Telephone calls whilst riding

[DryRob]

My helmet restricts my head movements therefore observations, should I get rid of it?

What about wind noise damaging your hearing?

[simonm]

Out of interest, when having passengers in the car, do we sit there in silence? Are they banned from uttering a word, lest they remove you from the zone?

I knew this one would come up - other car occupants are aware of what's happening at the same time as you are so if you were driving in a snowstorm then yes, they would be quiet and allow you to concentrate on the job in hand
 
However this is about why the hell are telephone conversations necessary whilst riding a motorcycle - not driving a car, so the point is moot.
 
What radio station and what kitchen utensils you listen to and play with are entirely up to you, neither requires a licence to do so and anyone entering your kitchen does so at their own risk, other road users do not have any choice and are entitled to the same standard of concentration and driving from everyone.

So by your definition you never look at the scenery either  as it's not "the job in hand"?  What a boring life.  Riding is about being confident enough in your ability and the bike and your experience to actively enjoy the ride.  If that is looking at scenery, humming whilst listening to music or talking to a pillion, fellow rider or your mum in law.  I have bluetooth hands free in my car and since I've been driving for 15 years feel that I am capable of talking meaningless dross with my mum or wife whilst still being able to look at hazards, drive confidently and enjoy myself (apart from having to listen to the mum or wife)

And you will carry on believing that you do not need 100% concentration until you have an accident, ever heard the saying pride goes before a fall?
 
Your ability is only part of what is required to keep you alive on the road, what if you meet someone just like you on the road one day who isn't fully concentrating?
 
With your attitude you may well end up one of those people that claims never to have had an accident in a hundred years of motoring but has never looked behind them to see what they caused either.
 
Take an advanced riding course and see what they have to say about it - and don't quote that they use intercoms to teach you, that's a learning tool and not over used during the lessons or used for idle chatter which takes your mind off riding.

I'm glad I've got you here to tell me how to live my life.     There is nothing wrong with having an opinion until you believe that yours is right to the detriment of other peoples.  I don't profess to know everything but it would be nice to see understanding and humility of differing perspectives without telling people that they're wrong.


Even if I didn't listen to music my driving wouldn't be perfect. C'est la vie.  I suppose you'll be at the front of the queue telling the police officers that they have to stop every time they want to talk to dispatch.  I'm sure you'll find some justification to excuse them whilst stringing up the rest of us. 


You talk as if you're perfect, sometime you'll fall from the pedestal and realise that everyone, you included, is fallible and human and we make mistakes regardless of the extent of our training.

[simonm]

The third is the most important - it uses the accelerometer in my phone to detect a crash / fall from my bike. If it does then it will send a text message to a designated contact including my GPS location and a link to Google Maps so that they can get help to me if necessary. My contact knows to check latitude first to see if I am still moving and if it is just a false reading.

Please can you tell me what app you use for this bit ?
Cheers
Simon

This appears to have brought up several requests in my inbox haha, should have mentioned it :P

The app is called CRADAR and is by ActionXL

Thank you muchly.

[Revilo18]

The third is the most important - it uses the accelerometer in my phone to detect a crash / fall from my bike. If it does then it will send a text message to a designated contact including my GPS location and a link to Google Maps so that they can get help to me if necessary. My contact knows to check latitude first to see if I am still moving and if it is just a false reading.

Please can you tell me what app you use for this bit ?
Cheers
Simon

There are a few - I've used this one and it has only ever sent out a false alarm once (and luckily has never had to send out a real alarm).
http://www.appbrain.com/app/cradar/actionxl.mandown.
Oh and I listen to music on my bike using some noise cancelling phones most rides. I do this because I love bikes, and I love music -  but most of all I loves bikes-and-music! Ain't no big ting - as long as you can hear the traffic and your revs... you don't have to have it jacked way up. Coz I listen to the music from my phone - sometimes people call and it inturupts my music, but becuasae my ringtone is one of my favourite songs, it's all love! I never answer it though. I go riding mainly so that I can be alone, so that I can think - giving 100% concentration to the road clears all unnecessary thoughts and worries from my head and allow me to digest problems. The music is just a backing track - I only remember it when i look back after the ride.
Each to their own - I wouldn't want to talk on the phone - but I don't necessarily think it's uber dangerous. I quite like the idea of closing a mega deal while bombing down a [private, of course] road at 100.......
 

[Dead Eye]

That appears to be exactly the same app as me haha :P

[sadlonelygit]

i've got a starcom which has an ipod and swmbo connected to it. it can have a bluetooth connection but when i'm on the bike, it's me time. if i were a courier or a top surgeon then possibly i'd be contactable, but i'm not so the world can wait.

[Revilo18]

That appears to be exactly the same app as me haha :P

Yer posted without realising there was a page two.....   

[Raymy]

Ok budgie, yer sure makin yerself out to be awfy holy and an that so here we go


On the moot point issue. You mention busting drivers for having a hand at their ear and rightly so you bring em up it makes it valid. However you seem to forget that you should be in control so what difference is it to tell someone on the phone to shut up a minute while you hare it round the local version of copse to telling the wife to shut her face cos theres a yeti attacking the motor and you need to concemtrate. The sheer mention of having to tell her to shoosh might suggest you arent giving it 100% in the first.  My my, how dare thee. You need a licence to do that dontcha know and your better half is potentially killing innocents by proxy all because she cannae handle some flakes without giving you the 3rd degree. Tsk tsk. The post is about concentration from what I can see, point stands.

Now, not am I for a second suggesting that you should feel the need to use a phone on a bike, however if you feel you need it then surely they should be aware enough to adjust their riding and not hare it round copse?
No?

I have used a phone on the bike as many others have, I also use it driving as well because my job needs me to be reachable. Funnily enough, I adjust to suit or stop no matter what vehicular media I'm using. I also listen to music and in fact actively encourage it. Theres plenty of studies done over the years that support the claims that music assists in FOCUSSING BETTER on a task.

Whodathunkit?

So to help ease your mind and set you onto a path of acceptance, love and tolerance I should just like to say that it can be done, people dodo it and it can be done with no ill effects on the majority of occasions. You should calm your mind with the knowledge that tthat's just the way and maybe even smoke a doobie or two. You'll thank me later

[Grahamm]

When is it suitable to not give 100% concentration whilst operating something that could kill you or others?

When I'm in a situation where it's extremely unlikely that anything that could happen which could "kill me or others".

If I'm riding down a motorway which has light traffic on, there's nothing within 100 metres ahead of me, nowhere someone could pull out from, nobody in my blind spot and plenty of time to see anything that could be a hazard to me, then I don't see a need to give absolutely 100% concentration to my riding and would not feel worried about taking a phone call on my hands-free headset.

However if the situation changed to one where I *do* need to put my concentration into my riding, it would be "got to go, talk later, bye".

[Grahamm]

I knew this one would come up - other car occupants are aware of what's happening at the same time as you are so if you were driving in a snowstorm then yes, they would be quiet and allow you to concentrate on the job in hand

Lol! You're expecting them (and the driver!) to exercise some common sense?!

I was in a car where the guy in the passenger seat was rabbiting on about something completely insignificant that nobody else was interested in, even though we were in heavy traffic. Finally the driver told him to shut up so he could concentrate and the passenger spent the rest of the journey sulking!

(Oh, and the passenger was not a stroppy teenager, he's about 50!)

[Grahamm]

So by your definition you never look at the scenery either  as it's not "the job in hand"?  What a boring life.  Riding is about being confident enough in your ability and the bike and your experience to actively enjoy the ride.  If that is looking at scenery, humming whilst listening to music or talking to a pillion, fellow rider or your mum in law. 

Ah, so you *don't* always have to give 100% concentration to your riding.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[taylor]

if you want to answer your phone when riding then do so, if you dont well dont, simples   PERSONAL CHOICE.

[simonm]

if you want to answer your phone when riding then do so, if you dont well dont, simples   PERSONAL CHOICE.

Well said. As long as it's hands free it's all good.

[Raymy]

By the way, what is the view of autocom and the likes?

[taylor]

that,s right your not wrong.

[Jacko]

I don't believe it's even possible to give 100% concentration to anything for long.

I don't use a phone or have tunes on the bike as I can't be arsed. I do however sing,
loudly and badly, I also solve many work issues while tootling along and mail them when I get home.
I look at the scenery, sky, weather, nice cars, price of petrol and countless other shite.

[noggythenog]

Im with you on your original point streetbudgie,i got fed up halfway through the replies & no doubt theres some good arguments but they do say trust your first thought & im with you all the way.theres no need for it.folk that do it are great crested blue TITS!!!!

[Raymy]

At least you made a worthwhile contribution yourself there with the inclusion of tits

[noggythenog]

At least you made a worthwhile contribution yourself there with the inclusion of tits

Sorry bout that




I was havin a bill oddy moment


It's gotta be better than bein a seagull!!!!!.....a seagull talkin on its tiny wee phone whilst eatin chips...all whilst flying

[simonm]

At least you made a worthwhile contribution yourself there with the inclusion of tits

I agree. As reddit once said (it didn't really, but it should have) a post is definitely improved by the inclusion of tits. More mammaries than the bird or person variety though.

[Ash69]

Just a thought, but maybe if you could talk on your phone whilst riding there might be a few more luverly laydie bikers




I'll get me jacket........................

[Raymy]

Its ok we have it here for you already. Taxi on the way as well

[noggythenog]

Just a thought, but maybe if you could talk on your phone whilst riding there might be a few more luverly laydie bikers




I'll get me jacket........................

Hey ash,any chance o goin halfs on the taxi home,i'd phone my missus for a lift but...........i didnt bring my phone!!!

[Ash69]

Even if you did have your phone - she wouldn't pick up, even though it's probably glued to her ear 24/7 .................

[noggythenog]

Even if you did have your phone - she wouldn't pick up, even though it's probably glued to her ear 24/7 .................

I cant believe you know my missus .....so true.


She waits til im driving before phoning me then moans at me for not answering it incase i was 'in a ditch' even though that very call could be what puts me in the ditch....sorry love my safety's more important than your peace of mind dare i say it , shame on me