earplugs

[jhoneyball]

how many of you wear earplugs when riding?

i hate things that go in my ear canal (fontopid headphones etc), but found a kit on amazon which lets you mould a plug which fits in your outer ear. Very easy to do, excellent noise reduction.

[rmuss]

I always wear them after riding for 1 day and my hearing was really muffled without. I have done the odd town trip without if I know i wont be going that fast. It's not even always the noise of the bike, it's the wind! With my Arai lid, it's crazy loud.

[hostyle]

I always go out with ear plugs. My Arai is noisy. Wind noise above 80/90 km/h doesn't feel right for my ears, and it smarts a bit

[Nigel Worc's]

I've never worn ear plugs, it wasn't really done when I started riding in the 70's, and I've never gotten into the habit.

[Greg964]

I wear them if i'm going out for over an hour. But without them I find the sudden increase in wind noise at 90ish reminds me to take it easy.

[spareparts]

On the Duke - always. 102db Termis vs wanting to hear = earplugs are a must.

On my scooter on the daily commute: most of the time, although I wear my headphones which have Comply memory foam tips that act as noise isolating earplugs. Allows me to listen to music/satnav/at the same time.

I read somewhere that exposure to windnoise over 85db for more than 5 minutes can permanently damage your hearing.

[SVS]

hostyle said:

I always go out with ear plugs.

+1. I thought everyone did these days. At least I thought so, until I read Nigel's reply, but he probably can't hear what I'm saying

[sjg]

I don't bother for nipping around town but do for any time I'm likely to go over 40mph. I like the Howard Leight Laser Lite ones - very comfortable and quiet without completely taking away your hearing. I buy in bulk on ebay so normally under 15p a pair and keep spares in every jacket pocket, tailpack, under the seat, etc and just top up from my desk drawer. Good for sleeping in noisy hotels and festivals too.

Lots of the earplug suppliers do sampler packs so you can try various ones out and see what suits.

[tight5]

always wear them , used them for years now .
got a box of 200 pairs .
not using them doesn't feel right now .

[Nigel Worc's]

SVS said:

hostyle said:

I always go out with ear plugs.

+1. I thought everyone did these days. At least I thought so, until I read Nigel's reply, but he probably can't hear what I'm saying

Say what ?

You bunch of pussies, what's happened to bikers these days ?

Who said that ? lol

[The Moose]

jhoneyball said:

how many of you wear earplugs when riding?

i hate things that go in my ear canal (fontopid headphones etc), but found a kit on amazon which lets you mould a plug which fits in your outer ear. Very easy to do, excellent noise reduction.

What's the link?

[moanthebairns]

anyone get custom made earplugs that have earphones inside them?

are they good?

how much do they cost?

[davel*]

I use Hugh Plugz which seem to be very comfortable and block out a lot of wind noise.

As above if I'm just nipping round town I generally won't bother but any further than that I'll pop them in.

[smack]

Always used them.

[jhoneyball]

these are the ones i got

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Custom-Fit-DIY-Motorcycle-...

[Prof Prolapse]

I have a bag of halfords earplugs. Cost me about a fiver for 50 pairs or something. I use them for when it's noisey but not for pootling into the city.

moanthebairns said:

anyone get custom made earplugs that have earphones inside them?

are they good?

how much do they cost?

At the MCN bike show they were about £85 with earphones, £75 without. The phones compromise protection by about 10dB but are still fine. They're a nice quality product. I'm sure those who've bought them are keen to defend their purchase.

IIRC, disposables are just as safe (they have to be by law) but disposables can sometimes fit poorly compromising protection.

I go for the bags of disposables, never had a problem with them and I'm always losing things.

[Hooli]

tight5 said:

always wear them , used them for years now .
got a box of 200 pairs .
not using them doesn't feel right now .

Much the same for me.

[kwakus]

moanthebairns said:

anyone get custom made earplugs that have earphones inside them?

are they good?

how much do they cost?

One of the lads I go biking with has them, he says they took some getting used to but wears them all the time, no point in trying to talk to him with them in though.

I just use disposable as I get them from work.

[bennyboysvuk]

I didn't use them for years and years when I used AGVs, Arais and a Roof. Then I bought a Shoei XR1100 and that was it, earplugs are now an absolute must.

I use el-cheapo foam plugs like these, but they do a grand job.

[s2ooz]

tinitus for those that don't

those yellow blocks are ste. There are some 35db ones on the market that are fab, the key is to squeeze them flat, pull back your ear lobe and shove them right in, and hold while they expand. massive difference.