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What about earplugs?
I used an MX helmet and googles last time (without ear plugs) and now have tinnitus.
I know another guy who returned with two burst ear drums from the noise again after using an mx helmet. I'm using plugs (in my ears) and a flip top this time. Any thoughts? |
Does riding for such long periods really damage your ears? I hear of people who wear ear plugs even with a full face. I was going to have my mini disc on!!!
I ride with the volume set on 'AVS' which is supposed to stop the volume level before it reaches a point which damages your ears but, with increased noise that you don't really notice (like wind).. who knows? (My Dommie is quite quiet with it's original silencers) I think with your story I may think about not listening to it but then.. hmm.. boring motorways on my own.. I may fall asleep! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif Anyone else listen to personal stereos whilst riding or am I the only one? |
I am thinking about using me discman while riding on long highway stretches.
I can hook it up to the 12V sockets and I would buy something like a remote control thing that I can put on my steer (the unit that is placed inbetween the discman and the earplugs). I just have to buy the right earplugs. I have seen some good ones but lost the link. Anyone any idea's? |
I've used a stereo plugged into my intercom, and quickly gave up on it. In order to have decent sound the volume had to be painfully loud, a volume I wouldn't consider off the bike. And yes you certainly can damage your hearing at that level!
If you really want to listen to music, do use molded earplugs with speakers built in. They are available from hearing specialty places. There's a guy in the US for instance that goes to rallies and takes a mold of your ears and ships them later. Do a search on Google.com for "ear plug motorcycle custom mold" - interesting hits. I always use ear plugs now, and find it - after an initial adjustment period - to be much better, and less tiring after a days riding. Recommended. ------------------ Grant Johnson Share the Dream! at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com |
Hai,
When I got my new schubert (a few month's ago) the first thing I did was cutting open the interior to put in a high quality headphone (JVC) and a jack-plug. I was a bit scared to ruine the thing, but... luckily it's perfect... so I wont fall asleep. I can not imaging ear-damage with a good helmet and a normal exhaust... but.. I am no expert... just a music-lover http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif Maarten |
Thanks for the advice.
Looking at one of the other threads reminded me of another factor: I was riding an xr65ol with a screen to make it easier on my neck. The screen creates a lot of wind noise. As said in the 'Quiet Flip-up helmet recommendations' thread raising your head can make it a lot quieter. However, on the general subject of noise, I remember being advised to always wear plugs (but never have) because a low level for a long time is just as damaging in the long term as a high level for a short time. Then again there's always the quiet exhaust versus louder for the added saftey benefits. |
One thing came to my mind... When you wear earplugs you hear less... also things you should hear like sirens, claxons, things like that.
I do know from experiance that riding around town with the stereo on feels less safe... I think you catch a lot of surroundings-noise and turn it into a mental picture of what's behind and besides you. Maarten |
This is the link where I saw earplugs that look Ok to me.
http://www.earplugco.com/ I have to admit that Maarten might be right. If you can't hear what's around you you won't know it eather. But as far as anything with a sirene goes (speaking out of experience as a fireman / EMT) you should keep a close eye on you mirrors all the time. By the time you can hear them through your helmet (when riding?) they are already too close and have probably been standing on the brake quite a bit. Make a habit of checking your mirrors every so many seconds and not only when you are doing a maneuvre. (off course this is talking about daily trafic, forget when youre riding in the Todra Gorge.... unless you friend following you off course. ;-) |
I've worn ear-plugs for years now. I've noticed that they were essential for the bike I have with a screen, but optional for the bike without one. You can still hear things like sirens, horns, etc. Human voices are hard to pick-up though. It's funny, but you can hear the engine noise much better with plugs in as all the background noise is reduced. I've found it much easier to ride distances with plugs in.
Also, some block out more sound than others, so take your pick. I'd reccommend waering plugs for any journey that's more than 20 minutes. The problem with Tinnitus is that it creeps up on you, and you don't notice your hearing has gone until it's too late. ------------------ Fuzzy Duck (I'm quackers about bikes) |
I use foam plugs combined with an Autocom intercom system in a BMW System 4 helmet. It works fine up to about 120km/h. I cut off about 1/5th of the plug, otherwise it gets painful(d.t. the closeness of the phones).
I can hook up a radio or a cd player on this system. The sound is excellent and actually better with the ear plugs in (removes some of the exaggerated treble). But, if you're travelling solo, the Autocom is a very expensive investment just for hearing music... I would never go on a longer journey without my plugs, though. ------------------ Dag http://RocinantesTravels.com |
I would suggest wearing ear plugs. I've got some hearing loss and a ringing in my ears, not all from riding, but a lot. I found that I can not wear the cheap foam plugs, they do cut out too much noise for me. Plus they make a wierd thumping sound at highway speeds.
I found out that I like a hunting pair of plus that have a plastic shell to them so they can be cleaned. They are only rated to 27 DB instead of 30Db but they work really well. I can still hear everything, but it cuts down on the wind noise etc. They were expensive though 8-9USD per pair. I've got two now. I also listen to music and found that it is mostly loud enough with plugs in to listen. The books on tape though were not loud enough, I guess I need some sort of booster. |
I think I'll try this combination of ear plugs and headphones. Cheers for the advice!
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No matter what type or brand of helmet you are wearing, or exhaust you're running, wind noise alone at highway speeds is enough to cause hearing damage. I wear a flip-front helmet, and never ride without ear plugs. Right now I just use the foamy type you can get for pennies at Home Depot or similar, but will soon be going to an audiologist for custom plugs made. You can get plugs that even have removeable filter elements for different noise levels, requency levels, etc. so, you could conveivably have plugs which cut down on wind and engine noise to safe levels, yet still allow for good speach, siren, horn sounds etc. I'm a music lover too, but the added volume to listen to music in addition to the wind is just too much, i'd be even more deaf than I already am. Just sit back with your thoughts and enjoy the scenery eh! rider intercoms are still a concern, but since this is only an intermittent noise increase the risk is minimized. Visit an audiologist or a professional musicians store near you, both should be able to hook you up with quality, comfortable ear plugs. Save your hearing, and ride safe! Brian |
Cheers Brian..
A mate here in the UK has found a place that does the moulded ear plugs here. I shall find out more but they look good. I have decided about the music.. I think I'm going to save it for when I get off my bike. My hearing is bad enough as it is! http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/ Cheers - Spud |
I ride a touring bike (ST1100) with a windshield, but absolutely need earplugs, whether I am wearing my full face helmet or an open face helmet. Perhaps this is because the helmets are the newer ventilated Arai models, which are very noisy. I won't even ride to the local milk store without earplugs, because I find the wind noise annoying.
I use the disposable models made by AEARO Corporation under the brand name EAR. I buy them in boxes of 200 sets for about USD 12 a box. You can also buy them at Home Depot and other such locations for about USD 0.25 per set. I prefer the disposables because the fit well and attenuate sound well, and I don't have to worry about them getting dirty. I find I can re-use a set twice before they no longer conform well to the shape of my inner ear. I have no problems at all hearing sirens, horns, or even conversation. They attenuate sound, they don't block it entirely. My guess is the decrease in transmission of the sound of a siren or a horn (emergency vehicle) would be no greater than what an automobile driver encounters in a car that has the radio and ventilation fan on. [This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 15 March 2002).] |
I had a scare last summer - rode all day in an Arai, got home & it was like I'd been to a rock concert - at night it was deafening. The following day though it wasn't any better! Took about a month to return back to what I now call normal... the scary thing is it could be just me getting used to it.
Always use foam earplugs now, & the Arai stays on the shelf for long journeys. Use my Shoei instead. Good luck.... Tim |
I find that with an Arai MX helmet and goggles that the wind/engine noise is fatiguing if i don't wear Earplugs.I sometimes forget them, so I put a small container o the Keyfob to remind me to fit them
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I have had the westone # 4 RT for two years.They are small and work great. go to
www.earmold.com click - earmold info click - navigation (near top of page left) click - hearing proction and recreation click - no 4 RT |
Tim:
I know what you mean about the Arai's and wind noise. I have two Arai's - I like them because they are lightweight and well ventilated - but earplugs are an absolute must, even for a 5 km trip to the milk store down the road. I think there is a very clear tradeoff between a helmet that is light and well ventilated, and a helmet that is quiet. Sort of like this: "lightweight, well ventilated, quiet - choose any two of the preceding three". |
Since I always listen to good advice.... I got myself some earplugs. Very handy when the son of my neighbors gave a party last week http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
Maarten |
Has somebody tried this already:
using the classic foam earplugs and having speaker build in to your helmet. Can you listen to music like this without having to put the volume way to high? If Paneuropean is right that the foam earplugs only 'filter' the sound I guess it should be possible. Looks like the ideal solution to me. The earplugs with build in speakers are expensive and I don't find them handy. Other question: if I build in speakers into my helmet what should I know about the speakers? |
fireboomer, fwiw - Personally I don't recommend this - the sound has to be seriously loud to hear it, and the distortion and sound quality is then so bad, I don't want to listen to it. Unless you have an expensive stereo and high quality speakers... oh, right, the problem with the ear plugs was the price. hmmm.... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif
Good ear plugs are worth it -I'll never go back to foamies. Just takes getting used to. ymmv ------------------ Grant Johnson One world, Two wheels. www.HorizonsUnlimited.com |
The earplugs I prefer are these ones: E·A·R®Classic®. The best way to buy them for motorcycle touring is to get the uncorded plugs in individual poly bags, their product code # 312-1201. A box of 200 sets is CAD 25.-, and that will keep you going for at least a season (figure two uses - meaning two insertions - for each set before you toss it). The reasons I like the Classics in the poly bags are:
1) they fit me comfortably and don't irritate. 2) individual poly bags take up the least space - a box of 200 is smaller than 6 cans of beer. 3) the individual poly bags keep the earplugs clean when packed in saddle bags, etc. - no worry about dirt and so forth. http://pics.tdiclub.com/members/PanE...nda/pack01.gif You can buy these things anywhere on the planet. Go to Aearo's website to find an automated applet that will locate a vendor in your country. [This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 02 April 2002).] |
Hi all,
My experience is that the foam-type earplugs that expand in your ear, start to irritate when you use them for longer periods. They also put pressure on your ballance-organs wich are also located in your ears! I stopped using them for that reason and you also have to bring a whole load of them on your trip since it's not very hiegienic to re-use them. The type of plugs that are molded to the shape of YOUR ears (otoplastics) don't put pressure on your ears, you can clean them so you need only one pair, and they come with different 'filters'. These filters let sounds through of certain frequencies (such as the freq. of human speech) yet they stop the freq. that damages your hearing (like the freq. of windnoise). This makes it possible to have a normal conversation with someone with your plugs in and hear that siren comming. Remember that hearing damage is is a one-way thing, damaged eardrums and hairs don't grow back!! And you don't notice it until it's too late.. Otoplastics are expensive indeed but so is your helmet, boots, gloves, ect and they all protect things that are more likely to be 'fixed' in hospital or grow back.. Ride save, Jeroen (who allready has 30% hearingloss because of riding bikes for 14 years) |
agree with Jeroen, also made the natural progress from foam to the ones made to fit (molded?) to my inner ear. Always got the foam plugs on me as a backup, coz once you got them its hard to ride without any hear protection. its soooo loud!
Must say they cost a bit but worthwhile in the end, they are a lot more durable... and can still hear things when im 80 see http://www.earmo.com/ |
Hey Jeroen,
Where can I buy these earplugs that 'filter' the sound and not simply block all of it? They really interest me a lot! I am from Belgium and wouldn't mind making the trip to Holland to get them. If you can understand somebody who is speaking while wearing them I gues you could also listen to music from build in speakers. Looks like the ideal solution too me. Pieter. |
Hmm,
Just had my ears syringed but have to go back for more next week (and put more oil in my ears until then). I suggested old engine oil (of which I have a lot) but was advised to use olive oil instead. The syringing was a bit wierd, interesting, but ok. Once they're done I'll get the molds created and the plugs made by Spud's recommendation: http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/ Thanks, Spud |
the guy who moulded my plugs for me - Ian from Eryri Audiological Research, very good - says that different grades of foam can be used according to which frequencies you want to filter out. Bikers plugs are generally designed to let you hear sirens and car horns whilst filtering out the harmful frequencies - generated by wind noise - which even a good full face helmet will often AMPLIFY. If you really want ear plugs which cut out all sounds - perhaps for sleeping in noisy environments - you just specify a different type of foam.
Having already damaged my hearing I now wear plugs all the time, even in town. I'm thinking of getting some with built in speakers for travelling. Oh, and if anyone wants a quiet Arai I can strongly recommend the new Astro. Lots quieter than the RX7. |
Hearing protection is important, but so is music! I suggest using both speaker mounted sound systems and ear bud headphones, just not at the same time. When riding with other people and using a bike to bike communicator, it is fast and easy to take your helmet off and on if it has a system built in. Then you don't get tanlged up in cords or have to put things into your ears every time you stop. When you don't need to talk to anyone, try using a set of SONY ear plugs/headphones. They come with three different sizes of soft plastic plugs, and the headphones fit through the middle of the plugs. They play great music, and cost about $45 USD. You can get them at a good stereo store, and dont take any space on the road. Beware of any "EAR BUDS" that just fit into the outside of your ears, because they get uncomfortable and usually fall out when you are trying to get your helmet off and on. These SONY headphones fit into the narrow part of your ear canal, blocking out noise and producing great sound. I don't have the model info, but I can get it if anyone needs help finding them. They are the only thing that I have found to block noise and to keep me happy with my favorite tunes! Happy travels.
Check the link for sony headphones a few messages down from kurt206. These are the ones. GOOD STUFF!!! [This message has been edited by chuck (edited 12 February 2003).] |
I read in BMW MOA a while back that a typical bike at highway speeds will cause the rider to experience sound levels that OSHA believes would begin to damage hearing after 8 hours, so earplugs would be a must for anyone doing any extended riding.
Koss makes some ear bud speakers which can be fitted with earplugs by modifying standard plugs to fit their 'speakers'. You can listen to music at fairly low sound levels then and block out the 'noise'. However, if this is safe, I couldn't say. Kurt |
Hi
I've just picked up some custom moulded ear plugs from my local hearing aid shop. There was one visit to have the impressions taken and they arrived one week later. Total cost £50. The plugs are made of clear silicon and have a small filter fitted that allows some sounds to pass through. They are definately far more comfortable and secure than the foam type and the attenuation seems about right, not too much sensory deprivation! ------------------ Sean |
That sold me - I listen to my minidisc in town, but have to stop and remove the ear buds on the motorway because I cant hear the music over the noise (plus they start to hurt after a while). So I've just ordered some sony headphones - watch this space.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...153233-4478051 Kurt |
Here's a site for inexpensive, dispoable and reusable earplugs.
http://216.120.94.37/cgi-bin/WebObje...key=disposable Peace, Ross |
Hymm, discman, music on or off? One day I put my discman on and put my helmet on. The razorblade music (punk hardcore - band Oxymoron - great for riding! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif) made my crazy, mad psyhokiller. I ridie with it for 2 kilometers. Forget about it, too many ways to lose control. I think the listening the music when You ride is a crazy madnes! I can't control too many things! If You want listen it just stop....
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I've been using foam ear plugs for years, I find it hard to ride without them now. But often see people how don't insert them properly, ie they are half in/half out.
This is quite interesting : http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/ruler.asp The 'motorcycle' on the bookmark is aimed at mechanics and is a motorcycle engine in a workshop environment. Riding a bike, and wind noise, is a lot louder, certainly louder than a chainsaw which is further up the scale. Cheers |
I followed the advice offered months ago on here and had a set of purpose made ear plugs made for me. (80 GBP)
Silicon with filters in - from a hearing aid shop - recommened by the people at ACS - see earlier links to www.hearingprotection.co.uk Now been riding with them for 3 months - GREAT! still hear enough to be very aware of what's around me but not worried about the volume in my headland. Would really strongly recommend them - once you get used to the 20 seconds to put put them in - you forget they are there. |
Tony, where did you get them?
I've just been looking at the hearingprotection web site and wondering what to do about it. I'll be coming to the UK in about a month and want to get something good before a year of riding. Thanks ------------------ http://www.robstravels.com |
Tried using the classic cylindrical plugs with the squared off ends years ago and hated them. Furthest I managed was 10 miles, very uncomfortable.
A couple of years ago I found a special offer from Lucy Dell (ltd?) who supplied a sample test kit of a range of plugs. There were 15 - 20 types, made of different materials and in different shapes. I tried them until I found one I liked and order 25 pairs for £7.50, still using them. Settled on a type that was valve shaped with a rounded & tapered end. I have Lucy Dell's number somewhere, will put it in a future posting ASAP - can fully recommend this method of finding a cheap earplug that suits you. Steve |
I have been using their ear plugs for four years and have tried just lots of diffent ways to have music and hearing protection. www,hearingprotection.co.uk have the best solution. I spoke to them today and they have a new model coming out that has better base response and better noise protection. You need to go to an appointed specialist to have a mold made of your ear. I love music when I travel and have found these are great. However the DAP 32db foam earplugs from the USA cost about 5p and are remarkable for comport and noise reduction, but without the music. Using an ipod gives you all your CD's in a tiny package.
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If you live in the uk there is Ultimate ear protection you will find them at most shows
mine cost £45, They can fit a filter in them to keep out the sound that damages your ear but you can hear your music,or for people with more money to spare they can fit speakers. www.ultimateear.com e-mail davidmarshal@ultimateear.com regards Gary |
Bump....
Has anyone who had moulds made up by the Ultimate ear guy at the ripley meet, been contacted by the company?? as I have not been contacted
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I have just had custom ear sleeves made for my earphones by Advanced Communication Solutions - What you do hear is just as important as what you don't they cost £88 including the moulds made by the ear doctor. Great fit and really comfortable for prolonged use. I will use them on the Continental Divide trip I'm doing in 2 weeks time, but it is really fiddly getting my helmet on and off over them.
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Hi,
I am using these ones for many years now: Hearing protection for Motorcycling Alpine Motosafe Motorcycle Earplugs Works fine together with my offroad-helmet! :thumbup1: |
There are quiite few places selling DIY moulded ear plugs these days, may give them a try.
Edit to add... just ordered some from 'Demon Tweeks' under £20 delivered |
When I was young and silly, I played my discman loud enough to hear the music over the wind noise now I join the older and regretting it group that have tinnitus.
Its not the exhaust (you are ahead of the noise), just the screen or just the helmet, it's the wind noise. Some screens cut noise, some helmets are quieter than others but add them all up and over time you have hearing damage and once it's gone, it's gone for good. I find the hard foam are very good at blocking sound but hurt if you wear them all day, day after day. Go the custom moulded ones for long term usage. |
Anyone tried those new silicone or wax malleable ones? I currently use earplugs designed for high noise industry as my eardrums are already damaged from a childhood illness but I'm always willing to experiment with new ones seeing that some chemists are now phasing out the foam ones.
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above 100 km an hour its gets bad, wind will be the biggest noise factor and from my personal experience i can advice people (even with headphones) to use earplugs as they will cancel out the low tones like wind and engine noise while the higher pitches like music and people talking will get true perfectly! Small annecdote, if i go to a club with really lound music, and i plug in some earplugs. I will be able to understaind what my friends are saying from a greater distance than without them. So no more shouting in the ears or saying "yea sure" when asking 3 times "say again" and still didnt understaind what they were saying.:clap: |
What did you say?
I always wear earplugs on any ride over 15 minutes. Initially, you cant hear anything, but then your ears get used to them and you can cars, sirens and horns. I've got bad tinnitus from riding and running chainsaws - noise is cumulative. There is no reversing or correcting, other than hearing aids. When it's quiet - to me it sounds like insects carrying on during a midwestern evening.
I've found the ear plug link below to fit my left ear and a different model to fit my right ear. Howard Leight | MAX Earplugs |
I am using custom made earplugs with 25dB filter.
I got mine done by hearing specialists in Finland. They took a cast? from my ear canal and few weeks later I got mine in a mail. Fits perfectly, can wear them 24h/day without any problem. Fantastic protection against noise, but can still hear easily when people are talking. Highly recommend. If you loose your hearing, you cannot get it back... |
I leave a trail of breadcrumbs around the world when I travel on a bike.. Those bread crumbs are green or yellow and are made of foam.
I've lost HUNDREDS...... I always pack about 50 pairs as they are sooo small and light and easily lost. That why I don't have £50 ones.... I've seen people with earplugs which are tied together. Like on your sunlglasses or when your mum would sew elastic to your gloves and put them through your coat sleeves so you wouldn't lose them.. ahhhh those college years :innocent: Corded ear plugs they're called. http://www.hearos.com/images/corded-ear-plugs.jpg Anyway.. A tall screen takes away nearly all of the wind blast which is the worst offender. Noisy exhausts don't help either. So, if you're travelling on an enduro bike with no screen and a noisy exhaust... BUY LOTS OF EARPLUGS OR YOU WILL GO DEAF... |
While browsing this thread my wife saw teds pic and wondered if / why I was looking at sex toys :eek:
Anyway I allways take a big bumper bag of cheap ones for the same reason as above.....they hide themselves away some how? But they do turn up later when I shake out the tent and sleeping bags. 100' s of them ! Great for sleeping in noisey places too. I have had the odd time when its been a bit of a task to remove them. Also the odd time when I have been ashamed of how dirty they have got on one use. I reckon wearing earplugs adds several hundred miles to a daily ride, by reduced fatigue. Frankly if you do more than 50mph on a bike I think its a must. For people who dont wear earplugs: FRANKLY IF YOU DO MORE THAN 50MPH ON A BIKE ITS A MUST. sent with tapatalk. |
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Rules of travel..... Improvise, improvise, improvise.... doh |
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Even without the hearing loss issue I'm an ear plug advocate because they give me both another 10mph on my cruising speed and a sense of wellbeing as I ride along because I can't hear the mechanical torture going on in the engine. It works particularly well on a small engined bike like a 125 where you have to hammer it to get anywhere. However I've had so much trouble (= takes so long) getting the foam plugs to seat properly in my ear canals that I've often wondered whether I'd save time overall by dumping the plugs and riding slower. Most of the time the things are one shot because they only compress and stay compressed long enough to fit when they're cold. Once they warm up with the heat from your fingers they rebound too quickly to fit easily - in my ears anyway. Whether the expensive custom fit ones have the same problem or not I've not ventured to find out but I'd be somewhat annoyed to find I'd spent the money and still had to spend 10 mins fitting them. |
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I bought a do it yourself custom earplug kit and combined it with a set of decent music earbuds. Works great. Blocks noise well and I can play music at low volume levels.
Also bought the best helmet I could afford - a Schuberth C3. The quiet helmet is well worth the investment! Roborider - 1150 GS Adventurer - Galax VA |
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I have a C3 and I still get hearing problems, some times made worse (!) by wearing earplugs. I really want to try and get some of the custom made plugs but I'm nowhere near a place that can do it. PS. The C3 doesn't do well in the sharp tests. |
I think that noise is a complex combination of bike, windshield, head size/shape, clothing, bike options that channel wind, earplugs and (for me) level of hearing loss. .. that it is almost impossible to do an apples to apples comparison on any one factor. I only know that I find the C3 comfortable and very quiet and that I often don't even wear my earplugs unless I'm planning to listen to music or TED talks while on my 2 hour airport slab commute.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk |
FYI just buy a custom earplugs kit and DIY. Mix the compound, press into your ears, let it set and you're done. Wash and dry your ears beforehand. Lol
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk |
Halfords sell large bags of them. Just a thought.
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Listening to music loudly will damage your hearing MORE than wind if loud and long enough exposure. Use Caution. If the drivers are right next to your ear drum ... you'll be deaf in no time. (trust me on this one ... I wear headphones for a living) Studies also show riders are calmer and more focused when riding with ear plugs. Also, at days end, you will be less fatigued if wearing hearing protection. Quiet and calm is good ... less stress, less fatigue, better riding. A UK study done on road racers showed with ear plugs, riders heart rate was down significantly. A good thing. As a sound pro, (movie sound guy) I've dealt with all kinds of hearing protection for the last 25 years ... including "custom" fit ones. I've never liked custom ones, they get gunked up with ear wax and when you lose them ... you've got to pay again. $$$ But as always ... IMHO and YMMV. :D For the last 7/8 years I've gone with the Howard Leight Laser Lite plugs. Like Ted, I carry about 10 pairs with me ... and usually replace a set after four or five days of use. If you can keep them clean ... and dry, (and not lose them) they last longer. Never wash them. Won't work. The Laser Lite's have 32db attenuation. Better than most custom plugs. Now up to about $28 per box of 200 pair. (In USA) CHEAP!! They are soft and comfortable, easy to insert ... but I see MOST riders don't put them in far enough. They must be rolled SMALL, licked, then inserted as far as possible, held in place while they fully expand. DONE! If wet, they can't be rolled up. Toss 'em. I would disagree with Ted about windshields. A shield is no guarantee of quiet air flow, in fact many shields produce MORE noise (by far) than no shield at all. Getting a shield tuned for quiet is a bit of a black art. I've chased this phantom for years on certain bikes. My DR650 uses no shield and is quieter than most bikes I've owned that have a shield. YMMV. An under-chin noise dam under your helmet can help reduce low frequency damage, but ear plugs are the best way. The Laser's for me are ALL DAY comfortable ... and a must if sleeping in strange, noisy places. Howard Leight | Laser Lite Earplugs http://www.northernsafety.com/Produc...r-Plugs-NRR-32 |
I think wind screens are a simple science. If its quieter when its on then its... Errrr , quieter.
Duck down to your tank and hear the difference. I test rise a lot of BMWs with big electric adjustable screens. You can literally turn noise on and off with the switch and it usually is with a couple of inches in height. Screens work... Bigger the better. Even if they look lame ;) |
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Try this test Ted ... ride normally at about 70 mph behind your screen of choice and gauge the noise level. Now stand UP ... getting above the screen. Result? For me, for most bikes with screens, standing is quieter than riding behind the screen. Try it out. Your body may be dry and protected but you can still have lots of noisy buffeting with a screen. Buffeting can make you deaf over time. (dangerous sub audible frequencies at work) Quote:
I've tested them too ... and every brand, not just BMW. The Kawi Concours 14 is a pretty good one. In my experience, most sport touring/ADV bikes with fixed screens have been noisy. Also, many aftermarket screens are no better. Of course different sized riders may get different results. Some big barn door screens can push you in the back, a kind of back pressure I guess? ... weird feeling. Pretty quiet but weird! :confused1: An old Guzzi SP1000 I rode years ago did this. The last Guzzi I rode, the Norge, was really noisy for me. The Griso was quiet, but very low. On my personal bikes I've had mixed results. Took a few tries to get a quiet shield on my DL1000. Finally hit it and it wasn't bad. GREAT in rain. BAD in heat. (less air flow) On my 1050 Tiger I tried four different screens, including one that was a UK product, multi-adjustable rig. Quite clever ... but never worked for me. Turns out that was true for about half the buyers on the UK Tiger owners forum ... most sold them off or sent them back. Also tried: Givi tall and short screen, Triumph tall touring screen, stock screen. Finally went with a very short sport screen which provided little protection but at least was quiet. Some riders hit the mark and got that Tiger quiet ... but it's tricky depending on rider size, shape and posture on the bike. You can read volumes of posts about screens and wind noise on forums for many bikes ... including BMW GS's, RT's and others. The Vstrom crowd (thousands of riders) went round on screens for 4 years and NEVER found one that worked for everyone. I considered myself lucky to find one that worked! :mchappy: |
Ear plugs are very handy to use, especially if you plan to hear accurately in the future. I have multiple sets of Big Ear ear plugs that reduce noise levels about 30 db. I say about, cause I have some plugs that go deeper into my ear canal or extend out a little bit further. I used to shoot trap and skeet a lot, run heavy equipment, chain saws and leave the windows down on my truck (my left ear is my worst). It is the wind noise that is accumulative. Sure wish I had started wearing better plugs years ago. For me, ear plugs are an essential part of my riding outfit and "All of the Gear, All of the time"
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Hearing damage is slow ... and IS cumulative over time. Most never notice until later in life. Some of us naturally lose hearing as we age ... but to protect what we've got ... Ear Plugs all the Time! (I can't ride without them!) |
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I bought a bag of 25 pairs from Halfords the other day as I already have hearing damage from too much time spent in night clubs and at concerts, they go under the GT Moto brand but when you open the pack they are actually manufactured by 3M and are excellent quality giving a noise reduction rating of 33 dB. However when I tried them on a relatively short trip I found myself too isolated for my own comfort and had to take them out again, hopefully I will get used to them on longer trips. Product details: EARSOFT FX UNCORDED |
I don't like how foam earplugs muffle all sounds, so I'm not very keen on using them, but I've stumbled on something far better : Nonoise earplugs, they filter wind noise, but you can hear all other sounds that are important while riding, like engine noise, siren, and you can have conversation with someone without removing them from you ears!
They have some sort of ceramic filter that filters most of those bad frequencies that cause hearing damage. And they come in a small metal container that you can use as keychain. |
I have been reading about to use or not to use. I use them all the time. A little tip if you do as well. Poking them in and out of your ear all the time. Can pick up dirt, that end's up in your ear. I use some Sudocream. It's a antiseptic cream they use on baby's. Easy to slip the plug in once you have creamed up the plug and ear. Combined with cotton bud's. To use after a shower. Clean's the wax out as well. As the cream softness the wax up. Had no problem use them this way. Save's ear infection.
Hope this help's John933 |
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