 😁

If hearing music in motorbike distracts then what about recording while driving sir?

People take calls, text with one hand, ride with chappals, no helmet or safety gear in sight, no rearview, no turn indicators, non working brake lights, woman in saree sitting pillion sideways clutching 3 kids. Headphones is the least concern for this lot with a deathwish. As for motorcycle riders who ride for the pleasure of motorcycling should surely know this already. Regardless, it is good that it's being reiterated. Good on ya Shumi and PD team to talk about relevant topics🤘 Stay alert and don't become organ donors, peeps!

Each and every second of this video and each and every word is 100% correct. Thanks shumi for this myth busting video.

Totally agree to this advice. On a Motorcycle your chances are much less as compared to in a car to start with. By wearing plug ins and accessories while riding you are just increasing the probability of you meeting with an accident more.

i never imagined people even do that, but earplug is great idea SHUMI sir luv

Just avoid plugging in earphones or headphones and listening to music while ridding bikes. It's very dangerous.

Loving these short form explainers sort of vids. Keep it up guys 😁

i tried it about 40-ish yrs ago when i was a teen with a walkman, it lasted 2 miles, never done it since, it ruined my concentration/awareness. i live in the UK and consider it totally daft to do so anywhere in the world.

Tbh, in India even music in the car is a distraction because of how chaotic our roads are. That said the trick for both riding/driving is in the volume.

in my case i just plug one earphone and enjoy music and surrounding sound too ;)

I usually use just one earpiece at low volume. Music is sometimes necessary when the ride is long and you didn't have a good cozy sleep. Lethargic driving could be equally dangerous if not more but yeah make sure that you can hear even your engine sound and then you are good to go

Very glad you got this topic. Thank you for that.

I also listen music while riding via blutooth intercom and it's been more than 2years and if I don't hear the music it seems I can't concentrate well on the road but I think that's just my mode playing with me 😬 Glad to hear your opinion on it Sumi Also one tip don't listen music while riding bike cuz your mood changes depending on the music you are listening and can get very aggressive and you won't even notice it 👍

I would prefer not listening to music while riding a motorcycle as I feel that one will fail to enjoy every bit of the riding. In simple words i'd like to enjoy more with my two wheeler at that moment rather than distract myself.

Shumi is one of the best if not the best thing happened to powerdrift. It is always a joy to listen to his wordplay

Even i listen to music on long rides. I just put the earphone on one side and keep the volume on half. I kinda have to do that because i have a problem of spacing out and going into auto pilot mode while riding or driving for long distances. Music just keeps me aware of the fact that I'm on the road plus, it helps to keep me awake if I'm feeling sleepy. I know it's silly but I'd rather be 80% on the road than be a 100% in my dreams. P. S:- not trying to justify anything. Would definitely recommend everyone to not do what I do. Always follow traffic rules and lane discipline... Ride safe

those people become statistics.

Riding a motorcycle is itself a pleasure, never thought that something is missing like the music during the ride.

I put one airpod in my left ear at low volume to enjoy the melody. Why one ear? You smart enough guys. But why left ear? Answer is left ear's work is to catch vocals or human words while the the right is made to hear the environment sounds. So any horn or traffic noise will be catch my right ear while I'm enjoying music from left ear. So experiment try this on a call. Try hear words from right ear and then left ear you'll feel the difference. So it's all about it. It's my personal experience with some science. And that's how I like it.

Awesome video, very informative for a new rider like me. Could you recommend a pair of good ear plugs too?

I don listen to music but my volume is at low, so that i can also hear the sound from outside environment

Being aware that music does take some of our attention away, i used to listen only on my regular commute route....that too in only one ear..in an effort to try and reduce the risk. But listning to Shumi sir, i agree the focus should be purely on riding. Will stop immidiately. 👍🏻

Man ! That exhaust note is music to me.

The way you explain sir. Huge respect to you.

I tried in-ear headphones once. I couldn't hear anything. I stopped 4km away and removed the headphones. I usually wear earplugs. It cuts the wind noise, road noise and hum from my and other vehicle's engines. The high pitch noises like horns or squeaks are still easily audible but not too loud.

And also adding to what Shumi said, when you're on the road, you're one of the links that might change the world to others riding with you (pillion or other riders). One wrong step by the rider/driver, it might change everything to them or others and to their families. Once you're on the road, you should be VERY responsible and you need ALL your attention on the road and your surrounding. Please do not wear earphones, do not talk on call, do not do excessive speeding, follow all the traffic rules and please wear helmets and other necessary safety gears while riding.🙏

As Shumi explained, you only need to do one thing while riding a motorcycle, Ride it and enjoy the ride.

music on two wheels are not good in Indian roads !!! 100% agree with you !!

*I totally agree with Shumi sir* , music can also affect your mood while riding specially loud music that distract your concentration. My only issue is that while solo riding after riding an hour or so I do get carried away n starts thinking random shit . So i put on headphones keeping them slightly out with low volume music and listen to soft music only.👍🏻🙏

Listening to music should not be a problem if you don't immerse yourself in it and can concentrate on riding. Volume can be a key here.

Makes sense, even in the car I turn the music off of the traffic gets too chaotic, weather gets very bad etc, or if I am planning to drive a little faster..

Please explain on replacing tyres. Should we bother going with stock or change them to something budget friendly and practical?? Like I have to replace my set of Parelli for my Benelli and have a dilemma for which manufacturer to go for.

Couldn't agree more. Music in our kind of traffic conditions is a big NO!.

Very well laid out points. I never prefer nor recommend listening music while riding, be it via Intercom too. Liked the point on we being 100% on motorcycle while riding and hence think of nothing else than riding 👍

Thankfully I never listened music While Riding Ever since I learned it.

Shumi is just more than 100% right. Listening to any sound output needs an extra amount of attention and mental involvement with that sound that one will surely get distracted from the traffic. It incurs huge problem in our country because that person is not only inviting danger for himself but for the other people too who are there on that road. But I need to ask only one question to Powerdrift people that what do they opine about helmet communicator or bluetooth system like Cardo PakTalk, etc.?

I don't listen to music at all while riding (especially a two wheeler) cause while driving on roads like ours we don't know who might just pop up from a cross road and just turn without even looking, where quick reflexes are required. And personally I've had many such circumstances where I had to slam on the brakes with quick reflexes and losing attention or being distracted while driving might be quite dangerous

Always had headphones but never the noise cancelling ones. A rule of thumb of mine is to buy the kind that still allows you to hear faint engine noise on the rear even if I play ACDC with medium volume

I have similar thoughts as you advised. NO Blocking of any noise while riding. Someone may be calling to save you from unseen danger.....

Yet again.. @shumar with a video I didn't know I needed.. loved how you explained it.. especially the motorcycling being a 100% mutually exclusive activity... I so felt it. 🔥

How about using in one ear? I normally do that so that i am aware of the surrounding also.

Until very recently, I always rode with music on. The tinnitus hit me, and now I’ve had to stop. But I feel like I’ve become more alert and involved with the riding experience, now that I don’t have music playing in the background. Really enjoying this series. Thanks for the education.

Which rain jackets or gear would u suggest for monsoon rides

I perfectly agree with you sir but I use earbud in only one ear mostly left ear. Is it better?

You should have included the point of having speaker system.. like it's not cancelling our volume levels like earphones but are speakers a better option to enjoy music while riding than your ordinary earphones

So what to do during long touring on bike? Tips for long touring without getting bored..... Plz. Khardungla to Kanyakumari done. But with music n intercom with brother on another bike. Two solo souls enjoyed n travelled avg approx 700kms daily for 12_14 days ride from home. Twice. But only music n intercom helped. But expert shumi if says music shud b avoided then wht as alternate sir?

Question, on any automotive how hard or soft should be the brake?

I put on only one side of earphone thats too which does not support noise cancellation and keeps the volume just enough so that i can listen to the music well and the ambient sound is also audible only when i go for long rides.