I wear plugs almost always -- certainly on any ride over 10 minutes. I have custom-made plugs (from audiologist) that are fairly quick to insert, and never get dislodged putting helmet on/off, but the foam plugs are better at blocking wind noise. So, I use the foam on the longer trips.

I have absolutely no problem hearing anything I need to hear. It is difficult to hear your riding friend talking to you at a red light -- you know he's talking, just not what's being said. A radio (CB/FRS/etc) is better for that.

I HIGHLY recommend using ear plugs. In fact, I wish I could get a quieter ride than I have -- for some reason, there is always a lot more noise in my left ear, even with plugs. It is the single biggest factor in preventing me from riding more and enjoying it more.

Craig

 

It helps to put quotes around the words, such as...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe ... r+plugs%22


I use ear plugs all of the time, and I drive in a city environment. Sure it cuts down on some of the sounds, but the question is, do you need ALL of those sounds? I don't think it inhibits me one bit, and I use 28dB ear plugs. The point of ear plugs is to save your hearing. If you think that they inhibit you, then how much will you be inhibited when you have high-frequency hearing loss and can't hear the cars even without the ear plugs??

My preference for ear plugs are ones on a string, they are harder to lose and far more convenient when you are gearing up. I'll use foam ear plugs for extended rides, but I mostly use the push in kind. No having to roll it up, read over your head and pull on ear, or waiting for the foam to expand to see if you got a good fit.

http://www.aearo.com/aosafety.com/shoot ... ear_05.htm

And don't get discouraged about the fit, I've gone through a dozen different types before I found the pair that I've been using for a year now (yes they do get washed!)

 

You'll be surprised how much you can hear with earplugs.
I spend my days in a dumptruck, & I've been wearing earplugs
for over 19 years. The best that I have found for me are
the HEARO's yellow soft vinyl with 3 'mushroom' ridges.
The foam type are OK for short periods of time, but for extended
periods of time, they tend to bother me. Other drivers that I work
with like the foam...they don't seem to get the ear irritation I do.
Just a difference in ear canals, I guess.

My earplugs are like the ones shown in the above posting, except
mine don't have the connecting cord.

 

Earplugs are a motorcycle rider's best friend...


And let me tell you, once you use them, you will never leave without them...

Pro's -

You can hear EVERYTHING that you need to hear... Really... Traffic, horns, tires squeeling, people talking (though not really clearly...)

You don't spend your whole ride listening for little engine noises that you "don't think" you heard before, or that "may be" something wrong... You can feel the hum, and you will still be able to tell if something goes wrong... They are the ULTIMATE stress reliever... My father couldn't go on a ride without being engrossed into rattles and squeeks... it has improved his riding enjoyment 150%...

Stamina. Stamina. Stamina. For some reason, earplugs increase your stamina for riding exponentially... Why? I have no idea... But it does. You can ride A LOT longer when wearing plugs... Ask anyone who wears them.

They are cheap!!! You can buy a box of foamies on Ebay for around 20 bucks... they'll last you a couple years!!!

Cons

Once in a RARE while, you'll knock one out while putting your helmet on... a VERY minor annoyance.

You can't hear your buddy talking to you at the redlights... unless they scream...

Something else to remember to put in before you put your helmet on. You have to make a little song of it... (*Earplugs* *Helmet* *Gloves* la la la*)






I think that's about it... Earplugs are one of the most bang for the buck MODS you can get for ANY motorcycle.

I guarantee it!

Randi

 

Wow, This is only my second post and I'm learning alot. I still havn't received my bike because the weather here was pretty bad and we opted for delivery tomorrow.
Nevertheless I'm enjoying this forum and the people I'm getting to know. I''m starting to have fun and I havn't even ridden the Burgy yet!

Next purchase, a set of ear plugs! Once again, thanks for all your advice (I'll probably be asking for more soon) and thank you for making me feel so welcome.

Louie............

 

I wear them all of the time. At first, I was wearing the Foamie 33Db plugs, but after awhile, they would become uncomfortable, and I would still pick up wind noise. I found a set that Walley World (Walmart) sells, for $11.47, in the Sporting Goods Department. They come in a box, with two plastic compound containers. Once you mix the two compounds together, it sets firm in 10 minutes.

They're Do-It-Yourself Molded Ear Plugs, that you can shape to your ears. EXCELLENT, IMHO! You basically mix the two compounds together (White and Blue), roll them into two separate balls until they're entirely Blue, then pop one in each ear, and mold it into and around your ear canal. It's best to do one at a time! They're like the ones that the audiologists sell, but much cheaper. It covers the inside and part of the outside of your ears, to reduce noise and wind while you're riding. Since they're molded to your ears, they'll pop out and in every time. I've never lost one putting my helmet on, or taking it off. They fit flush with your inner ear, and are not constantly being impacted by your helmet. They're so soft and comfortable, that I sometimes forget to take them out when I remove my helmet. Until someone starts talking to me, I forget that I have them in! They're rated at 26Db or 28Db, I forget which, but they certainly do the trick for me.

They look similar to these, but they're Blue:

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/popup_im ... 5428&aID=4

No matter what kind you buy, it's "HIGHLY ADVISABLE" to wear them on every ride. Take it from a 52 year old guy, that wears a Hearing Aid in both ears! :shock:

Best of Luck!

Cheers!

BB

 

Thanks for the tip on the DIY molded earplugs, I will definitely check them out.

 

I wear them all of the time. At first, I was wearing the Foamie 33Db plugs, but after awhile, they would become uncomfortable, and I would still pick up wind noise. I found a set that Walley World (Walmart) sells, for $11.47, in the Sporting Goods Department. They come in a box, with two plastic compound containers. Once you mix the two compounds together, it sets firm in 10 minutes.

They're Do-It-Yourself Molded Ear Plugs, that you can shape to your ears. EXCELLENT, IMHO! You basically mix the two compounds together (White and Blue), roll them into two separate balls until they're entirely Blue, then pop one in each ear, and mold it into and around your ear canal. It's best to do one at a time! They're like the ones that the audiologists sell, but much cheaper. It covers the inside and part of the outside of your ears, to reduce noise and wind while you're riding. Since they're molded to your ears, they'll pop out and in every time. I've never lost one putting my helmet on, or taking it off. They fit flush with your inner ear, and are not constantly being impacted by your helmet. They're so soft and comfortable, that I sometimes forget to take them out when I remove my helmet. Until someone starts talking to me, I forget that I have them in! They're rated at 26Db or 28Db, I forget which, but they certainly do the trick for me.

They look similar to these, but they're Blue:

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/popup_im ... 5428&aID=4

No matter what kind you buy, it's "HIGHLY ADVISABLE" to wear them on every ride. Take it from a 52 year old guy, that wears a Hearing Aid in both ears! :shock:

Best of Luck!

Cheers!

BB

They are great... But, I lose my plugs a LOT... That's why I always carry about 5 pairs of the foamies at a time!

Randi

 

The last time I wore ear plugs was 25 years ago when I worked in a factory around loud machines.

I do not wear plugs because the just bother me too much. Besides, wearing a helmet works pretty well for me to reduce noise.

 

The last time I wore ear plugs was 25 years ago when I worked in a factory around loud machines.

I do not wear plugs because the just bother me too much. Besides, wearing a helmet works pretty well for me to reduce noise.

What bother's you about them?

 

They are great... But, I lose my plugs a LOT... That's why I always carry about 5 pairs of the foamies at a time!

Randi

My preference for ear plugs are ones on a string, they are harder to lose and

...before I found the pair that I've been using for a year now (yes they do get washed!)

The string is what has enabled me to use my favorite pair of ear plugs for the last year.

 

What bother's you about them?

1- I just don't like stuff in my ear, (or my eyes, contacts, lasik surgery, etc)
2- Just another thing or widget to keep track of and lose
3- Slows down the time it takes to get ready

Me and my wife are used to traveling light, even for a week at a time (less is more philosophy).
Ear plugs for us are just not a priority, and one less thing to "put on the pile"

 

I lose my plugs a LOT... That's why I always carry about 5 pairs of the foamies at a time!

I bought one of those Double-Ended Pill Boxes at Walley World, that have the "AM/PM" on it. The plugs fit perfectly into each end, and I don't have to worry about misplacing them, since I always keep them in my Right Front Cubby Hole on my 400.

Like you, I keep an extra set of Foamies in there too, just in case! :wink:

Cheers!

BB

 

I use these ones (pictured). I wear them all the time I'm on any bike, whether it's 'just' around town, or on longer journeys. Even at speeds as low as 40mph, the wind noise is killing your hearing.
I used to think only puffs wore earplugs, when I was young (and stupid). Not so. I've now got tinitis from riding sports bikes without plugs. It's so bad sometimes at night that it brings tears to my eyes. I've got this for life now.

My missus wears made to measure ones.

A helmet on its own is not enough to cut the wind noise.

 

Having lost more than half my hearing I can tell you to WEAR EAR PLUGS. I now wear hearing aids in both ears that clip the sound off at high levels. Other times, I just take them out and enjoy the peace and quiet. :lol:
Pick whatever is comfortable and wear them.

 

I'm going to Walmart tomorrow to check out the plugs. The wind here in Texas is really strong at times. Like today, I was breaking in my Burgie at about 45mph and still was getting pushed around. That's not to mention the buffeting in my helmet............

 

The wind here in Texas is really strong at times.

Louie!

Where in Texas are you located?

Thanks!

Cheers!

BB

 

I used to think only puffs wore earplugs, when I was young (and stupid). Not so. I've now got tinitis from riding sports bikes without plugs. It's so bad sometimes at night that it brings tears to my eyes. I've got this for life now.

Dang! that is terrible. I've have tinitis all my life but it never brought tears to my eyes. I just don't know what true silence is. Just the ringing in my head!

 

Dang! that is terrible. I've have tinitis all my life but it never brought tears to my eyes. I just don't know what true silence is. Just the ringing in my head!

heh heh.. the ringing in your ears is when there's silence!!

 

Blackbeard, I'm in Katy, about 25 miles west of Houston, are you near San Antonio? I'm new to Texas so I sometimes get my towns all mess up.

 

If you like the foam plugs a good place to get them is Harbor Freight. They'll sell you a big box of 200 pair for $20, much cheaper than going to the local stores. Here's the link:

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=ear+plug&Submit=Go

I've used them for the past 25 years and am still on the original box. If you're ambitious you can put them in a net bag, throw them in the washer and they come out as good as new.

 

Blackbeard, I'm in Katy, about 25 miles west of Houston, are you near San Antonio? I'm new to Texas so I sometimes get my towns all mess up.

Louie!

I'm in New Braunfels, about 30 miles NE of San Antonio. I'm about 150 miles from Katy. If you're ever out this way, give me a holler, and we'll schedule a ride in the area!

Cheers!

BB

 

Blackbeard,

Thanks for the hint on where to pickup the do-it-yourself plugs. I'm going to pickup one of these kits to make some plugs for my son's laptop for when he goes to Iraq to keep the dust and dirt out of the USB, audio and other ports.

 

GREAT idea Bill! If anyone digs up any info on the web about the product, please post here. I'm interested in the dB rating, as I suspect it's not going to be very high. I'm fairly certain my ear canals are different shapes, it would be neat to compare the formed plugs after the fitting. And because I prefer strings, I could embed them in the material before it cures.

 

Blackbeard, I'll make a note of that, last year the group went to SA to a big scooter rally and they had a ton of fun. I want to see if I can make it this year.
In the meantime, if you are coming this way for any reason, please let me know, we'll get together also.