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Using an ipod while riding

3511 Views 19 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  Capt. Redbeard
So a little while ago my ipod got stollen out of my car. I just found out that my girlfriend has ordered me a new ipod nano to give me as an anniversary gift. I would love to use it while I'm out riding but how do you guys use it? Do you just keep it in your pocket? I was thinking about picking up one of those armbands and strapping it on outside of my jacket so I could easily change tracks. I know if I go down it will be much more vulnerable here, but if I'm going down my ipod is the least of my worries.
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Buy a tank bag and store it in the clear top pocket.
I set mine to 'shuffle' and just leave it in my pocket. My only issue is not being able to adjust the volume on-the-fly.

I've debated an armband for my iPod, but have not found one sufficiantly water-proof enough for daily commuting.
I stick mine in my front chaps pocket. I can tap through the leather to fast forward to the next track, or pause the music, but can't adjust volume. That's good enough for me.
The churn of my big V-twin mill and the roar of my deafening pipes are all the music I need
The churn of my big V-twin mill and the roar of my deafening pipes are all the music I need

for all else............theres mastercard
back to the I-pod, bad idea on the armband thing, most states its one ear only for the ear plug, adverrtising it is asking to be pulled over and checked.

now to answer the question..........I wear a half helmet and my problem was hearing it, I bought some killer ear buds at walmart for $15,when it is warm I wear half gloves and keep it in my vest side pocket, I put it in the same way and know where the controls are

when cold, I set it and deal with it
I tuck my MP3 player inside my coat pocket when it's cooler temps and in my vest in warmer temps. I love the music when I'm riding.
I set mine to 'shuffle' and just leave it in my pocket. My only issue is not being able to adjust the volume on-the-fly.

I've debated an armband for my iPod, but have not found one sufficiantly water-proof enough for daily commuting.
Yeah, that blows...
I can't tell if the nano has actual buttons on it or the touch thingamajig. If it's the thingamajig, I couldn't get the controls to work through my gloves and the map pocket plastic cover of my tank bag. The shuffle would work. I ended up getting the Sansa c200, which has actual buttons like the shuffle, but also has an FM receiver as well. The main annoyance is that the volume buttons are not on the front and so accessing them can be tricky at times.

The main thing going for it is that its lanyard actually connects to the body of the mp3 player. Others attach to a plastic removable cover for some reason. If you do put it in a tankbag, make sure you have some kind of retention system. I lost my shuffle when my sleeve somehow caught my headphone line, which yanked the ipod out of the tankbag and onto I40 somewhere north of let's say 65 mph.

Sorry to hear about the theft. Enjoy your new one.
As far as controlling an Ipod on the fly. We carry and I use a product called the Ijet. It works with the large or "classic" Ipods only. The remote mounts where you want, (I mount mine on the left handlebar) it controls volume and and moving track to track. I'm sure there are other options out there. This just happens to be one that I like and our costumers have purchased in large numbers.
I use the sansa also...........I use the dial for the volume control
back to the I-pod, bad idea on the armband thing, most states its one ear only for the ear plug, adverrtising it is asking to be pulled over and checked.

Uh oh!! :shock: Didn't know that. I wear my MP3 on an armband on my right arm, convenient & love it! Never been pulled.....yet, anyway. Maybe cuz my armband is black & matches my jacket

Never had a prob not being waterproof since I don't ride in the rain too much. When I've been caught, I just put my rain jacket on over it, no prob! I'll keep using the armband till some cop makes me stop, or maybe I find a setup like ReticentZ, that sounds pretty handy!:biggrin: 8)
I know I am getting old, and I don't have Spok's loud humming pipes (you can hardly hear the wannabeabigbike since I put the stock mufflers back on. The 2 HD owner's next door objected to the NOISE!) but just the wind, the road, all the sights to see (fields, blue sky, SUV grills, skid marks going off the side) are enough for me. I am going to hook up my ham radio handheld and a cb or fmrs once I get a windshield to hide them behind, to keep in touch or talk when I am parked. But when riding? Just get another cell phone and glue it to the helmet!! It's just like thinking! You can't THINK good while your mouth is running. You can't ride good when your mind is humming along. Just an opinion. As everyone has become aware, I have one of those and other things, at least!
I have a ZUNE and a Shuffle I like the Shuffle best 'cause its small and can clip to nearly anything, I use the tank-bag mostly and the controlls are pretty easy to use on the fly since there is nothing to "see" there is no need to look. I have had passengers that enjoyed watching the zune on a long highway night-ride Bend OR to Port Angeles Battery went dead 1/2 way into the 3rd movie ~she said~
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I use an I-Jet remote that I put in the clear map pocket of my tank bag. With gloves on, I can adjust the volume and advance through the playlist. I keep the actual I-pod in my inside jacket pocket.
I have a clear case clip that I clip to my belt and listen to a certain playlist. The only thing that sucks is, changing the volume when you are driving.
I guess i too a different approach... i have a darkened shield... so i stuck a piece of Velcro on an unseeable part of the consol and just stick the ipod to the velcro to the bike, that way i can see the sucker.
Suppose I'm going to agree in principle with Romad/Spok/ and Nils. I just think that listening to music while riding a motorcylce is dangerous. No list of reasons or lectures. You already know all that. It's just a bad policy.
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