thoughts on ear plugs..?
 

Hi, just wondering what ear plugs you guys recommend? Foam/ custom made..? It's all part of my mission to achieve a relaxed ride on the Tenere! Steve

I never wore ear plugs until about ten years ago and I, like a lot of others, regret not doing so from the age of 17. But then again, at that time, I rode a 350LC like a lunatic in DMs, jeans and a paddock jacket! Ear plugs just didn't enter the equation! ;)

Since I became a little more responsible, I have had a couple of pairs of custom made motorcycle specific ear plugs; one set done by Ultimate Ear (�60 + �30 for impressions), and the other from Specsavers believe it or not (�120 including impressions). However, I have lost one plug from each pair! Here lies the main problem (other than cost) of custom ear plugs - it's very easy to lose a lot of money very quickly! But they are comfortable.

I now use the slightly more expensive universal ear plugs. They are a sort of louvred rubber or silicone design and have a solid core. They look a bit like this:

http://www.allearplugs.com/images/pr...al-Tablets.jpg

You can get them for between �10 - �20 a pair from loads of places on the web, substantially more than foam ones, but a lot less than custom. I've tried foam and custom and I found the above to be the best compromise between cost and effectiveness.

Although you can get this type of plug for different environments, I prefer the "musicians" versions to the "motorcyclists" version because they let a bit more ambient sound through (personal preference). Generally motorcycle plugs are about -30db and musician's plugs are around -20db.

Hope this helps? At the end of the day, any ear plug is better than none at all!

I've had a a couple of pairs of custom plugs made for both myself and my other half but only the smallest amount of buffeting loosens them just a fraction and both struggled although great for working if your in a noisey inviroment.

Went back to Max1 as the Heath and safey guy in another life I've tried them all and got someone else to pay.

Thanks guys...RD350 eh Pleiades, I was a KH triple man (boy!)myself and also clad in jeans, converse and leather jacket. My arch rival was a guy on an LC 350 ..just glad we survived those crazy but brilliant times!. And I think the most ear damage came from a Z900 with the meanest Yoshi 4 into 1. Earplugs were never a consideration back then but from about 6 years ago when I first tried them I now wouldn't be without them. I have always used cheap foam ones, but they sometimes seem to be creating there own noise..if that makes sense. I shall get the ones you pictured tomorrow and try them. Thanks again Steve

ear plugs
 

Hi I used to use the foam type of ear plugs because of my job but found they used to cause me problems due to pushing ear wax back into my ears eventualy you need to have your ears syringed.

Does anybody know if there any small earmuffs on the market that you can wear under a helmet.?

I use this type of thing:

https://www.cromwell.co.uk/EAR9586610V

Easy to fit into your lughole, washable and cheap.

I generally keep the cord and tie round my neck when the helmet comes off, so they rarely get lost. You may find them more comfortable if you trim the plug so less sticks out of your ear.

Personal choice I know regarding comfort & fit- anything to avoid risk of tinnitus.

Good luck with your aural quest.

I've tried various,I even use the silicon swimmers plugs you see on ebay. These are made into a ball and pressed onto the ear rather than in the ear. A bit like you's use for a mould.They work OK

:)

.

I've tried the DIY plug sets and didn't like them in the slightest, i always use the foam type earplugs, mostly because i can get them for free at work. But i've never had a issue having to get my ears syringed from using them and i've been using them for years now.

I use these.
http://www.pinlock.nl/motor/nl/earplugs/

And i'm very happy with them

While I haven't used earplugs, I have used a few sets of ear phones that do very well in suppressing some of the engine music only they move and can fall out easily mid ride.
Has anyone tried these?? MyEers
I have also found that using a neck warmer pulled over my head before fitting my helmet has made a huge difference in long distance riding. Not only is the wind noise suppressed but the helmet fits incredibly snug and prevents sweat and oils from getting into the helmet lining and just throw in the wash after each ride.
http://shop.adventuremoto.com.au/med...neckwarmer.jpg
Still protects the neck and throat from bugs and bees etc and I haven't found it to be too warm in our hot climate.
Matt.

I've used custom made plugs, with motorcycle specific filters and they were fine at first but did have some problems.

They would just touch the helmet lining (Aria Tour-X) and I'd get a vibrating noise from the wind on the lid,
After 4 hours or so they would become uncomfortable and I'd have to swap them for foam ones.
Music would sound odd, as some of the notes would be blocked by the filters.
Eventually as the ear canal changed (which it does over time - apparently) they became pretty useless and I switched to SNR30 corded foam plugs that cost a few pence each (if you buy in bulk). Wear them for a day/ride then dispose of them and open a new pair. There is a nack to fitting them, but once you've got it it's easy.

I've tried many types over the past few years and found that any with hard centers or parts that stand proud of the ear cause irritation where they touch the helmet lining - so the foam ones are firm favorites

Having used numerous types of earplugs, plus a professionally moulded pair that got too uncomfortable after an hours use, I can highly recommend these.

http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/max

Very soft in the ear. I also use them when sleeping off nights.
I buy mine at the local bike shop but you should easily find them on tinterweb.

Thanks for all the good advice from everyone on this subject....there doesn't seem much to recommend the expensive custom built ones....for �120 ish I would want perfection! , seems to me they are too easily dislodged. I bought some reusable Auritech one's today, similar to the Pinlock, for �20. And a box of Hero's foam plugs turned up that I'd ordered online and forgotten about. ...I have ear plugs literally coming out of my ears Steve

If you don't like having things pushed in you ear like myself then heres a cheap mod for your helmet to quieten things down a bit on long stretches on the bike. Take 1 ( preferably washed ) sock folded neatly & place it in the ear void of your lid.

Hi Desert Racer. ...are you telling me to put a sock in it...? Steve

Yup I did, it was a good test today as it was pretty windy on the way to work this evening. The socks cut a lot of the noise out. I would recommend ankle socks as any longer fills the air gap to much then squashes your ear.
You may or may not also wish to know that I cut up some boxer shorts ( never worn ones ) & tucked it in under the chin of my lid to stop the wind blast that comes up through & dries out your eyeballs after a while. I'll try posting a picture by phone while I'm sitting here waiting for a barge.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psbbxkhsa8.jpg[/URL]}"]http://{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252 {\fonttbl\f0\fnil\fcharset0 .HelveticaNeueInterface-Regular;} {\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;\red77\green77 \blue77;\red255\green255\blue255;} \deftab720 \pard\pardeftab720\sl440\partightenfactor0 \f0\fs34 \cf2 \cb3 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 \outl0\strokewidth0 \strokec2 http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psbbxkhsa8.jpg}[/URL]

The best cheap foam ones I've found are the Moldex Spark, I've done lots of research, trying loads of different ones but these seem to suit me the best, they squash up really thin making them easy to put in, and seem to stay in!