rslocum Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 Always ride with earplugs. Cuts down on wind noise and actually hear and feel the bike much better in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello dude Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 I cant stand to ride without earplugs for even a short ride. I am more focused with the lower noise level. +1 to the Hearos Ultimate Softness series foam earplugs. I've tried a lot of different brands and these seem best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 Hearos are awesome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHill Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 I rode for a long time without even thinking about earplugs....something about being young and stupid. With that being said, this is my take on it now: If you know you were going to crash, you would put on all your gear; so why not put in hearing protection if you know you are going to be exposed to damaging levels on wind noise. There is no reason not to wear some form of hearing protection, and a quiet helmet is not quiet enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revelstoker Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 You are still young, one day you will realize that us older guys were right. No shit. I have been riding for 30+ years. Many of those years without a helmet and pretty much all of them without plugs. Time is catching up and the hearing is slipping along with the eyes. It sucks, big time. I wonder back on how my ears would be now if I had taken better care of them while I was young. Same with the knees. I wear plugs now. Biggest issue is making sure to get them in correctly. If you are going to wear them, be sure to take some time and learn to properly insert them and try a few different types to see what works the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidersDiscount Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 Went out on track once without plugs, realized I forgot them and pulled in the same lap. They make a huge difference no matter what helmet you have and they're extremely cheap protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baptizo Posted June 8, 2013 Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 I still don't agree with the consensus with the ear plugs but I've clearly hit a nerve with a lot of you. I don't need them and I don't wear cheap helmets. To each his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medina Posted June 8, 2013 Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 helmets: you know where that hardware is on the sides, that your shield attaches too?I have, in the past, loosened those screws and played with them to tighten the tolerance between helmet and shield. I had a Bell (the OP) and the wind noise was horrid. Wanted a new helmet, but thought I'd paint it first (helmet fit well, wasn't banged up, thought if I painted it, I could live with it a bit longer) Part of the masking process I unscrewed that hardware- after painting, put it all back together and the gap was BIGGER..wtf...Taking a look I loosened them, forced them rearward and tightened. One side too tight-sheild wouldn't close all the way..wtf again.. messed around and got that plastic shield very tight against the foam lip/seal.....way quieter- Your mileage may vary: worked for me, might be a worthwhile lookin the last year I noticed my shoei has gotten louder- the top vents dont seem to be closing. going to see if I can tweak those. anyhow just my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSparky Posted June 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 go figure, right after i fall in love with them, my dogs eat one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hailwood Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 Just swing by someplace like Gander Mt. (or even Walmart) that sells shooting supplies and pick up a jar of them for a couple of bucks. I keep one in the garage so I can grab fresh plugs whenever I need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 Just zipped home on the scooter, wind noise isn't that bad with just sunglasses if you can't go over 50... I also think the aeros play a role, my bike seems to direct way more air past my head even at lower speeds than the scooter. Maybe with a full wind screen, earplugs wouldn't be necessary at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 (edited) Hearing loss in motorcyclists: occupational and medicolegal aspects (NIM.GOV article)Noise on a motorcycle that can cause hearing loss comes from a variety of sources on and around the motorcycle.Some of these frequencies can hardly be heard normally, but still cause permanent hearing loss at other frequencies. All groups have used essentially similar techniques: a miniature microphone is placed at the rider's ear under the helmet and sound levels are measured in various riding conditions. All these studies show excessive wind noise around the helmet—about 90 dB(A) at 60 km/h and increasing linearly when plotted against the log of speed, to reach 110 dB(A) at 160 km/h. In addition our group has measured the sound attenuation characteristics of various motorcycle helmets—a matter that had previously received only limited attention. Modern helmets, we found, offered very poor low-frequency sound attenuation and we also demonstrated a phenomenon of resonance at 250 Hz. The source proved to be a turbulent boundary layer, vibrating against the outside of the helmet shell, with its maximum sound energy focused between 250 and 500 Hz. High speed on a motorcycle can generate enough noise to cause hearing loss,Similar results are seen in noise environments industry wide.Common results of excess noise (particularly above 110db at any frequency): loss of audible signalsfatigueheadachedisequilibriumincreased risk of accidentshearing loss Our feeling was that earplugs were and are still the only realistic option, particularly in the absence of commercially available sound-proof helmets. Edited June 9, 2013 by ReconRat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zherman330 Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 This stuff is the real deal. Went out on my first longer ride today with a couple of OR members. My ears are ringing like crazy. Time for plugs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Due to poor choices as a youngster, it's too late for me. Wear then while you can still hear!This message has been brought to you by Remington, Bush Light, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zherman330 Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Not to thread jack the OP, but do you guys have any recommendations for good ear plugs I can mold myself that arent the pewpy orange foam ones... they dont work well for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporttour Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Earplugstore.com I is a goor source. You can get variety packs of different soft plugs inexpensively. Find the type that works best for you. They sell all types of ear plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bliz Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 I've had Arai, and Shoei helmets and have come to the conclusion there is no such thing as a quiet full face helmet. I've ridden with ear plugs for over 20 years and ear plugs will cut the noise on any helmet. It's not just the helmet but other factors that contribute also to wind noise. Windshield shape, head winds. For me it's a lot more enjoyable ride wearing ear plugs. If you're looking for a quiet helmet the Bell RS1 that I have now is the quietest full face helmet I've owned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Loud pipes save lives. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie14 Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Loud pipes save lives.HA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSparky Posted June 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 "Loud pipes, for the hell of it." was a patch I saw yesterday....My dad had me try some ear plugs he got t a plant. I had been using the little foam half circle on a stick. Aka, not a lot of attenuation, but definitely formed a seal, which did its job. Anywho, skull screws. Sounds like a dick filled porno, but man. Squeeze those suckers in and say goodbye to the world. The other plugs would soften things. These, I can hear the ocean! In a parking lot full of whiny kids! Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhsv Posted June 17, 2013 Report Share Posted June 17, 2013 I think I rode my bike for 2 weeks before I said screw it and started wearing ear plugs all the time. My first lid was an Icon Domain 2 it was a little heavy but fit very good. I replaced that with a $700 Bell RSD its a whole lot lighter but considerably louder. I wear ear plugs all day at work so putting them in and out is second nature to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted June 17, 2013 Report Share Posted June 17, 2013 I just get them at work, but most of the time I just wear my ear buds and listen to my tunes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohiomike Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Hearing loss in motorcyclists: occupational and medicolegal aspects (NIM.GOV article)Noise on a motorcycle that can cause hearing loss comes from a variety of sources on and around the motorcycle.Some of these frequencies can hardly be heard normally, but still cause permanent hearing loss at other frequencies. High speed on a motorcycle can generate enough noise to cause hearing loss,Similar results are seen in noise environments industry wide.Common results of excess noise (particularly above 110db at any frequency): loss of audible signalsfatigueheadachedisequilibriumincreased risk of accidentshearing lossAbsolutely. And as far as I know hearing loss is gone forever, it doesn't heal and get better. I use those cheapo construction earplugs (foam kind) when on long trips. Its amazing how much better you feel after 8 hrs riding with ear plugs compared to without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggyp Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I tried ear plugs for the first time today...... WOW!!!! So much nicer!! I don't know why it took so long to try it out. I was actually looking into a new lid until now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitani Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I hate the ringing in my ears, but the one time I wore plugs on the way down to KY I got EXTREMELY sleepy because of the quiet. Or maybe I didn't get enough sleep. But I wasn't tired once I took them out in KY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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