Ear Plugs? Opinions please...

[madboy]

I'm thinking about getting ear plugs. The stock pipe on the 636 is hardly noisy, but the wind noise at, umm, sustained "highway" speeds can't be good for my hearing. I run an earpiece from the scanner (like the bouncer style ones) that sits over the ear rather than in it, so I figure if I turn the scanner up I'll still be able to hear over the plugs. Yes/no?

So if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinions on ear plugs thanks.

[Skyryder]

I use them on long rides. Just the cheep soft rubber typ. Can't see any problem with detector devices.

Skyryder

[thealmightytaco]

I use them for drumming all the time, and was thinking of doing the same thing after I noticed the ringing after some of my few highway rides.

I use a pair of $20? ones I got from the music shop, the ones with 3 cones. Were old stock at the time though, I think they're about $40-50 new. Work really well for music so I don't see why they wont work on a bike, designed for letting in all frequencies equally ra ra so you everything clear but quieter.
Whereas with $2 foam plugs you get quiter and muffled, and after 10-15 uses they stop expanding properly, but for what they are....
Depends what you prefer really.

Might be a problem with hearing the authorities behind you but you gotta hear them over the wind anyway so surely there can't be any legal problems with it. Where's the coppers at...

[Mental Trousers]

I've never used earplugs on a bike so I'm quite interested in them as well. Especially those 3 cone ones that taco is talking about. Can't say I've ever had a problem with too much wind noise. I do get some but it never seems to affect me. Main problem is that hearing the induction roar when the flat slides are wide open is addictive so I don't want to mute that at all :blah:

[T.W.R]

only use them on longer rides or on tour etc.
got two different types a pair of industrial E.A.R rubber ones with a joiner cord 93db rated reusable cost $15 roughly. (mainly use these coz of the joiner cord).
second pair are Hoppe's earplugs for shooting slightly higher db rating (so slightly quieter) but have longer tabs so less comfy in the helmet reusable also.

both come in small sealable containers

[terbang]

I wear them all the time just the cheapo ones that you throw away. I read somewhere a while back that the noise levels inside the average helmet are at a level that could be damaging to your hearing. I must have a reasonable sized pair of lugs as it is only the large size that seem to work for me.:drinkup:

[madboy]

Might be a problem with hearing the authorities behind you but you gotta hear them over the wind anyway so surely there can't be any legal problems with it. Where's the coppers at...What do you think the odds are I'm gonna let them get that close that I'll hear the siren anyway?

[Karma]

Never use earplugs... just have my Minidisc player on instead, that drowns out the noise and makes the commute a little more enjoyable.

[NinjaBoy]

Use them for all my leisure riding (read long weekend blats). I use the soft foam ones and they still let you hear the induction roar and takes the edge off the wind noise..

Why don't you try one ear plug and the scanner ear piece in the other. I suspect with the ear plug in you won't be able to hear the scanner.

[Zed]

I take earplugs with me in my pocket whenever I ride, I choose to use them about 2% of the time but *know* that I should be always using them, according to the ear experts anyway! Just don't feel comfortable having them in my ears inside my helmet when I'm riding, and personal comfort is fairly important to me so I don't use them, regardless of whether I go deaf i suppose. :bye:

[robnz]

never used when younger and damaged the nerves in my left ear. now i dont leave home without them. nothing more annoying then being some where quiet and have constant clicking in your ear

[Biff]

I'm thinking about getting ear plugs. The stock pipe on the 636 is hardly noisy, but the wind noise at, umm, sustained "highway" speeds can't be good for my hearing. I run an earpiece from the scanner (like the bouncer style ones) that sits over the ear rather than in it, so I figure if I turn the scanner up I'll still be able to hear over the plugs. Yes/no?

So if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinions on ear plugs thanks.

I use ear plugs, and I've no problem hearing the scanner shit itself.

It depends on the speaker in your ear hanger as to whether you'll get a decent volume level out of it. If it's a Sonic Comms unit - you're sweet.

[Motu]

I use the Alpine ear plugs,I hate the foam jobs.With the Alpine plugs I can hear my exhaust,cars passing,sirens,people talking to me....and even my phone in my jacket - but they kill the wind noise.

[sugilite]

If I ride distance, I use em. I have noticed that for really long rides, I get a lot less fatigued. Wind noise gets quite stressful for the poor body and this saps energy.
I also use them for racing.

[MOTOXXX]

yea i use them on longer rides. cuts down the wind noise a lot.
i always forget to put them in on short rides

[pritch]

I use the Alpine ear plugs,

I use Alpine too but also have some Leight brand foam plugs that I got from NZ Industrial Gases I think. They come with a little plastic tube container.

The Alpine take just a little getting used to, if you don't push them too far in they are comfortable and you can get them out again :-)

[Groins_NZ]

I use the Alpine ear plugs,I hate the foam jobs.With the Alpine plugs I can hear my exhaust,cars passing,sirens,people talking to me....and even my phone in my jacket - but they kill the wind noise.

Hey Motu - where do you get these 'Alpine' plugs from and what do they look like? Cheers.

I wear the expandable foam plugs, nearly all the time, unless I'm just going for a ride on some twisties and I really feel like listening to the engine :-). I'll use them for a few weeks and then bin them. I get a dozen packets or so from Mitre 10 when I need to as they only cost 40-50 cents here instead of $2+ at the Chemist.

I think they definitly help reduce the noise overall but I could do without the low frequency hum in my head created by wearing them.

Here is a good site explaining why it's a good idea to wear em while riding...
http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/earplug.html
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[boomer]

i've got the alpine ones as the arai helmet is noisey as buggery;
Very uncomfy to start with but i dont know i've got them in now. You can cut them down to size depending on your 'shape' and theyre supposed to cut the wind noise out; As said before you can still hear everything;

I noticed the rozza ping me tonight, it took him 2 blasts to get my attention but he managed to ping me for 77 in a 50 :mad: Now i just gotta await the ticket in the post :cry:

[TLDV8]

I'm thinking about getting ear plugs.
So if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinions on ear plugs thanks.

Sure ..i always have an opinion,here's my first one..anyone who doesn't wear ear plugs is crazy........ my job means i have had to wear hearing protection for 30 years..bikes are no different,you will go deaf over time without them if you are doing any mileage,the plugs (i only use 3M) will remove any harshness and you can still hear fine.The main thing is to put them in properly as per the instructions and let them settle/expand before putting your helmet on.Once you are used to them you are sweet. (imhofwiw)

[erik]

I use the cheap foam plugs. i've had problems in the past with my ears getting blocked with wax, i think due to the plugs pushing it further in. Lately I've taken to trimming the plugs so they don't go so far in, with a bit of luck it'll stop the wax building up in my ears.

[XP@]

Use them about 50% of the time Usually on longer rides or when I am heading in to the wind on the daily commute.

I'm forever accidentaly disposing of the good ones so I bought a box of about 200 pairs for the same price as a couple of good pairs from the local safety shop
Now i always have some, can give them away and dont mind getting rid of them accidentally.

[FEINT]

I have the soft foam ones. I also have a set of Sony MDR - EX71 ear buds that play MP3's. they do well cancelling road noise.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=MDREX71SL&Dept=audio&CategoryName=pa_Headphones_FontopiaEarbud

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Helps being deaf - I don't ride with hearing aids in!! lol

[What?]

I don't wear them, coz I can't. Any off the shelf earplugs give me big pain within a few minutes.
S'pose I could get some custom made...

[Highlander]

I have never tried ear plugs for riding, I use ear buds for the MP3 player it cancells out the windage to a fair degree.

I have ear plugs I use for sleeping during the day (being a shift worker) cost about $40 picked them up from a travel type shop. Supposed to be the business for international travel etc. Certainly helps when the neighbours are mowing lawns and the likes while I sleep.

BTW, opinions are like arm pits - everyone has them and most of them stink!!!

[Eurodave]

Yeah, I wear em on long trips,I arrive feeling A LOT less stressed.:2thumbsup When you take them out after wearing them for a while its funny how loud & thrashy the bikes motor sounds & just how loud the wind noise was :gob:

[pritch]

Selective quote:


where do you get these 'Alpine' plugs from and what do they look like?

http://www.challengermotors.co.nz/

There is a (small) picture on the home page, the business is in Henderson.

[miSTa]

Apart from the commute to work I wear 3M 1100 foam earplugs all the time. I can wear these all day without any problem.

I've been meaning to get the Alpine plugs, there's even a place here in Chch that sells them.

[scumdog]

ALWAYS wear 'em on trips (except around town) and what a blessing they are, no loud hissing noise, no wind-roar and less stress and better hearing at the end of the trip.
Bike seems smoother too without the same amount of exhaust noise.:yeah:

No problems with the cops. (Well I wouldn't, would I?)

[Highlander]

I read an article on the interweb that said it was ilegal in some of the US states on the basis that it would prevent you hearing sirens of emergency services.
Guess Kiwis are either more observant or have louder sirens.

[Fatjim]

I've worn them since I got my bike back after I ditched it last Easter. In the 10 weeks in the shop (i know) my hearing made some recovery and I noticed it when I first hopped back on.

I wear -22db 3 coned reusables. 4.50 from the safety shop. the foam ones tend to have a higher rating but I don't think its neccasary on the bike. I can still hear outside noise, just not so much wind and exhaust noise.

Couple of tips.
1. Pulling down on your earlobe when putting the plugs in helps to get them in.
2. They will be uncomfrotable for the first couple of times but then you'll only notice them when they're not in.
3. If your ear gets a little clogged up, a drop of olive oil helps to loosen it all up and helps your ears shite all over your shoulders. Do this in a private moment.

Now, I hope some of you welly riders don;t don;t wear plugs so you can really appreciate the manly sound of a V-Twin :)

[Motu]

never used when younger and damaged the nerves in my left ear. now i dont leave home without them. nothing more annoying then being some where quiet and have constant clicking in your ear

Me too,it's my left ear.

When I first started riding I didn't wear a helmet,and my job is pretty rough on the ears - I now have what would be considered severe hearing loss,and my left ear is practicaly useless.If I forget to wear my Alpine ear plugs the damage to my left ear is instant and gives trouble for a couple of weeks....maybe it's me getting used to the new level of hearing loss.I'd rather wear shorts and Tshirt than no ear plugs - at least then the damage to my body is under my control,I'll only get hurt if I crash....without ear plugs you damage your hearing everytime you ride.

[Hitcher]

Did somebody say "Earplugs"? I wear these all the time when riding. Grommet type rather than squishies. They make all the difference to riding comfort, particularly on longer journeys. Helmet wind noise generally means you can't hear your pipes at highway speeds anyway.

[madboy]

Now, I hope some of you welly riders don;t don;t wear plugs so you can really appreciate the manly sound of a V-Twin :)Yeah, it sounded nice as I passed it yesterday. Purely co-incidence that I followed your bike and are now asking about earplugs, aye? ;)

[skidMark]

i just recently bought some earbud headphones for my ipod for while i'm riding.

i had to get some that go right in the ear rather than just sitting there mainly because i had to run them at a lower level or i kept blowing the headphones.

so these ones block out heaps of background noise even with no music playing, (but so you can still hear the bike of course could make for some dodgy gear changes otherwise :blank: ) but they do block out enough so that the bike doesnt deafen you.

and i am able to run the buds at a much lower volume and still hear them well.

would be good as you can just plug your radar in and when it goes off you will hear it easily. and have an ear plug effect really
they were $65 from e town digital in newmarket.

I recommend these.


Sony MDR-EX51LP ....even has a gold plated plug.

Cheers: MA

[Highlander]

Sounds like My ear buds are similar to yours MA. Don't know what they cost - the kids gave em to me for Fathers day. Do have to turn the MP3 player down to almost as low as it goes or it is too loud - way better than the standard ones. Can still hear the bike too but cuts the windage by more than half I'd say.

[skidMark]

Sounds like My ear buds are similar to yours MA. Don't know what they cost - the kids gave em to me for Fathers day. Do have to turn the MP3 player down to almost as low as it goes or it is too loud - way better than the standard ones. Can still hear the bike too but cuts the windage by more than half I'd say.

i still have to run my ipod at about 1/2 or more but not nearly flat out like i used to .... mind you i like music loud kinda deafeats the purpose of noise block lol.

but yeah they work well and they stay in too :D

[skidMark]

found them....

http://www.etown.co.nz/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1574

[pritch]

i just recently bought some earbud headphones for my ipod for while i'm riding.

I recommend these.

Sony MDR-EX51LP ....
MA

Thanks for that, I hadn't persevered with the iPod on the bike as I didn't know of a suitable earpiece. These might make the iPod an option for my next South Island jaunt.

Is E Town good to deal with?

[skidMark]

Thanks for that, I hadn't persevered with the iPod on the bike as I didn't know of a suitable earpiece. These might make the iPod an option for my next South Island jaunt.

Is E Town good to deal with?


yeah seem to know thier stuff when it came to what i wanted

[madboy]

Well thanks for all the advice. Looking for a more immediate solution (I don't mind dropping $65 on earplugs, but I didn't feel like waiting until the real shops opened) I've been down to the local Mitre 10 MEGA and bought some 3M 1100 foam jobs (55c a pair) and a pack of Protector ear plugs, 6 pair for $8. The protector seem to be rated to -28db, while the 3M are -21. I'll try them tomorrow and see how they go.

Be interested to see if I can still hear that fat VTR.

[Magua]

I should get some now that I ride a dirty two smoker.

[Highlander]

These are what I have, they are great. Cuts back the windage, stay put on / in my ears when I put my helmet on, have to turn my volume fairly well down on the MP3 (or it is too loud) and while riding down the road I can still hear my bike.

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=50236&crumb=10003-10017-10046-10060

[deathstar]

as a newbie rider i can't ride without listening to the bike so none for me

[scumdog]

as a newbie rider i can't ride without listening to the bike so none for me

Nah, ya can still hear your bike (mine sounds like a duke when I wear earplugs!)

[Highlander]

Riding down the road with a friend who has a GSXR 1000 i could often hear his bike over mine and the music.

[madboy]

as a newbie rider i can't ride without listening to the bike so none for meOn a GN the windflow over your helmet would be about half mine.

[emaN]

yep,always wear 'em if riding outta town.
it's unreal how much more "enjoyable" the ride can be;if they're sore at first,stick with it...definitely worth it,especially in the long run.
BUT,do not "suck" on 'em to make 'em easier to slide in; this creates a warm moist environment for 'dem buggy bugs to set up home & pro-create!

[daveeasey]

I use cheap ear plugs (well they're free from work actually) and have a screamer fitted. I have no probs hearing the screamer even on the low setting with the plugs in and at decent speeds!! I wear plugs no matter how long my ride - after too many ear-bashing gigs in my yooof knackering my 'drums - so that I now value what l have left. :nya:

Not only do the plugs reduce wind noise they also muffle the mechanised wailing from down below thus reducing the likelihood of self-induced mechanical sympathy :no:

[terbang]

Jeez Weasel its worth coming here for the amusement of your Avitars..:headbang:

[Marmoot]

I take earplugs with me in my pocket whenever I ride, I choose to use them about 2% of the time but *know* that I should be always using them, according to the ear experts anyway! Just don't feel comfortable having them in my ears inside my helmet when I'm riding, and personal comfort is fairly important to me so I don't use them, regardless of whether I go deaf i suppose. :bye:

I ended up going faster when I'm wearing them........I realise that after a lot of near-misses.

[TraD_MaN]

does it make the fxr stop sounding like a chainsaw when you wear ear plugs :shit: lol

man wearing ear plugs on a bike has never crossed my mind, im going to use them now :niceone:

[sels1]

Never had a problem on my last 2 bikes (except when following a certain old Guzzi...) but have started using earplugs on the new bike(when I remember to put them in) - what an improvement - I dont know if my helmet is getting a looser fit with age or its the aerodynamics of the bike but the wind noise has got irritating lately so I have been trying the 50c foam ones and they work well.

[Fatjim]

Yeah, it sounded nice as I passed it yesterday. Purely co-incidence that I followed your bike and are now asking about earplugs, aye? ;)

Always glad to help you youngans in the right direction.

[Pathos]

I bought some cheap ones from a chemist before riding to palmy.

They filtered out everything but the high pitched scream of the wind. Ears started to sting like crazy so I chucked them out.

I'm gonna get some proper ones some day...

[flash]

i use the elcheapo $1 ones from supercheap and they work a treat. i bought because of the ringing ang headaches i got on long/fast rides.

[_intense_]

As a non radar using rider (for the moment) i wear soft rubber plugs to cut the wind noise, it helps me concentrate on what im seeing & feeling through the bars, protects from the mosquito on speed howl of my wee in-line 4 :D I reccommend it to anyone riding open roads as it aids concentration if for no other reason.

[skidMark]

As a non radar using rider (for the moment) i wear soft rubber plugs to cut the wind noise, it helps me concentrate on what im seeing & feeling through the bars, protects from the mosquito on speed howl of my wee in-line 4 :D I reccommend it to anyone riding open roads as it aids concentration if for no other reason.

then i add music in just to defeat the point of concentration

[miSTa]

For those that like to listen to music the ER6 or 6I from http://www.etymotic.com are supposed to be real good, just kind of pricey which is why I haven't bought them for the wife yet. As for me the only music I want to listen to is induction roar :love:

[crash harry]

One thing I notice with earplugs (and know 'm not alone here) is that I unconciously ride faster with them in. Cutting the wind noise reduces the sensation of speed. Not a problem, but just gotta keep an eye on the speedo until your brain adjusts...

(BTW I just use the foam ones - they seem to be as good as anything)

[flash]

One thing I notice with earplugs (and know 'm not alone here) is that I unconciously ride faster with them in. Cutting the wind noise reduces the sensation of speed. Not a problem, but just gotta keep an eye on the speedo until your brain adjusts...

(BTW I just use the foam ones - they seem to be as good as anything)

deffinatly, you just seem to go faster

[Lou Girardin]

I'm using the Alpine plugs, the work very well and I can hear the detector's remote speaker fine.

[madboy]

Well tried the foam jobbies out today. Excellent I must say. The reduction in wind noise was fantastic. And today was definitely the day to be talking about wind. Did well over 200k (distance and, ahem...) and they were fine.

Definitely a must have for distance rides now.

[LaggCity]

I use the Alpine ear plugs,I hate the foam jobs.With the Alpine plugs I can hear my exhaust,cars passing,sirens,people talking to me....and even my phone in my jacket - but they kill the wind noise.


Where do you get the Alpines from , keen to get some..cheers:niceone:

[Motu]

Some guy does them mail order,but I forget.....Motumail have them.

[Toast]

Where do you get the Alpines from , keen to get some..cheers:niceone:

Got mine from Cycletreads on the 'Shore. Wouldn't be without them.

[Pixie]

Years ago,when I first went looking for plugs,I had to stick with disposables as the reusables weren't compatible with pixie ears.
Recently I had another look into what reusables are on the market,and have found EAR and Moldex brands are quite comfortable.The Moldex ones are slightly smaller in diameter and are hollow,which makes them softer and more comfortable for small ears.
Both are flanged silicone moldings,same as the Alpines.For 10% of the price.
These are available from NZ Safety branches for around $5

[Shadows]

I'm thinking about getting ear plugs. The stock pipe on the 636 is hardly noisy, but the wind noise at, umm, sustained "highway" speeds can't be good for my hearing. I run an earpiece from the scanner (like the bouncer style ones) that sits over the ear rather than in it, so I figure if I turn the scanner up I'll still be able to hear over the plugs. Yes/no?

So if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinions on ear plugs thanks.

I thought you'd be used to wind noise like the rest of us Wellingtonians

[SwanTiger]

I didn't have ear plugs at first, but when I noticed the ringing sensation after long rides it really became an issue. Got myself a pair of those cheap foam ones and have used them repeatedly. Mostly for the long rides, if I'm just going to the Dairy or similar then I don't bother.

One thing I noticed too, I enjoyed riding more, it leaves me in a comfort zone noise wise where I like to think and doodle, often nearly crashing, but the comfort...

[Pixie]

Sometimes I like to push them in till they are just short of rubbing against my brain.
Then I luxuriate in the deep envelope of silence as I waft along the byways.

[boomer]

Theres no pain worse than having the suckers go too far in and not being able to get ya suasages in there to pull em out.....

[Ixion]

Best to just push 'em right through to the other side, and pull them out from there

[boomer]

I tell the mrs that but she's having none of it :crazy:

[Wonko]

One thing I notice with earplugs (and know 'm not alone here) is that I unconciously ride faster with them in. Cutting the wind noise reduces the sensation of speed. Not a problem, but just gotta keep an eye on the speedo until your brain adjusts...


I find that I ride fastert as I can't hear the roar of the engine, so give her a few .more reves untill it sounds closer to right. 120 in 4th sounds right, but it's not

[Gremlin]

Has anyone got custom moulded ones?? I have tried foam ones, but they pop out. I suspect I have odd ears, as I struggle with the earbuds of walkmans/ipods etc as well.

I can't speed up, as only open road illegal speeds quieten my zorst (loud anywhere in the rev range) and then you get the wind noise instead. I could swear I am losing a bit, so need to get it sorted, as the family says I come home talking loudly :mega: :thud:

[Lou Girardin]

Where do you get the Alpines from , keen to get some..cheers:niceone:

AMPS (or other bike shops)

[Mental Trousers]

I got some from a music store. They're great except that the stalks were a bit long so I cut them. Since then they've been fabulous but recently they've started falling out. So I'm thinking of going to get some custom ones made as I think I have the same problem as Gremlin. Obviously I'm not a mutant like Gremlin though :killingme

[Hitcher]

Buy your earplugs from NZ Safety or a similar store. Best selection, best advice, best prices by a suburban kilometre.

[TLDV8]

Buy your earplugs from NZ Safety or a similar store. Best selection, best advice, best prices by a suburban kilometre.

Exactly,or be prepared to pay a 1000% mark up.

fwiw..stay away from the yellow cylinder shaped plugs,EAR brand? they are quite hard and seem to be the ones that give people the most trouble with comfort...... fit any plug as per the instructions,you still see people who just stick them in their ear with most of the plug sticking out.It is also better to give them a few minutes to expand and settle in the ear before putting your helmet on.If they havn't sealed properly the noise can be worse.As a boilermaker/welder and 30 years of having to wear hearing protection on a dayly basis i have found the softer conical plugs from the likes of 3M or similar to work great.It all comes down to personal chice but i think most people once they get used to them never look back fwiw

[beyond]

Ok, seen no hard and fast facts so here ya go:
With a good helmet travelling at 100kmh, wind noise is producing 90 decibels at your earhole.
Maximum safe exposure before damage, is 85 decibels for fifteen minutes.

So remembering that the decibel range increases dramtically for every point, unless you are riding for less than five minutes you are safe without earplugs.

Every kmh increase also increases the decibel range to very damaging levels over 1ookmh.

I for one hated earplugs and have ridden 21,000km's over the last year. I started getting ringing after long rides and when trying to sleep at night.

I bought some Alpine plugs mentioned before from Motomail for $49 and started wearing them. I found they cut wind noise significantly yet allowed you to hear whats going on as I like to know whats happening around me.
I found them uncomfortable after two long trips, but felt more refreshed and not so tired.

Went back to foam compressibles but they cut too much noise. Will go back to the Motomail ones and persevere with these.

SUMMARY: To prevent permanent hearing loss and/or damage, you NEED to werar earplugs, no doubt about it at all.

[imdying]

The bits in your ears that do the hearing don't grow back, and can't yet be fixed :(

[Kendog]

Thanks for the tip off markauckland!! I was thinking just the other day that it would be nice to have earplugs that have earphones in them!! Had a look at the ones you recommended from Etown and just bought some as they are EXACTLY what I wanted! Amazing, I'm just stoked as that kinda thing never happens for me, you know, you have a good idea but no bugger makes them!! (Like leg extenders for when I ride my bike). So cheers mate!
Mrs KD

[madboy]

So, beyond, what are the facts for a 21 kilometre commute (each way) with speeds between 80 and 250k? Perhaps I might need to wear them on the daily commute too! It's just too inconvenient, I might get some ones on a cord or something as I find the foam ones are really great - once you get them in there right.

[MrMelon]

Watch out when replacing earplugs with those earbud headphones. Having music blasting directly into your inner ear for long periods of time while riding will make your ears ring as much (if not more) than riding without earplugs. I'm sure using my mp3 player and those earbuds as much as I did last year has done me some permanent hearing damage. I've stopped using my ex71SL's now since they were rooting my hearing faster than anything else. I just use the EAR yellow soft foam plugs now which you can pick up from protector safety for 40-50c a set. They block out fricken everything but after using them for more than a couple of hours they really accentuate the ringing that's already in your ears.

If you still want to hear well but protect your ears, then i'd go with some of the rubber cone ear plugs. I got a set of etymotic er-20's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx) for $20 which I use when going out and listening to loud music. They'll drop 20db off all frequencies so you can still talk to people and hear clearly. They've got a big plastic knob coming out of the middle of them though so not really the best for using under a helmet, but I'm sure you could get used to them.

[imdying]

I used to use my iPod on my bike, even mounted the belt clip to the top fairing stay. One day I played it at home at the volume I used on the bike.... waay to deafening. After that, I've flagged it, it was doing way too much damage to my hearing :(

[beyond]

Madboy,

That commute at those speeds will mean that when you're old and pushing your Zimmerframe, you'll have two huge ear amplifier horns strapped to the bars on the zimmer and then you might be lucky to hear yourself fart after a night on the Vindaloo. :eek5:

AND: for those who use MP3 players, the volumes required for easy listening when riding at even normal speeds, means that you are directing excess volumes of sound waves down the auditory canal which will severely deform the sound wave catching devices (hairs) which in time will cause excess hearing loss and consequent loss of enjoyment of life. i.e. You will end up staring dumbly at your freinds when they talking to you at less than a level considered to be screaming. :(

[Hitcher]

I wear the grommet-style plugs. The purple-and-yellow ones with a purple cord. These basically eliminate shitloads of noise. I really struggle to hear normal conversation tones wearing these under my helmet. Yet when riding I still hear enough not to feel totally isolated from the world around me. In my experience riding, the only noise you hear over 100kmh is helmet wind noise -- I've left exhaust/induction roar and cam whine long behind at that speed. The grommet plugs are easy to install (no fannying around scrunching things up pre-insertion) and I find them comfortable for long stretches (up to two hours at a time). They also hang round your neck on their cord at service stations, so you don't have to worry about how clean your fingers are or look for somewhere to stash them so they don't blow away.

[imdying]

AND: for those who use MP3 players, the volumes required for easy listening when riding at even normal speeds, means that you are directing excess volumes of sound waves down the auditory canal which will severely deform the sound wave catching devices (hairs) which in time will cause excess hearing loss and consequent loss of enjoyment of life. i.e. You will end up staring dumbly at your freinds when they talking to you at less than a level considered to be screaming. :(This is exactly right. And there's nothing that can be done (yet) to repair this damage :(

[Kendog]

You will end up staring dumbly at your freinds when they talking to you at less than a level considered to be screaming. :([/QUOTE]

Lol, I do that anyway!!:confused: I used to use the normal earplugs on my mp3 player on the bike, and yes found it wayyyyyy too loud when I went through a town at low speed, but if I only have to have the volume probably half of what I used to because these earphones block out the wind noise it sounds like I'd only need the sound to be slightly louder than I would normally have it. I found I had to turn the volume up real loud mainly to be able to hear the music over the wind noise. Will give it a go, if it doesn't work out, well, another set of headphones to add to the collection.
cheers though.

[miSTa]

For those that like their music when riding the maybe the answer for you http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx

By all accounts they're pretty good.

[MrMelon]

Those etymotic earbuds are no better than the sony mdr-ex71's. Cost a fair whack more though! They'll make you just as deaf using them on the bike as any other. You don't get your hearing back once you fuck it up!... just a warning.

[montsta56]

I wouldnt do a long ride without them now. Makes any ride even more enjoyable

[Pixie]

I wear the grommet-style plugs. The purple-and-yellow ones with a purple cord. These basically eliminate shitloads of noise. I really struggle to hear normal conversation tones wearing these under my helmet. Yet when riding I still hear enough not to feel totally isolated from the world around me. In my experience riding, the only noise you hear over 100kmh is helmet wind noise -- I've left exhaust/induction roar and cam whine long behind at that speed. The grommet plugs are easy to install (no fannying around scrunching things up pre-insertion) and I find them comfortable for long stretches (up to two hours at a time). They also hang round your neck on their cord at service stations, so you don't have to worry about how clean your fingers are or look for somewhere to stash them so they don't blow away.
These are the moldex ones.The EAR reusables I tried reduced 96db to 65db,and the moldex are even better,plus are comfortable.No trouble hearing speech either

[Finn]

The Alpine ones are really good for cutting out the wind noise and still allow you to hear other stuff. I just find them really uncomfortable and my right ear seems to spit them out. I've resorted to some cheapies and they work just fine. Still, no matter which brand I try, nothing gets rid of the voices in my head.

[Wonko]

You will end up staring dumbly at your freinds when they talking to you at less than a level considered to be screaming.

Some of my friends I look at dumbly regardless of if I can hear what is coming out of their mouths.

[JohnBoy]

earplugs are the biz... especailly when you got them on tap free from work!!
i use them whenever i can remember, but i dont use them on the track.. like to hear everything when riding at that level

[bugjuice]

I just get the white and coloured ear plugs from Repco. Used to be 50¢ a pair, but they're now a buck a pair.. do the job nicely, until they start looking manky. Then just chuck 'em and get another pair..

Just takes the edge off the wind noise, I find. Makes your head a clearer place to be

[madboy]

Still, no matter which brand I try, nothing gets rid of the voices in my head.Lithium will work a treat... those voices will fade away...