Today i tried to get in a few miles with a JBL Clip 2 on the handle bars. While i do enjoy the silence, i am not sure i will wear ear buds. Are you running speakers on your bike?

I've tried many options, bikes with stereo system (K1200LT), headphones in helmet with the Vstrom, and the one that works the best for me, my Sena SMH-10 bluetooth while I wear my earplugs. Lets me talk calls, listen to navigation and music all from my phone.

My Cardo Packtalk Bold will do radio and music from my phone, but I rarely have it on. Just not what I want when I ride. To me, it is like going camping and having the same sounds on that you have at home. I like the ride to be engine and wind, and only occasionally do I want the 'same old' in my ears.

But if you do want music, then I'd think that audio streamed to speakers in your helmet would be best. You are still able to block out wind and engine noise so that you are protecting your hearing, and also getting audio at a modest level, where you can hear the music without being blasted by the sound competing with all the other ambient noise.

I have an Autocomm system, an older one, hardwire to the helmet rather than bluetooth. I have VOX stitch and PTT button next to my horn on left handlebar for mic, stereo speakers in helmet, also noise sensor in helmet for noise cancelling. I have direct connection to my Zumo GPS, I have a SD card of MP3 I put in the zumo, several play lists, I did a play all when I did my IBA BunBurner Gold, in 24 hours, never had a repeat. I have a bluetooth connection between cell phone and the Autocomm, phone calls at 80 mph are clearer than stopped and without aid of the noise cancelling and volume priorities, another input is my V-1 radar detector, and I have an input for 2 way radio, I've used it with cheap FRS radios and my nice Motorolas

and if you just want the music of the exhaust... just turn it off

Ear buds when listening to music. Ear plugs when not.

I did recently get a new iPhone with no 3mm aux plug (thanks Apple for making things harder) so charging the phone via the lightening cord and using ear buds at the same time were out. I ended up buying a BT receiver the ear buds plug (about the size of a box of matches if any one remembers those) that will play music for 12+ hours per charge. Plug the ear buds into the receiver put the receiver in you pocket and you can now lug the phone in and charge it while you enjoy some tunes. Also nice becaseu you are not physically threatened to the phone so if the phone is in the Ram mount I can get off the bike and walk u to 30' away with out loosing connection. This is helpful when getting into a pannier or gassing up and now not having to unplug the ear buds when I dismount the bike.

My current set-up is a Griffin i-Trip Clip Bluetooth headphone adapter (which, according to a quick web search, seems to be no longer available) connected to a set of Shure se215 headphones. I put the i-Trip on the right cuff of my jacket so I can operate it with my left hand and run the headphone cord up my sleeve. I've used this set-up for about 3 years and it's worked pretty well. However, my i-Trip just stopped working so I'll have to find something to replace it.

I use ear buds that have memory foam. Seals out the wind and road noise better.

I happily use an Autocomm as well.

Expensive but after using it for 10 years now I have very much gotten my money's worth.

..Tom

Pioneer Rayz allow charging and listening via the Lightning port at the same time.
https://www.pioneerrayz.com
Just be careful with any rain ....takes a LOOOOONG time to stop crackling if any moisture gets in. Otherwise the noise cancelling works well and they are very low profile. Different tips helps the seal. I use a very thin balaclava to keep them in place and easier putting helmet on and off.
The outside helmet controls are useful but that's where the moisture can get in.
I generally just have the Rayz plugged into the iPhone on short rides and on longer rides I charge the phone while listening. As navigation and a full bright screen really eats battery life that feature was critical.

Ah one note on the Rayz...you need to set up the noise cancelling while riding ( not a big deal to do) but really helps clarity especially on Audible books which I listen to constantly while riding....only occasionally music.

•••••

All weather earphones are the Shure SE215 with replaceable everything.
https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles...nion_the_best/

You have to position them correctly in your ears to get them to be low profile. But very durable and now going on 5 years with no issue. Again choice of tips matter for seal. I found a new supplier whose tips I really like but can't recall the name. They are bright red as well so can find the earphones easily if I set them down.
Maybe these ..

https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-E...922289912&th=1

Yes there are several options o be able to charge and listen at the same time via a splitter AKA "Dongle". I bought 3 of the "Dongles" off Amazon and in short order 2 quit working. I'd use the Apple splitter but it is a small box and will not work with the Lifeproof case I use. I like the Lifeproof case as it is waterproof and has a flip open trap door for the charger port. Even in the rain since the port is on the bottom of the phone water does not effect the operation.


I bought a Mpow BH129 Bluetooth Receiver from Amazon for $15.99 and am quite happy. Asa in my initial post not being physically wired to the phone has its advantages. No more forgetting to unplug the head phones get off the bike and then pull the ear buds out of you ears.