Which earplugs do you wear? I've been using the Mack's SafeSound Soft Foam (they're green) from the local CVS Pharmacy. Cheap, comfortable and do the job nicely. Later this year I plan on making a few thousand mile journey and to pass the time it'd be nice to fitup a MP3 player and maybe a comm unit but don't want to sacrifice too much silencing of wind, road and exhaust noise.
My husband started wearing earplugs recently, he keeps telling me to try it. I guess its good for the wind noise but can you still hear everything else? He says he can.
You can hear what you need to. Sirens, horns, stuff like that. But it cuts down on engine and exhaust noise a lot, and no wind. I find that I can ride much better with them. Can concentrate a lot more.
My husband started wearing earplugs recently, he keeps telling me to try it. I guess its good for the wind noise but can you still hear everything else? He says he can.
Ear plugs help a lot if you have a loud pipe or doing high speeds for long periods of time. You don't realize the dB level of the wind until you stop and take your helmet off. For normal riding I don't use them because it desensitizes me to the enviroment. If you're a rider that depends a lot on the feel of your bike for shifting as I do AND you still have a stock pipe, I'd suggest you don't wear them unless you're going on a long ride. I found myself riding in 5th thinking I was in 6th because I couldn't hear the rpm level. Well the Leo changed all that!
Kev, I use almost the exact same thing as you. I bought some orange foam ones from CVS. I like them. They don't stick out too far and are very comfortable. Plus you can pull them out of your ear just a little bit if you want to hear more.
Ear plugs help a lot if you have a loud pipe or doing high speeds for long periods of time. You don't realize the dB level of the wind until you stop and take your helmet off. For normal riding I don't use them because it desensitizes me to the enviroment. If you're a rider that depends a lot on the feel of your bike for shifting as I do AND you still have a stock pipe, I'd suggest you don't wear them unless you're going on a long ride. I found myself riding in 5th thinking I was in 6th because I couldn't hear the rpm level. Well the Leo changed all that!
Kev, I use almost the exact same thing as you. I bought some orange foam ones from CVS. I like them. They don't stick out too far and are very comfortable. Plus you can pull them out of your ear just a little bit if you want to hear more.
PS Welcome over Ninja girl!
NewRedRider????? Where have i seen this screen name before?
I started wearing some last year especially on longer rides and fast rides, that wind noise gets deafning. I upgraded to Heros and they are very good, but yet you still can hear what you need to hear. Sometimes I do forget them and I am like ugghhhhh,.....what did ya say? heh?? LOL
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Riding is not what I do....it's who I am!
Hehehe... I used to wear the sony earbuds while riding to work. Some nice low tone music like lenny kravitz and such. Just cruzing along and watching the sun come up.
While driving with my wife in her '68 Mustang, and a friend. My wife appologized for not having a radio. My friend smiled, rolled down the window and looked at us "I hear music, a symphony of headers and tail pipes."
No ear plugs for me either, I like hearing the wind.
After reading this I may have to give them a try use them at work,so why not on the long rides.Never noticed the wind being very loud,but thats the problem with this kinda stuff you don't notice it.(not even after the damage is done!)
While driving with my wife in her '68 Mustang, and a friend. My wife appologized for not having a radio. My friend smiled, rolled down the window and looked at us "I hear music, a symphony of headers and tail pipes."
...'68 Mustang???? OK, where's the pics & sound clip?
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Some days you're the dog... some days you're the hydrant.
You cant' do better than this. (Except for custom ones) Look at what else they offer, they have some audio plugs for your MP3 pleasures also.
The great thing, as you will read, is that they reduce sound at all levels. So it's not muffled, just quieter. Neato eh?
I use the Etymotic ER6i's music and noise reduction and just plain kick ass sound quality they don't stick out of my ear unless the ear is being squished against my head.
(I also keep a set of plain old plugs in the tank bag)
ear plugs work like sunglasses for your ears.. they cut down on the audio "glare" of wind noise so you can hear the important things..
The reduction in fatigue level is amazing esp on long rides..
for those that don't use em.. buy a set of the cheapies and then go for about a 2 hour ride.. 1 hour with, 1 hour without... you will feel the differnce in your fatigue level.. I'd have never believed that noise would wear me out like that, till I tried it myself...
ear plugs work like sunglasses for your ears.. they cut down on the audio "glare" of wind noise so you can hear the important things..
The reduction in fatigue level is amazing esp on long rides..
for those that don't use em.. buy a set of the cheapies and then go for about a 2 hour ride.. 1 hour with, 1 hour without... you will feel the differnce in your fatigue level.. I'd have never believed that noise would wear me out like that, till I tried it myself...
I crewed helicopters in the service, and we used earplugs along with our helmets. I knew people who didn't, and believe me, they wish they had. Most people have no idea how wind noise or noise from engines and exhaust will affect their hearing. Wear earplugs, in some way, shape, or form. They can only help.
We carry several varieties in the various facilities. They are all good at reducing noice. But, some just feel better than others. If anyone is interested in trying a few different types drop me a line, I could USPS (snail mail) a few.
Ear plugs help a lot if you have a loud pipe or doing high speeds for long periods of time. You don't realize the dB level of the wind until you stop and take your helmet off. For normal riding I don't use them because it desensitizes me to the enviroment. If you're a rider that depends a lot on the feel of your bike for shifting as I do AND you still have a stock pipe, I'd suggest you don't wear them unless you're going on a long ride. I found myself riding in 5th thinking I was in 6th because I couldn't hear the rpm level. Well the Leo changed all that!
Kev, I use almost the exact same thing as you. I bought some orange foam ones from CVS. I like them. They don't stick out too far and are very comfortable. Plus you can pull them out of your ear just a little bit if you want to hear more.
PS Welcome over Ninja girl!
These are the ones I wear for long trips. Of course, last time, I would forget to put them in after gas stops, until I got back on the road...so I would have to pull right back off to put them in. Almost every time!
I do a lot of audio work for band archiving of live performances. I see many shows a month. Westone earplugs are by far superior to any I have ever used. They might be overkill however, you cant beat the comfort and flexibility.
Westone earplugs are custom molded to your outer/middle ear by an audiologist.
My favorite thing about them is that they have different db pads that fit into the plug. -9, -14, and -25 are all optional pads. One db reduction pad comes with your purchase.
Westones are extremely low pro to you and anyone else. They still allow frequency level response which is untrue of many of the 'over the counter' brands I have purchased (I dont believe there are any I haven't used:walkman: )
I use the Etymotic ER6i's music and noise reduction and just plain kick ass sound quality they don't stick out of my ear unless the ear is being squished against my head.
(I also keep a set of plain old plugs in the tank bag)
The reduction in fatigue level is amazing esp on long rides.. ...
I have to agree. Especially for the price point. I know many that use these and have no complaints. IMHO (H=humble) the ability to customize the reduction in noise to my comfort level based on a situation is key.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvetree
After reading this I may have to give them a try use them at work,
you would easily be able to have your company and/or insurance pay for the fitting and the Westone plugs....just a thought.
I can't remember the brand name, but they are good for a 38db reduction supposedly. I just usually turn them all over and read the rating, then go with the highest number. The bullet shaped ones tend to stay in better vs. the cylindrical ones.
I just ordered some Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones. Does anyone else have these? What do you all think?
They look ok. But I saw tiny flush mount buds at the international motorcycle show I'd prefer and am looking for. There were two vendors, one with a wider dynamic range, but don't remember their names? My helmet fits very snug and I'd need to "dremel gouge it" to fit regular size earbuds. Good luck!
The reduction in fatigue level is amazing esp on long rides..
for those that don't use em.. buy a set of the cheapies and then go for about a 2 hour ride.. 1 hour with, 1 hour without... you will feel the differnce in your fatigue level.. I'd have never believed that noise would wear me out like that, till I tried it myself...
Hey Jetblast....I work on airplanes for the Air Force and the gov't.. Your nic might imply the same? And you live near Macdill AFB. Just curious.
As for ear plugs. I've worked around noise all my life and it shows. They ride me every time I get a hearing check. So, I wear them ALL the time now including mowing the lawn.
I prefer the disposable foam ones, the type you roll small with your fingers, insert in ear, they expand, for me, they are the best of the best - and they are dirt cheap to boot.
or
(E-A-R Classics / E-A-R TaperFit-2 - either cost around $15.00 for 25 pair, and you can find them for even less)
Google free earplugs / sample earplugs - plenty of free samples out there to try.
i use the little foam ones we have at work... when i go to the supply room i grab a double handfull and put them in my duffle bag........ they work wonders...
i used to do the ipod thing but i found i kept the volume at such a high level i was doing more harm than good............
Cool! What's up?
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