listening to the radio

[MikeRocchio]

SO I'm set up with my new XM and Etymotic headphones. Now every time I pass an officer of the law I wonder if I'm going to get pulled over. I know that there is a law, in Cali, that says that you cannot drive with headphones on, but I'm not sure how or if it is enforced.

The question is have any of you, that listen to music while riding, had any issues with Johny Law?

 

[twowheelnut]

I've never had an issue and I've been pulled over twice with headphones on. The coppers never said boo about it, but I do believe it is still illegal to have one in each ear, but not illegal to wear just one...

The regulation regarding ear plugs has been modified and any plug is legit now, so long and they are not plugged into an audio source.

 

[sparky3008]

In Maryland you can have audio in 1 ear.

I thought there was a website that listed each state law somewhere?

 

[twowheelnut]

https://www.law4hogs.com/law.html

 

[sparky3008]

California motorcycle law

Isn't posting weblinks fun :lol:

 

[Bounce]

Never been a problem in all my years of riding with ear plugs or ear monitors in every state of the Union. Time I was pulled over I know the officers saw me remove the ear plugs. It was never mentioned. In all but very few cases those encouters resulted in warnings.

Attitude goes a long way to mitigate a roadside encounter.

ymmv

 

[sparky3008]

When I was in my late teens I rode my Yamaha Maxim 550 with a bunch of Harley guys.

One guy had no turn signals and we got stopped for speeding. The cop walked around that bike for 5 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong. He never did but he knew something was.

A lot of times the cops just don't look for that stuff.

 

[slapnpop]

The cop walked around that bike for 5 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong. He never did but he knew something was.

He really liked the bike, and just wanted a good reason to "impound" it!

That's what he couldn't find...

 

[TahoeBound]

Experimenting with many music/earphone/intercom combos over 25+ years of riding, about a year ago I finally came up with by far the best solution to date. Orange foam earplugs ($2 a dozen or so) and my MP3 player wired through my StarComm1 intercom. With the StarComm1 speakers mounted semi-permanent in my helmet (easy), this combo has allowed me to ride legal in Prunieville (SoCal), maximize quiteness and still clearly hear my music.

Another good thing about this set-up is it moves easily from bike to bike.

 

[FJRocket]

Funny you should mention that. I got trooped last week. He came up to the bike ranting at me. I held a "just a moment" finger at him while I turned off my Zen (into my Etymotics). Though for sure he was going to read me my rights. Anyway, I got the lecture, never took my Symax off (just flipped the front up), and apologized for not following the law and generally being a dumb ass.

He did NOT say anything about the ear phones or radio. Of course in Indiana there is NO law about earphones or plugs. Not much law in those grey areas at all. I DO know that there are laws against speeding, not signaling, not yeilding, wreckless driving and endangerment. Merry Christmas, though (Dec 26th...).

I was happy to find out that I could have a normal conversation with the nice troop with my helmet on and my plugs in (xm off). And I know I can hear sirens and such. And boom boxes. And bass woofers from lo riders...etc...

When I come out west, I'm riding with my full audio hookup. If I get ticketed, I'll pay it (maybe) and keep right on going.

Plugs in and tunes on!

 

[Bounce]

I was happy to find out that I could have a normal conversation with the nice troop with my helmet on and my plugs in (xm off).

But you lose the "old geezer" trump card if you keep your helmet on. That's good for turning many a near-ticket into a warning.

 

[Divenride]

Stop worrying ....they can't catch you anyway.

 

[madmike2]

Bounce, my gray beard counts for something, though.

 

[Bounce]

When I was in my late teens I rode my Yamaha Maxim 550 with a bunch of Harley guys.One guy had no turn signals and we got stopped for speeding. The cop walked around that bike for 5 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong. He never did but he knew something was.

A lot of times the cops just don't look for that stuff.

Nothing illegal about that. He just has to use hand signals instead.

Bounce, my gray beard counts for something, though.

I'd trade gray for taupe any day of the week.

 

[sparky3008]

When I was in my late teens I rode my Yamaha Maxim 550 with a bunch of Harley guys.One guy had no turn signals and we got stopped for speeding. The cop walked around that bike for 5 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong. He never did but he knew something was.

A lot of times the cops just don't look for that stuff.

Nothing illegal about that. He just has to use hand signals instead.

Bounce, my gray beard counts for something, though.

I'd trade gray for taupe any day of the week.

True but he didn't do that either.

My Vstar had no turn signals and when I got stopped for doing 85 in a 55 the first thing he said to me was, "At least you used the proper hand signal".

 

[NoCage]

Damn Sparky... you certainly traded up... Danica to Angelina. :dribble: Brad Pitt... the lucky bastard.

 

[sparky3008]

Damn Sparky... you certainly traded up... Danica to Angelina. :dribble: Brad Pitt... the lucky bastard.

Well, one was for her talent and what she brings to a sport.

The other, well she says it all...

 

[FJRocket]

I was happy to find out that I could have a normal conversation with the nice troop with my helmet on and my plugs in (xm off).

But you lose the "old geezer" trump card if you keep your helmet on. That's good for turning many a near-ticket into a warning.

Who said I'm an old geezer? Glad I had my "BMW" gear on, not my Harley Leathers. And thankfully I had just put my paniers back on. I looked like a touring GEEK (and damn proud of it..). Sorry, perhaps I'm not wrinkled and grey like SOME of you...

 

[Bustanut joker]

Attitude goes a long way to mitigate a roadside encounter.
ymmv

Thats the ticket to avoiding most tickets. Though you do run into an occasional chip carrying dink <_<

:jester: