James...
I plug my iPod into my Chatterbox, which has speakers in the helmet, which allow ambient noise in, as well...NO EAR-BUDS. (Aside from that, ear-buds are illegal, here in Cali.) But with the Chatterbox speakers, you can still hear your machine, and everything else going on around you... Additionally, the speakers, properly placed, reduce wind-noise.
Highly recommend this set-up for anyone who wants a continuous sound-track doing what they love best (well, maybe second-best
).
As you may be able to see in the attached pic, I velcro the iPod to my tank bag, allowing me to navigate across tracks. One thing I don't ever do, is look at the iPod screen. If the song that comes on is not to my liking, I simply reach up, advance to the next tune, and keep rolling...don't even have to look at the little music-maker...but practice and familiarity with this function is paramount.