Bose QC II Earbuds
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 117
From: NW Georgia
First, an apology for a less-than-complete post on 11/7. I had earlier posted (9/20 I think
) that I was going to let everyone know how the new Bose QC II earbuds worked while riding. On 9/23, a car smacked into me while I was moving into a left turn lane at a major intersection in town. Hit me full-on, like a sledge hammer to my left calf and ankle. Nothing broken, just massive soft issue to my lower left leg. Probably my fault
I misjudged either the oncoming cars distance from me, or its closing speed, and was hit. Bike fell down on the right, but other than a small scratch on that sides saddlebag guard, and the left side of the engine guard where the car hit Elroy, no damage
and I had just a couple weeks earlier bought and installed Road King Classic leather saddlebags ($1,150). In that respect, with no damage to the bags, fortune was smiling on me. Took me a month+ to be able to use my left leg to get the motorcycle up off the kickstand
I say all that to say that on my second ride on Elroy the Bose earbuds performed wonderfully. Very, very comfortable due to the smaller size and ear tip improvements, but great sound reproduction on both highs and lows, and plenty loud. Best earbuds Ive ever used. I forgot to mention that on my 11/7 post more excited about the ride than the earbuds I guess
I say all that to say that on my second ride on Elroy the Bose earbuds performed wonderfully. Very, very comfortable due to the smaller size and ear tip improvements, but great sound reproduction on both highs and lows, and plenty loud. Best earbuds Ive ever used. I forgot to mention that on my 11/7 post more excited about the ride than the earbuds I guess
Last edited by HaydenHeywoodHayes; Nov 12, 2022 at 08:07 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 288
First, an apology for a less-than-complete post on 11/7. I had earlier posted (9/20 I think
) that I was going to let everyone know how the new Bose QC II earbuds worked while riding. On 9/23, a car smacked into me while I was moving into a left turn lane at a major intersection in town. Hit me full-on, like a sledge hammer to my left calf and ankle. Nothing broken, just massive soft issue to my lower left leg. Probably my fault
I misjudged either the oncoming cars distance from me, or its closing speed, and was hit. Bike fell down on the right, but other than a small scratch on that sides saddlebag guard, and the left side of the engine guard where the car hit Elroy, no damage
and I had just a couple weeks earlier bought and installed Road King Classic leather saddlebags ($1,150). In that respect, with no damage to the bags, fortune was smiling on me. Took me a month+ to be able to use my left leg to get the motorcycle up off the kickstand
I say all that to say that on my second ride on Elroy the Bose earbuds performed wonderfully. Very, very comfortable due to the smaller size and ear tip improvements, but great sound reproduction on both highs and lows, and plenty loud. Best earbuds Ive ever used. I forgot to mention that on my 11/7 post more excited about the ride than the earbuds I guess
I say all that to say that on my second ride on Elroy the Bose earbuds performed wonderfully. Very, very comfortable due to the smaller size and ear tip improvements, but great sound reproduction on both highs and lows, and plenty loud. Best earbuds Ive ever used. I forgot to mention that on my 11/7 post more excited about the ride than the earbuds I guess
Thanks for the brief review. . I'm going to get a pair. Ride safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
I use Airpods pro. Great for blocking wind noise on the highway, and since I'm close to deaf and prefer them to my regular $3000 hearing aids anyway, they work really well to enhance surrounding sounds while lowering the volume of the bike / exhaust in town. Until I got them, I had NO idea my clutch lever squeaks every time I pull it in. 
Hopefully the QCII's will be great for riding!
Edit: - Want to add that people are probably going to question the legality of wearing noise cancelling earbuds while riding. Yes, in many states (including mine), they are illegal. That said, I've never been bothered by police while wearing them and they are bright white - quite visible. Since they seal tightly to the ear canal, and ALL sound is blocked, then digitally reproduced by the circuitry, loud noises such as exhaust and wind noise are reduced, while quiet sounds like birds and distant sirens are enhanced. I maintain they are safer than riding without, but a judge would likely disagree.
For people wearing a helmet of course, this is irrelevent.
Hopefully the QCII's will be great for riding!
Edit: - Want to add that people are probably going to question the legality of wearing noise cancelling earbuds while riding. Yes, in many states (including mine), they are illegal. That said, I've never been bothered by police while wearing them and they are bright white - quite visible. Since they seal tightly to the ear canal, and ALL sound is blocked, then digitally reproduced by the circuitry, loud noises such as exhaust and wind noise are reduced, while quiet sounds like birds and distant sirens are enhanced. I maintain they are safer than riding without, but a judge would likely disagree.
For people wearing a helmet of course, this is irrelevent.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 117
From: NW Georgia
Thanks, TedMan. Learned a lesson from this very lucky event
and Keithhu, I wear a half helmet (BadAss Jockey half helmet) and havent ever lost an earbud.
Last edited by HaydenHeywoodHayes; Nov 12, 2022 at 01:55 PM.
I dont wear a helmet. I didnt include that detail because I get tired of being lectured.
There are silicone in-ear sleeves that are sold online to stop the AirPods coming out but I dont even use those, they stay in just fine for the most part. I occasionally do poke them in a bit further but have never lost one.
There are silicone in-ear sleeves that are sold online to stop the AirPods coming out but I dont even use those, they stay in just fine for the most part. I occasionally do poke them in a bit further but have never lost one.
@Ultra103 , difficult to know from you post if you do or do not wear a helmet. If not, how do you keep the AirPods from flying off? I have to think you use them with a FF helmet, yes?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
I don’t wear a helmet. I didn’t include that detail because I get tired of being lectured.
There are silicone in-ear sleeves that are sold online to stop the AirPods coming out but I don’t even use those, they stay in just fine for the most part. I occasionally do poke them in a bit further but have never lost one.
There are silicone in-ear sleeves that are sold online to stop the AirPods coming out but I don’t even use those, they stay in just fine for the most part. I occasionally do poke them in a bit further but have never lost one.
edit - to be more clear, not wearing a helmet is fine, but the pros cost $250, I personally wouldn't risk having them blow off while riding. Heck, they occasionally fall out when I'm doing situps!
Last edited by Keithhu; Nov 12, 2022 at 08:26 PM.
My wife's fall out when she takes her helmet off, although I think it's more because she rides a Honda
Try it once on a short ride if you're interested. You might be surprised.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 480
Likes: 321
From: FL winter, northern MI summer
The earbuds sounds like something I would like for music. Pardon my ignorance, but what do you Bluetooth the music to them from? Is there an app for the cellphone?
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Yes, for the Bose there are two apps involved, one from Bose and then the other is whatever source you want for the music/radio/etc.
For me I can stream from the head unit on the bike using either the radio or thumb drive, this is done with a Sena FreeWire,
or,
I can stream from the phone using XM, iHeart, Spotify, etc., any audio app that you want to use
For me I can stream from the head unit on the bike using either the radio or thumb drive, this is done with a Sena FreeWire,
or,
I can stream from the phone using XM, iHeart, Spotify, etc., any audio app that you want to use
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 480
Likes: 321
From: FL winter, northern MI summer
Yes, for the Bose there are two apps involved, one from Bose and then the other is whatever source you want for the music/radio/etc.
For me I can stream from the head unit on the bike using either the radio or thumb drive, this is done with a Sena FreeWire,
or,
I can stream from the phone using XM, iHeart, Spotify, etc., any audio app that you want to use
For me I can stream from the head unit on the bike using either the radio or thumb drive, this is done with a Sena FreeWire,
or,
I can stream from the phone using XM, iHeart, Spotify, etc., any audio app that you want to use