Poll: listening to music/headphones during street riding

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I'm reminded of a story involving a fellow rider listening to music. There were three of us; we'd ridden before several times, on different bikes even. We pull up to a four way intersection. I'm in the rear, the two guys in front of me stop side by side and quickly discuss which way we're going. The guy on the outside is listening to music. I could hear from my vantage point the guy on the inside say "let's go straight through" and point his finger. The guy on the outside shakes his head in agreement and takes off slowly. Half a second later the guy on the inside takes off...half way through the intersection the guy on the outside wearing headphones cuts left in front of both of us. Luckily I was barely moving and stopped easily; the guy in front of me was forced into evasive maneuvers which he could not make, dropped his 2 week old bike in the middle of the intersection, footpeg right on his ankle. He ended up with a broken footpeg, scratched fairings, and a pretty severely sprained ankle.

I help him pick his bike up and we cruise 100ft down the road where our 'buddy' is standing, helmet off, waiting. He's apologetic enough, but his excuse was "I didn't hear you". Needless to say we never rode with that guy again and it signaled the end of the friendship between them (there were other reasons too).

Easily avoidable accident.
 
I never agree with not riding in a group with tunes. there is to much going on when in a group. Now when I am just riding to work (about a 45 min ride ) i will. It makes the morning ride faster.
 
Good Topic.....Certinly a lot to learn from all of your experiences and thoughts. I sorta' look at it this way, riding in groups no way, as stated too much going on, riding in the city or high traffic areas again no way.

Other side of the coin, FM road carv'n 1098S alone no traffic = iPod & iPhone with isolator ear buds. Longer trips on the K12S = ear-buds XM . Still no matter what you've got to stay alert.

Speaking for me my $.02..........I sure not one to give advice
 
When I ride I can hear my music, the bike, vehicles around me etc etc etc. Maybe I have better hearing then others and maybe I can walk and chew gum better then others but in over 20 years of riding, traffic has never cause me any problems. I love music, I love riding, I love that I can combine 2 loves into one big love.
 
Have done it once or twice but the standard ear buds on the iPod make my ears ache like crazy because of helmet pressure after about 20 minutes. It's a lot of fun though in my opinion, really adds to the ride not detracts. However because of the pain problem and only having done it once or twice as a result, I haven't had to make any decision on the safety side of it because I don't do it because it hurts LOL.
 
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