Do you wear earplugs when riding?

[Image]

Some people are talking as though tinnitus will definately happen without earplugs but I've been biking every day for 37 years & it's not happened and I didn't see it happen to others when earplugs were unheard of for biking. Also modern helmets stop most noise anyway. Had ringing ears at concerts but never from riding a bike, it simply isn't noisy enough.

[BigVeeGrin]

Some people are talking as though tinnitus will definately happen without earplugs but I've been biking every day for 37 years & it's not happened and I didn't see it happen to others when earplugs were unheard of for biking. Also modern helmets stop most noise anyway. Had ringing ears at concerts but never from riding a bike, it simply isn't noisy enough.

that was my view until last year. Now it's started. Guess some are lucky with it, not a chance I would take though and I certainly don't want it to get worse

[VTRDark]

It's going to come down to how soundproof your helmet is and how well it fits. Also how loud your cans are. For me the wind is only a problem when leaving the visor open, but then at high speed I generally close it anyway. The only time I have had immense wind noise is in the Summer when all the RX7 GP vents are open.

Have Fun.

(:-})

[AMCQ46]

tried them once, never again. it's like wearing shades at night. you need ALL your senses working when you ride a bike, blanking one off is dangerous IMHO.

Rob,
I kind of agree that if you removed all noise it would be dangerous, When I am on long flights I use wax earplugs and they come close to removing all noise, i did try riding with them and they take away too much noise and i couldnt connect with the engine revs as normal..............I dont ever use them on the bike now.
But the foam earplugs just suppress the background noise, you can still hear the engine, the intercom and surrounding traffic, but it takes the overall noise level down below the threshold that would lead to hearing damage............and it actually allows you to concentrate better on the information that is getting through as it is not being mixed up with the wind roar.

Perhaps you need to try different type of ear plugs till you get the correct compromise

[Image]

My lid is pretty good soundproofing. If I wore ear plugs I'd be in a world of deafening silence. I wonder if some people who suffer noise have got helmets that don't fit correctly. They say it should feel a bit too tight when new and then your head shapes the inside to your head shape until it fits perfectly snug. Another guideline is that it should be pressing against your cheeks and if it isn't it's too big.
I'm 6ft tall yet I only take a size medium lid.

[BigVeeGrin]

I'll raise you, 6'2" & medium, Shoei.

[lloydie]

Same here 6'4" and a 58cm lid

[seb421]

I'm 6'3 with a small helmet lol

[marravtr]

i have two helmets, with the agv i dont use earplugs, with the caberg i defo need em, so much wind noise! recon its all down to how the lid fits

[lloydie]

i will be wearing ear plugs today on the way to the exhaust shop as ill have no cans fitted

[Snoogle]

i have two helmets, with the agv i dont use earplugs, with the caberg i defo need em, so much wind noise! recon its all down to how the lid fits

I also have 2 helmets. One I wear in my head, the other the misses looks after

[Image]

I have 4 helmets, an Arai Quantum, an AGV Dzign, a Shoei Raid 2, and a cheapo FM lid. The AVG is the best for sound-proofing by far. The others have their benefits though.

[SPIV]

Earplugs .. yes ! I like to hear the engine .. not the exhaust ! Cuts out wind noise & the high & low frequency noise . Short trips ..ok no plugs .. spins out .. always use them !

[Furrybiker]

If you dont already know which plugs suit you best then these people will send you a selection pack of 20 types for a tenner including postage. People I have spoken to say they are very helpful but I haven't used them yet.

http://www.earplugsbypost.com/

[paddyc]

i didnt wear ear plugs until i bought a suzuki tl1000 with a two into one which was louder than a harley but i had to buy custom made ones they are great to wear