Ear Plugs? Opinions please...

**Fatjim** · 2nd January 2006, 08:17

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** · 2nd January 2006, 08:50

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 2nd January 2006, 12:44

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** · 2nd January 2006, 13:57

Originally Posted by Fatjim

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** · 2nd January 2006, 14:40

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

) 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** · 2nd January 2006, 14:44

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** · 2nd January 2006, 14:49

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**skidMark** · 2nd January 2006, 14:54

found them....

http://www.etown.co.nz/store/viewIte...idProduct=1574

**pritch** · 2nd January 2006, 16:28

Originally Posted by markauckland

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** · 2nd January 2006, 16:57

Originally Posted by pritch008

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** · 2nd January 2006, 17:19

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** · 2nd January 2006, 17:21

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

**Highlander** · 2nd January 2006, 17:25

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/...17-10046-10060