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What to Listen to on a Motorcycle Ride?

For everyone who’s ever wondered what type of music, or just what at all they should listen to on a motorcycle ride, this one’s for you. Grab your headphones, ’cause there’s so much more to listen to than just the radio or your favorite motorcycle songs.

1) Music

It’s a given. Music is the first thing that comes to mind as far as motorcycle ride audio is concerned. In fact, most people will probably concern themselves with what songs to listen to on a motorcycle ride, or what genre, before they even think of listening to anything but music.

For some, classic rock bands like AC/DC are the only way to go. Others will prefer rap, dance, dubsteb, motorcycle-inspired music, or just something catchy and biker-themed. They’ll play their favourite motorcycle riding songs, or, they’ll just play the motorcycle song:

But with widespread adoption of smartphones and the falling prices of standalone mp3 players there is so much more to audio than just music.

2) Audio Books:

I love audio books. I’m a self-confessed audio book junky. I have an Audible membership which gives me access to any audio book $15/month (first one is free so try it). Bonus: You pay month to month and can cancel at any time at no cost. So far I’ve ‘read’ (ok, listened to) quite a few books:

The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
Zen and Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Richardson
The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time by Hunter S. Thompson
Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the ’80’s by Hunter S. Thompson
Hell’s Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga by Hunter S. Thompson

Audible also offers “The Great Courses“, critically acclaimed lectures from professors all over the world, so you can unleash your inner keener. Some of these provide great material for post-ride inebriated bar banter, or as a way to add more fields of study to your LinkedIn profile, and all without having to do any homework or write a final exam. Not bad!

3) Last Night’s News

I use the CBC Radio app for Canadian news, but there are tons of apps out there from all over the world that will play the full hour’s audio of the news from the night before. Sure, my current affairs news might be a little outdated by the time I hear them, but If I haven’t heard it before, it’s new to me!

4) Podcasts:

Podcasts can be great, even for those with the most particular interests. There really is a podcast out there for everyone. My favourite podcast by far is Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. Dan’s retelling of historical eras, events, and themes is factual and phenomenal. Even when it touches on dark and dramatic, as a history fan the podcast is just plain fun to listen to.

Another podcast I tune in to a couple times a month is GearChic and ADVGoddess’ Moterrific – A Terrific Motorcycle Podcast. The two ladies talk motorcycles, rides, and gear. The gear talk can get a little dry as I never know and can’t see whatever it is they’re talking about, but I’m a big fan of their riding stories and bike reviews. The ladies bring a wealth of experience and an upbeat attitude to the show, making it a pleasure to listen to on the road or while in your office day-dreaming about your ride home.

That’s it. I’ve listened to hundreds of hours of non-music audio while on the road, and probably thousands of hours of music. There really is something out there for everyone, and if it comes time to choose between a good book or a motorcycle ride, why not have both?

Have something you love to listen to while reading? Leave it in the comments.

About Adrian from YouMotorcycle

I started riding motorcycles in 2007, founded YouMotorcycle in 2009, and was working in the motorcycle industry by 2011. I've worked for some of the biggest companies in motorcycling, before going full-time self-employed in the motorcycle business in 2019. I love sharing his knowledge and passion of motorcycling with other riders to help you as best I can.

6 comments

  1. I always thought that listening to traffic, the wind, birds, cows etc was enough.

    Perhaps I’ll try some of these “other” ideas……and see if I can multi-task well enough to stay alive! :-)

  2. when i ride, i listen to the wind, the motor, my own thoughts, and what is going on around me; such as when some dummy in four wheels is hiding in my blind spot.

    NOT listening to music on the road (both city streets and highways) has saved me from disaster a few times. one often hears before one sees.

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