Ear Plugs

[Barry T]

I found myself replying to a post on 'gearing' and quiet touring, then decided it would probably be better under a new heading.

I find the best thing for relaxed touring is good ear plugs, properly inserted.

I have tried several sorts, but alway come back to the standard yellow, straight sided ones.  

I have quite a lot of sets and I wash them.  Just tie them in a piece of cloth and put them in with the washing.   The fabric conditioner my wife uses seems to make them softer and easier to insert.

If you do wash them in washing up liquid and find they dry a bit stiff, work a little of the wifes hand cream into them.  It not only softens them up, it makes them easier to insert - use the none sticky stuff.

You do all use ear plugs - dont you?

[Silver Fox]

 

Perhaps that was too much information re your wifes hand cream. Yes i always wear ear plugs - even for a 5 min spin. I buy bags of the Max orange plugs. Read that they were good in a review once. When they get a bit - u know what - they're in the bin

Philip  

[Briscy]

I confess, no I dont always wear plugs.

Mortorways yes, nearly always. I find that after an hour or so they make my ears ache, Ive tried several types as well.

Cheapest place to get plugs is firms like Arco and Greenham Trading who specialise in PPE. I buy laser lite plugs by the box full (1000?) and they last for ages. Cost about ?30.

I find the MRA screen on the V has made a big big difference to the amount of wind noise, as does the lid - currently a Suomy Gunwind.

[Mogman]

Can't stand wearing ear plugs, after a while I have to stop and take them out.  Tried a few types but decided to put up with the wind noise.

[Barry T]

Can't stand wearing ear plugs, after a while I have to stop and take them out.  Tried a few types but decided to put up with the wind noise.

As one who did a lot of riding before anyone thoughht of ear plugs - or crash helmets.  I have paid the price and now I can't hear high pitched sounds or absolute silence.  

A number of reports have shown that riding without ear plugs will damage your hearing.

It could be worth finding some plugs that you can wear.

[Rob D]

You could always try custom made ones.  I got some at the MCN show a couple of years back.  Bloody expensive but they last for ever and I don't know I've got them in.  They don't cut all the noise out - just the harmfull bits

[Mogman]

Thanks for the advice - i'll give them another try.  I'll also have a look when I go to the show in Edinburgh to see what the prices are like on custom ones..

[happychappy]

On my previous bike (600 Bandit) I wore them without fail, every time. However, I've recently bean leaving them out, just to hear as much of the Vara engine & exhaust noise  

I just luuuuurrvve the burble when you back off the throttle. Strangely enough, my wife and non-biking friends don't know what I am raving about  

[SoosiG]

I dont use ear plugs.  I find that my helmet is quite good for keeping out big noise, its a SUOMI in someone or other's race colours.  I find my ears inside itch like mad when I have tried foam plugs.  I can never get a good fit and too much noise gets blotted out with the result that as I walk across the ground to get to the bike it sounds like a herd of wildebeast following me.  All sounds become vibrations and I cant cope with that.  Blocking up the ear passages is a bit risky anyway I think and the only things I would consider are the made to fit ones as mentioned earlier.  Even then though it is not a very hygenic if you consider how many times you take them out and put them back in again.  

I think on reflection I will take my chance with the sound vs the infection from ear plugs - not being argumentative, just saying what I think personally.  No offence meant to anyone else's views.  


Soos xxx

[Rob D]

Should have said - I do wash my earplugs regularly, along with the box I keep them in.  When I used disposable plugs I used to get whistling in my ears when I got off the bike if I'd been riding fast(ish).

The instructor on my MAC course was a bike cop in the days of open faced lids and no earplugs and he was almost completely deaf!

Rob D

[the boy tim]

I have to say that I always wear plugs if riding over 40 mph - ie outside town.

From early years in recording studios and doing gigs I have a 'challenged' right ear.  Riding w/o plugs leaves me with mild tinnitus in my right ear for about a day.  Not currently a big deal but Doc reckons that I have to be a bit careful if I want my ears to last as long as the rest of me.

If you currently dont give them a try.  Hearing damage is cumulative and does not heal itself - like a bank account that only offers withdrawls and no credits or interest.

I buy from www.earplugs.gb.com.  brilliant range and service.  They do great trial packs.

If you cant get on with the foam jobbies try Rockets. They are soft rubbery plastic and dont give me any probs at all.

[WennyWizard]

Never used earplugs,that's why I'm as deaf as a post.Best answer is my MP3 player, earplug type earphones push right in your ears. Can't feel them when helmet is on. Best of all is Nirvana accompanying me on boring journeys. Before you all start yes I can hear horns being blown at me etc.

[happychappy]

Pardon, what was that 

[Duncan]

 

[Silver Fox]

Have bought 200 from these guys also. Order , deliver and then u pay...

There is a good side to humanity... top service

Yellow Soft FX? 39 dB..bla bla

I buy from www.earplugs.gb.com.? brilliant range and service.?

Philip