Coping with motorway riding..?

[A100man]

Just returned from a 400 mile round trip most of it on motorway which I find dispiriting, boring and noisy (mainly wind).

I use the silicone tree type earpugs which are quite effective but even so the wind noise is still pretty awful on an unfaired bike (old XJ550) at 70-80 mph.

I have a degree of tinnitus which was probaly acquired from metal concerts, angle grinding, and bike riding and I'd prefer it not to get any worse.

Who has hints and tips to make motorway riding trips (50 miles or more)
more tolerable?
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[MarJay]

Earplugs. Bike with a fairing.

That's pretty much it.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[A100man]

[to v or not to v]

avoid motorways, take the scenic route.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[jeffyjeff]

I use E.A.R. foam earplugs, which work very well for me. They can be washed 4 or 5 times (in a sock with the regular laundry) before their effectiveness begins to degrade. A box of 200 pairs lasts me 10 - 12 years.

As for motorway riding tips; one strategy I use, when I observe something that moves me emotionally, is to bark like a dog inside my helmet. The louder the better. I surprise myself sometimes just how much better that makes me feel. ...Of course, if you are not a dog person, such antics might not work for you. I recommend that you give it a try.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[blurredman]

I have stuffed wet tissue paper in to completely eliminate sound but really, I'm not sure that is safe for your ear (?) nor for the fact that you can't hear potential dangers.

But in my touring and/or courier days, after several days of riding 500-600 miles a day, I did this and serenity in the complete silence was absolutely completely amazing.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 39k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 50k.

[A100man]

[MarJay]

So it may not *seem* like a fairing makes a difference, but trust me it does. It doesn't really manifest itself as lower noise exactly, nor more comfort exactly... It's more like you can go a lot faster before you notice the noise or the comfort. On my GSX-S1000F 70mph feels like walking pace. on my Street Triple it feels like 90mph.

I use Howard Leight Max Lite earplugs. They have a high attenuation of 34dB which may be too much for many people, but I've been using them for years and they cost under £20 for a box of 200 pairs. I've just fitted an intercom to my Shoei though, so I think I'll need something with a slightly less severe attenuation, or at least better filtering between high frequency and low frequency sounds. I've just ordered some Alpine Motosafe earplugs which have a 20dB attenuation, so they may be better with the intercom, watch this space.

To be honest, motorway riding is dull as ditchwater. I have made my commute bearable by listening to podcasts. Music doesn't work as well as I constantly want to skip tracks and fast music makes me ride fast. I've found podcasts to be ideal though. They keep me engaged enough to not be bored, but don't distract me from the task of riding, nor encourage me to do stuff I shouldn't do.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[WD Forte]

Fairing, fairing, fairing, but not some sexy sporty wee thing.

I rode a CX from here to Edinburgh with a too low fairing and it
was feckin torture as all the wind was being deflected right into my helmet.
Later experiments showed me that a screen or screen and flip up deflector that was at the level of my nose so i could just peek over it
made long motorway runs so much more pleasant.
I could cruise close to a ton on the beemer with this setup and still not have to close my visor.

This is how I have my scooty setup too, admittedly I dont do long motway runs on it,
but it still makes things more comfy in colder weather and helps divert flies and insex too.
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bikers smell of wee

[DaddyStu]

Just go faster and get it over with

...or plod along at 50-60 if it gets too noisy for you. Added benefit for me is the Tracer returns near 70 mpg at these speeds.

My daily commute is about 50 miles of M4 - waste of rubber. 6000 miles and my lovely Bridgstone GTs are down to 2mm in the centre.
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Daddystu
Zontes 125-G1 (part-ex'd). Yamaha Tracer 700.

[duke748]

Macks silicone earplugs.

You mold them into your ear ( not the canal ) and they seal it up a treat

[Freddyfruitba...]

[P.]

Screen really helped reduce the noise for me, my R1200 has an adjustable electric screen (its so good) that just goes up when you fancy and it really throws the wind away from you and the noise almost disappears. You do have to be seen riding a BMW, but its worth it.

[jeffyjeff]

[t121anf]

On my old Shoei helmet you could get a skirt that went around the bottom, it helped a lot with reducing noise levels. Made the helmet “harder” to put on but was worth it.

Never bothered to refit to my newer helmet, but I have noticed I find riding noisier than ever.

[spnorm]

I find my company car by far the best way to undertake a motorway journey I avoid motorways like the plague on the bike

[A100man]

[WD Forte]

Bikers... skirts...

You is all poofs!
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bikers smell of wee

[A100man]

[panrider_uk]

Earpeace plugs are good with inserts so you can customise the sound level you let through

Also a headset in your helmet so you can listen to music.
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Current bikes: Hondas - Forza 750, ST1100 Pan European

[t121anf]

[panrider_uk]

[sickpup]

Ear plugs and a good helmet that fits.

Shoei Neotec 3 helmet is very quiet due to the all enclosing fabric.

Helmet pelmet or wind jammers work well on full face helmets to cut noise as well.

[A100man]

[WD Forte]

Pelmets eh?
This one looks nice,
What about this one?

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffrintonframes.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FTraditional-Pelmet.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=3a250275eb7fe9e5bc3ea35bc07480d3131ce2690642c3625c212db5446482d0
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bikers smell of wee