Earplugs or whisper kit (or both)?

[BMWST?]

I have a Raid 2 which I think is crap and would be concerned that a whisper kit would further reduce an already poor airflow through the helmet enhancing the fogging properties in inclement weather. I'm considering a new Shoei Qwest as these are touted as being 40 or 60% quieter than the Raid2.

Another cheap alternative to the Whisper kit would be a scarf....not so comfortable in Summer but!

interesting ,i was looking at Shoeis but i found the raid fit me better than the next model up so i bought it!

[NZsarge]

Ear Man Pro is the handle of the guy hear on KB, he lurks around Kapiti. I have had a set from both Plugs 4 Lugz and Ear Man Pro, I prefered Ear Man Pro's product, found them more comfortable. But both would be fine if fitted plugs are the way you want to go. IMHO they are indeed the way to go...

[banditrider]

I've got Plugs for lugs but as someone has mentioned, they do tend to hurt your ears a little if worn for long periods of time day after day. In terms of noise reduction & comfort I reckon you cannot go past the cheap disposable foam plugs - I always try to have some with me for when my ears start getting sore from the custom plugs.

I also have a whisper kit on my Shoei XR-1000 and while it helps with the noise I would always recommend plugs as well.

[davebullet]

Since you are in wellington - See david @ kiwiplugs.co.nz.

He's based in Waikanae. He knows his ears!

I just got a pair made on the spot by him. Some of the fancier ones (with headphones etc... )take time, but the basic model ($65) he does on the spot and you ride away with them. Guaranteed for 7 years.

Much better than earbuddies which I used previously. a) the new plugs block out noise better. b) they'll last longer. and they also feel very comfortable since they are specifically contoured to your ear. I found the ear buddies gave me a sore canal (of the ear variety people) after a couple of hours.

I've just finished a 8 hour stint with the new babies - ears feel fine!

Highly recommended.

[Flip]

Does anybody in Chch do these custom plugs?

[Gremlin]

I have a whisper kit on my Multitec but would prefer plugs if they were a decent fit. The Whisper kit makes for discomfort in summer, other than that it is OK

I have the multitec with whisper kit and still have my XR1000 with whisper kit. I had to stop wearing the chin guard on the XR1000 as the opening was so small with the whole kit in, I struggled like hell to get my head in (picture a helmet on top of head with person dancing around hanging on the helmet with both arms )

The multitec is great, as you can flip the front up and get the helmet on easily, then close, allowing the whole whisper kit to be fitted. Haven't found any venting issues, the top vent works better than the XR1000's. The included pinlock is a must for cold nights etc.

Where do you get hold of this auragel stuff? For my 2nd pair of plugz 4 lugz, I had them trimmed down, so they stuck out less, and was thinking I needed a 3rd pair, but I'll try this auragel stuff first...

[Ghost_Bullet]

Does anybody in Chch do these custom plugs?

Could be worth a try? Close to bottom.


http://www.earmold.com.au/earmold-australia-agents.html

[Spuds1234]

Does anybody in Chch do these custom plugs?

Any hearing clinic should be able to make a pair of plugs.

You may find that you have to go somewhere a bit more expensive to get ones that are molded to work with head phones.

Also they will be about $120 (thats what mine cost last time I got some).

[NZsarge]

Since you are in wellington - See david @ kiwiplugs.co.nz.

This is the chap known as Ear Man Pro here on KB but you did a much better job of explaining things.

He's based in Waikanae. He knows his ears!

I just got a pair made on the spot by him. Some of the fancier ones (with headphones etc... )take time, but the basic model ($65) he does on the spot and you ride away with them. Guaranteed for 7 years.

Much better than earbuddies which I used previously. a) the new plugs block out noise better. b) they'll last longer. and they also feel very comfortable since they are specifically contoured to your ear. I found the ear buddies gave me a sore canal (of the ear variety people) after a couple of hours.

I've just finished a 8 hour stint with the new babies - ears feel fine!

Highly recommended.

Yeah I agree, really comfortable.... if you don't loose them....

[Spyke]

if you want the best disposable you should get these, mix of bees wax lanolin, and cotton.

[KoroJ]

interesting ,i was looking at Shoeis but i found the raid fit me better than the next model up so i bought it!

The Raid 2 is very comfortable (for my noggin anyway) but it doesn't have rear vents. Therefore, to get any draw through the helmet one needs the top vent open, which is bloody noisy and allows water in when it's raining. On a long wet ride, I end up with a cold &/or wet patch on the top of my head as well as water dripping down the inside of the visor.

The Qwest seems just as snug, but has better venting, the 'pull-in' on the last click of the visor is probably why it's supposedly quieter and it comes with a pinlock. I've only tried one on and not test ridden them though, but it looks like that with the airplugs, and I'll be able to turn the volume down a bit more.

[slofox]

I use plugz4lugz. They give me better attenuation than any other plug I have used and I can wear them for hours at a time in perfect comfort. I am a little surprised that some posts on here report discomfort - not my experience at all. I usually spit on 'em to get them to fit easily - always available (unless you have recently scared shit out of yourself with your lunatic riding...)

I have a Raid II with a whisper kit which I find pretty good. Probably a little quieter than my Arai. Pity it doesn't fit as well as the Arai...

[Highlander]

Strange one this. I've tried quite a few different types of plugs and have never been happier than when I got a set made by Plugz4Lugz. Could ride all day in them and never had an issue. Extremely comfortable and great at blocking the noise....

Me too, I have 2 set from Plugz4lugz, one plain that I sleep in when working nights and use sometimes on the bikes, one with the speakers fitted so I can listen to music.

... plugz 4 lugz is also very good, but I've found they start hurting when riding in excess of 1000km at a time

Hadn't noticed the 1000km ear hurt, usually by that point my butt and shoulders and pretty much everything else is starting to hurt and fatigue is setting in maybe I just don't notice the ears hurting. Hats off to you 1600km day guys, fantastic effort I'm not prepared to try (yet).

[Gremlin]

After using the XR1000 over the weekend, a helmet definitely plays a part, ie, ear space. Not enough in the XR1000 (remembering both helmets have speakers set up) means the ears would normally flatten against the side of your head. Pain in the XR came within 500km...

Because the plugs are in, and are solid compared to the ear, the ear cannot flex like normal, and this is where the pain comes from. Thinking I might speak to them again on a 3rd pair, see just how small we can make some, as the alternative is not wearing them, so some sort of hearing protection is desirable.

I still believe plugz are the best, just trying to find the right fit (har har) for my requirements.

[robboh]

I have got a whisper kit somewhere for my Shoei xr1000. I tried it once and found it almost impossible to get into the helmet with it & plugz4lugz together. I must try it again now that my helmet is looser. (My theory is that cheekpads on helmets should have you chewing your inside cheeks if you open your mouth when helmets is new).

I've got the speaker version for trips plus straight plugs for more serious stuff. Missus has them as well for sleeping after night shifts and we both used them at f1 in Melbourne last year. Great product in my opinion. If they are uncomfortable or aren't attenuating noise the u aren't putting them in properly or else you need a fitting review. Obviously you need room for them (or any ear plug) in your helmet. One reason I like shoeis and hate arais, shoeis have room for my ears. Arais just fold em up and never feel comfortable (for me; you either are typically a Shoei head or an Arai head :-) )

After that, foam plugs would be my suggestion. If you can't get these in your ears and keep them in, then like 90% of people I see using them, you aren't fitting them right. You need to roll the entire barrel of the plug down very tight and skinny. Then lick the tip (or use gel) and QUICKLY insert. Most people are too slow getting them into their ears before they expand again. And if thats the case, they fall out and dont do jack all in terms of attenuation. Previous comment about pulling earlobe back with arm over head very valid here too.

You should feel them slide right into the canal, but not to point where they touch the edge of your inner ear (that hurts and is uncomfortable longer term). With most foams the flat part of the plug is almost flush with the edge of the front of my ear lobe (the bit closest to your nose). Then the next bit is important. Keep your finger holding against the flat bit until the plug expands fully and seats in your ear. NOW you can let go. This will take several secs for a new pair or else anything up to 30 secs for a used pair. At that point it should almost form a vacumn and be quite hard to dislodge. I useually then tug on them slightly to get rid of any positive pressure which might have formed as the plug expanded.

When an ear plug is properly in place you should have a very different sound coming from the world and be able to hear yourself eating VERY audibly. It's not just quieter, but almost like u are in a vacumn. Biggest errors I see are not rolling tight enough, or pointy enough, or down the plug far enough. And then not getting them in the hole quick enough, and then not holding them long enough to expand properly.

HTH
Rob