Ear plugs and bullshit [Archive]

slofox

19th December 2013, 14:48

Whilst ear plugs do not actually keep skin on the body, they do protect the hearing system from permanent damage. So I always use them. Hate to be without them - I can hear all the mechanical clatter in the engine and it always sounds like it is about to fall to bits. And they cut out the dreaded wind noise too.

I like 3M EARsoft FX plugs. I've always bought a ten pair pack for around $10. This week, I went to Blackwoods Paykel (Te Rapa branch) to replenish my supply. The assistant told me they were "only available in 200 packs now. The gummint has said we can only sell them in 200 packs."

"What the fuck?" was my immediate thinking. I left without buying anything (or voicing my thoughts on bullshit either).

Called in at the Killarney Rd branch of the same firm on the way home. Dude in there looked through all branches plus NZ Safety stores (part of the same group he said) but nobody had any in stock.

So I went online and ended up phoning 3M. They still sell the ten pack. They come in a box of 20 ten packs. And there is nothing to prevent the sale thereof. They put me onto a few stockists but none that I contacted had any in stock and seemed reluctant to order them in. So it seems that only large commercial users are catered for by these "safety gear" shops. Tough shit if you are a small company or a loony motorbiker not wanting enough plugs to outlast one's life expectancy.

Ended up buying some from eBay, UK. I get 20 pairs for $13.51, delivered. Cheaper and less fuss than a local purchase.

Makes me wonder how serious some local companies are about attracting all possible trade. No wonder the internet is eating into local sales.

SMOKEU

19th December 2013, 15:21

With the laughable prices and poor customer service that many retailers think is acceptable these days, no wonder many of them are going bankrupt.

I use 3M Skull Screws (https://www.google.com/search?q=3m+skull+screws&client=iceweasel-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&channel=rcs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=A2ayUvKELYv9lAWHtIGQDQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=784).

G4L4XY

19th December 2013, 15:55

boman

19th December 2013, 16:09

Vinz0r

19th December 2013, 16:10

Do you guys have loud aftermarket cans? The only loud thing when I'm riding is the damn wind. I only have the standard can as I'm too poor for that fancy shit. Also I listen to music most of the time and I can still hear the engine over it and all, kinda sounds like it works properly though slofox, should it sound like it's falling apart? Without the music I can still only just hear the engine from the level of turbulence from the wind.

I need earplugs on my bike; when we did the cape trip I was using them but the bastards kept falling out no matter how I jammed them in, I think I have weird ears. Been trying some different styles but might just have to bite the bullet and get some custom ones made.
I find that with my shitty helmet the wind noise and exhaust noise are usually at around the same level; really fucking loud.

SMOKEU

19th December 2013, 16:11

Do you guys have loud aftermarket cans? The only loud thing when I'm riding is the damn wind.

The exhaust isn't excessively loud, but the wind noise certainly is without earplugs when going faster than about 80kmh.

Moi

19th December 2013, 16:17

I'm with you slofox on this...
already have some hearing loss and want to lose no more...
use these http://www.trademe.co.nz/health-beauty/medical-supplies/other/auction-674118461.htm which I find very good.

Tried the 3M screw ones... not very comfy...

As for listening to music... what better music than the sounds of a v-twin or single banger! :drool:

G4L4XY

19th December 2013, 16:40

I need earplugs on my bike; when we did the cape trip I was using them but the bastards kept falling out no matter how I jammed them in, I think I have weird ears. Been trying some different styles but might just have to bite the bullet and get some custom ones made.
I find that with my shitty helmet the wind noise and exhaust noise are usually at around the same level; really fucking loud.

Your bike sounds sexy, especially when you fanged past to get to the campground on-time....only to not know where one was going haha

slofox

19th December 2013, 16:55

Do you guys have loud aftermarket cans?

No. Standard factory muffler. The bike is actually pretty quiet (unless you red line it at 16,000rpm)...It's just that I am used to having high frequencies filtered out and only hear the lower growly bits of the engine noise. So without plugs, all that extra noise comes back.

I had plugz4lugz as well for a bit. But I have a narrow ear canal on one side and eventually the plug for that ear broke in half. I tried the FX plugs as a stop gap until I could afford more plugz4lugz and found that I preferred the filtering characteristics of the FX plugs to those of the P4L's. The plugz4lugz had more attenuation overall, but the FX's took out more wind noise. Which I like. So I have stayed with them.

The FX's, due to their lower overall attenuation, also allow me to better hear things like the bluetooth phone link and the TPX radar detector.

I tried another sort of plug this week supposedly having the same noise abatement capability (5) as the FX's but their performance was crap. They just didn't fill the ear canal as well as the FX's. So no more of those.

Overall, like anything, I guess we use what we like best.

Kickaha

19th December 2013, 16:57

Do you guys have loud aftermarket cans? The only loud thing when I'm riding is the damn wind. I only have the standard can as I'm too poor for that fancy shit. Also I listen to music most of the time and I can still hear the engine over it and all, kinda sounds like it works properly though slofox, should it sound like it's falling apart? Without the music I can still only just hear the engine from the level of turbulence from the wind.
Wind noise will cause hearing loss over time

I bought a pair of plugs for lugs, 4 years ago. Bets money I have spent.
Moulded to fit my ears, and comfy
Had the same until I lost them and I will be getting another pair when I can

Gremlin

19th December 2013, 17:04

Wind noise will cause hearing loss over time
What he said, and it's permanent.

I'm on my hmmm... 3rd pair of Plugz4Lugz. Lost the first pair (they warned me, but yes, black was a dumb idea if you put them on the road), 2nd pair broke (btw, I think they're using a new compound - depends when yours broke), now using the 3rd, probably 2-3 years old now, and have a 4th set on standby, as I couldn't be without them, until I had another pair organised.

awa355

19th December 2013, 18:32

Good ear plugs should cut out farting as well.

291192

pratik8890

19th December 2013, 19:30

I bought a pair of plugs for lugs, 4 years ago. Bets money I have spent.

Moulded to fit my ears, and comfy. They never fall out, when I put helmet on.

And I can get as many pairs of ear plugs I need for free, from work.

Perhaps you should start a side business and sell them to us in a box with 10 or 20 so that we dont have to buy them from overseas ( ebay ) :2thumbsup

The exhaust isn't excessively loud, but the wind noise certainly is without earplugs when going faster than about 80kmh.

I couldnt agree more on this.

pratik8890

19th December 2013, 19:41

What he said, and it's permanent.

I'm on my hmmm... 3rd pair of Plugz4Lugz. Lost the first pair (they warned me, but yes, black was a dumb idea if you put them on the road), 2nd pair broke (btw, I think they're using a new compound - depends when yours broke), now using the 3rd, probably 2-3 years old now, and have a 4th set on standby, as I couldn't be without them, until I had another pair organised.

Hey Gremlim, Where to buy these PLUGZ 4 LUGZ ? Thank you

Good ear plugs should cut out farting as well.

Yes but you've to put them in your nose to do that so I dont think thats a good idea :P :nono:

BMWST?

19th December 2013, 20:03

Hey Gremlim, Where to buy these PLUGZ 4 LUGZ ? Thank you

Yes but you've to put them in your nose to do that so I dont think thats a good idea :P :nono:

they post on here every now and then. they travel around a bit

bogan

19th December 2013, 20:14

they post on here every now and then. they travel around a bit

also kiwiplugs for the lower north, who iirc do a DIY kit which can be sent anywhere, though I reckon it's well worth the trip to waikanae to get him to do em if you can make it; and presumably also worth getting P4L to do same if you can.

Some of the best money I've spent too, don't know how I could ever ride my 2T mx bike without em now. Comfy enough to sleep with em in too.

Gremlin

19th December 2013, 20:38

Hey Gremlim, Where to buy these PLUGZ 4 LUGZ ? Thank you
They are members on KB, and regularly post where they will be: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/8783-Plugz-4-Lugz

Alternatively, contact them. Last few years they've been at Paeroa, and attend other events as well.

slofox

19th December 2013, 21:00

Perhaps you should start a side business and sell them to us in a box with 10 or 20 so that we dont have to buy them from overseas ( ebay ) :2thumbsup

Yeah. Thought about that...

bluninja

19th December 2013, 21:32

Eh? :lol:

slider39

19th December 2013, 21:52

also kiwiplugs for the lower north, who iirc do a DIY kit which can be sent anywhere, though I reckon it's well worth the trip to waikanae to get him to do em if you can make it; and presumably also worth getting P4L to do same if you can.

Some of the best money I've spent too, don't know how I could ever ride my 2T mx bike without em now. Comfy enough to sleep with em in too.

I use these and find them exceptionally good. You can adjust the attenuation to suit your needs.

http://www.earbuddies.co.nz/alpmsp.html

TimeOut

20th December 2013, 04:18

I use these and find them exceptionally good. You can adjust the attenuation to suit your needs.

http://www.earbuddies.co.nz/alpmsp.html

I use these as well love them, easy to put in and comfy, probably not as much noise reduction though

insomnia01

20th December 2013, 06:25

Kiwiplugs I use, I have used the Pluz for Lugz audio plugs but found for the same $$$$ Dave at Kiwi will give you 2 sets ( audio/non audio) always handy to have a backup, wouldn't leave home without them now that I have them for 4-5yrs :clap:

p.dath

20th December 2013, 07:01

I need earplugs on my bike; when we did the cape trip I was using them but the bastards kept falling out no matter how I jammed them in, I think I have weird ears. Been trying some different styles but might just have to bite the bullet and get some custom ones made.
I find that with my shitty helmet the wind noise and exhaust noise are usually at around the same level; really fucking loud.

If they are falling out it usually means you aren't putting them in properly, probably because no one has shown you. This video is very boring, but shows you how to fit them properly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqgIZOft1a4

Grubber

20th December 2013, 07:04

I bought a pair of plugs for lugs, 4 years ago. Bets money I have spent.

Moulded to fit my ears, and comfy. They never fall out, when I put helmet on.

And I can get as many pairs of ear plugs I need for free, from work.

Yup i did the same about 3 years ago and wondered why i hadn't done it before.
Fit like a glove and never fall out. Awesome things they are!

wysper

20th December 2013, 09:15

Yep, ear buddies are good. Or pop into your local rock shop and get some musician plugs. They are good too.

And as others have said, it is the wind noise not the bike noise that ruins your hearing.

Big Dave

20th December 2013, 09:19

I use some nice senheisers and a rockin' playlist.

JimmyC

20th December 2013, 09:28

I use 3M Skull Screws (https://www.google.com/search?q=3m+skull+screws&client=iceweasel-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&channel=rcs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=A2ayUvKELYv9lAWHtIGQDQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=784).

Do you have to trim the ends off those so the helmet doesn't push them in too much?

SMOKEU

20th December 2013, 15:19

Do you have to trim the ends off those so the helmet doesn't push them in too much?

No. When I first got my helmet, it was a tight fit and my ears got quite painful after about 30 minutes with those earplugs from the large amount of pressure from the helmet. After a few weeks once the helmet loosened up and moulded to the shape of my head, I no longer had that problem and the plugs fit comfortably under the lid now. These plugs are very durable, and once there's an ear wax build up I simply wash them in warm water with a bit of soap and they're as good as new.

Akzle

22nd December 2013, 17:00

i cant afford a loud helmet.

haydes55

22nd December 2013, 17:36

i cant afford a loud helmet.

You can't afford a bag of chips and $5.

I used 3M ones that dad borrowed from work. They worked fine, but didn't last. I would ideally need a pair every day (they get dirty easy).

I bought a pack from Hamilton motorcycles, came with a little case to help keep them cleaner. But they didn't fit as well, kept falling out.

Until I pulled my outter ear up when inserting it. Now they stay in. But they don't block out as much noise as I would like. I'll give plugz4lugz a go next time I see them (boxing day if they go to Wanganui).

Taxythingy

22nd December 2013, 19:52

I used 3M ones that dad borrowed from work. They worked fine, but didn't last. I would ideally need a pair every day (they get dirty easy).

I've been using Super Leights (Howard Leight) from NZ Safety. About $5 for 5 pair, including carry case for a pair. Can reuse them until they're grubbier than a Manchester St hooker, unlike some. I'll typically replace them after about 2-3 weeks. Fit well & have never fallen out on me.

Akzle

22nd December 2013, 20:26

I'll typically replace them after about 2-3 weeks. Fit well & have never fallen out on me.

orange ones? with three flappy bits and a cord?

they do good, and will stand up to going through the washing machine in a pocket, too.

pratik8890

24th December 2013, 10:48

they post on here every now and then. they travel around a bit

Ok thank you for the info.

They are members on KB
Alternatively, contact them. Last few years they've been at Paeroa, and attend other events as well. Thank you Ill pm them for more info.

Tigadee

24th December 2013, 13:09

use these http://www.trademe.co.nz/health-beauty/medical-supplies/other/auction-674118461.htm which I find very good.

+1 Use them and love them.

I started to get this ringing in my ears after first 6 months riding, commuting everyday on the motorway to work. Wearing ear plugs is a must now for me.

avgas

24th December 2013, 13:59

291396
huh!?

vifferman

24th December 2013, 19:46

I've been using Super Leights (Howard Leight) from NZ Safety. About $5 for 5 pair, including carry case for a pair. Can reuse them until they're grubbier than a Manchester St hooker, unlike some. I'll typically replace them after about 2-3 weeks. Fit well & have never fallen out on me.
I bought some today - actually $4.78 for five pairs. Had trouble finding an 8 cent coin though, so had to use the EFTPOS card...
I was actually looking for some class 5 ones - the 3M 1100s I'm using are too quiet for communtering and listening to music/cellphone/GPS, but by the look of these they'll be as quiet or more so, so it might be back to the drawing board. Next on my target list is Uvex - theirs look pretty thin and crappy so might do the job.
Yeah - I *know* it seems back to front, but after spending heaps on two Sena SMH10 headsets, a new helmet, and Sena SM10, and never riding with the Vifferbabe since (not helped by her buying a cabriolet, which she'd rather drive than perch on the back of the VFR), I decided I'd listen to music during my commute, and get some use from my expensive toys...
And for that, the 3M plugs are too good.:(

98tls

24th December 2013, 20:01

A V-twin with a decent aftermarket system negates any need for ear plugs.

Taxythingy

24th December 2013, 20:49

orange ones? with three flappy bits and a cord?

Nope, these ones:
http://www.nzsafety.co.nz/servlet/Srv.Ecos_Main_Frame?AI=Hc3G0zvUKZP@DbTA&CMD=PRD&P1=405553&P2=LIST

Probably made from the same stuff. Just works. Good rubber :blip:

Mo NZ

25th December 2013, 05:45

orange ones? with three flappy bits and a cord?

they do good, and will stand up to going through the washing machine in a pocket, too.

Bought 30 pair for $11 at Mitre 10, they didn't have the cord.
They are good.

BMWST?

25th December 2013, 10:50

vifferman

25th December 2013, 12:12

as said before the wind noise alone on a motorcycle is enough to damage your hearing.In my previous life as a motorcyclist i didnt start wearing earplugs till i started getting bikes with fairings which seemed to be noisier than naked bikes.The ol gspd is even worse than i remember.I havathe full whisper kit incl chin curtain AND custom moulded plugs and its still bloody noisy.Maybe the raid 2 is a noisy helmet..i get tinnitus now.
I had tinnitus for a while - before I started wearing earplugs on every open-road ride. It started when I had to ride from Christchurch to Tauranga without earplugs (or wet-weather gear) because the Vifferbabe was too efficient with the packing.
It may not be the Raid that's noisy, but how the airstream over the front of your bike is: height, turbulence, etc. My VF500 I used to have was bad for turbulence off the screen, until I happened on an interview with Aaron Slight, who said that his RC45 was noisier than Colin Edwards' one. Slight's bike had a rubber beading along the top of the screen so he could see the edge of it and not bump his helmet on it when he tucked behind it, whereas there was nothing on Edwards' bike. He ripped the beading off and the turbulence disappeared. "Huh...", I thought, and did the same; result: quieter rides, less buffeting around the helmet.
On the VFR800, it's not too bad, as the airstream is a few inches below the bottom of the helmet. I also added some foam in the seat when I recovered it, as I've got long legs, so that helps too. However, it's got a moulded lip along the top of the screen, that I'm tempted to grind off, but I suspect it aids in rigidity. Pity they didn't put it on the underside, although the nose of the fairing has a gap between it and the screen, so some air funnels along under the windshield, to make the flow more laminar.

BMWST?

25th December 2013, 17:18

I have recently taken the screen off altogether much much quieter

Yamahardman

25th December 2013, 21:20

I borrow a fistful of plugs from work every once in a while. The gb is loud as hell, as well as the pulsing whup sound i get from the fairing, haha.

However, I never use them on the rd, too paranoid and listening all the time for weird noises.

iranana

26th December 2013, 15:32

However, I never use them on the rd, too paranoid and listening all the time for weird noises.

Ditto, any two stroke should be ridden with a keen ear hahaha

craigdek

26th December 2013, 15:53

Don't you guys get those waxy earplugs like sponges here? Roll them one side push in and the expand out? Had to use them on those blasted Olifant tanks with those 105mm rounds. Personally prefer loud heavy metal with inner ear headphones. Just get bad habits though. Certain tracks I find myself moving to the middle of the road to clutch wheelie...... then realise I'm on the mountain bike ffs.