earplugs

[Keen]

Who uses earplugs when they're riding?

I never really considered it, sounds like a pain, especially if you're just going into town or something.... but at the moment I'm doing alot of longer motorway runs so I'm thinking it might be best to have some for these trips.
Do the older bikers on the forum feel that riding bikes has damaged their hearing over the years? what do you reckon, are plugs necessary?
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Mr.Everready]

If I'm out for any more than just a quick run I always wear them.
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[mchaggis]

Plugs are necessary imo, and you will notice the difference in how you feel after a longer run, especially on the motorway. My hearing was being affected by the abnormally loud exhausts on my Hongdou 125, I got bouts of tinitus symptoms, which took longer to go away each time.

Since I've taken to wearing earplugs, no more headaches, and no more loss of hearing.

Laser lite are the ones I like best. You can get them pretty cheaply on Ebay.

https://www.klenall.com.au/images/product/cache/120x120_8959.jpg
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[Lee_367]

[SoND]

Brought some home from work the other day and decided to try them out. Massive difference, no more annoying wind noise
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Go back to bed - You have no rights - "Streetfighters ~ Mainstream motorcycling's crackwhore sister."

[DAF]

I put them in every time. It's only when I sometimes forget them if I'm in a hurry that I really appreciate the difference they make. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Only "side effect" I find is that wax tends to accumulate more in my inner ear canal and so I need to keep a stock of otex ear drops to administer now and again. Then again, that might be because I shove the cotton buds in too far; last time I had my lug holes syringed the nurse gave me stick for using cotton buds.
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2005 Yam Fazer (FZ6-S)

[True Blue]

Try to wear them all the time. The reality is though, I often forget to put them in.
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Past >>>> Honda NSR 125 >>>> Suzuki GSXR 600 K1 >>>> Suzuki GSXR 600 K4 >>>>Kawasaki Z1000 DAF >>>>Suzuki RMZ 250 >>>> Current >>>> KTM Superduke R 1290 >>>>

[mrchips]

Earplugs are for pussys.


You get a race can then have the cheek to put earplugs in.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[kawakid]

Going to work is no more than 30mph, so no.

If doing constant high speeds then yeahh, keep then in my back pack at all time's.

Will stop and put them in if i've forgot.

I've got some of them torpedo green ones as recommended in ride, they are awesome.

Its sooooo weird when you take them out, its like there's noise again.
(I think you know what I mean).
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Kickstart]

Hi

My hearing has definatly suffered from riding bikes. Ear plugs make a hell of a difference. I cannot get on with the foam plugs but the moulded ones work well and are a doddle to put in.

All the best

Keith
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[Walloper]

What you hear from 'A loutish can' does not necessarly cause damage to your ear. More like your street cred.
It is normal wind noise and bike noise that is the danger.

Wear plugs. Or GO DEAF.
No Argument.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[MarkyPancake]

I never used to wear them, but since I started to I now always wear them and it feels/sounds strange without them.

I use soft orange 3M ones and they are very comfortable.

[feef]

I would check "mostly" cos I would for any ride more than a few miles..

Nipping into town, I'd not bother..

commuting, or anything more than 10 mins I would

a
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[kath600]

anything over a 10min ride and going above say 50mph ...

yes definately!!

i don't like getting ear ache and i'd like to keep my hearing for as long as possible
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Seven days without laughter......... makes one weak.

[dainesefreak]

Always wear ear plugs, I've had some custom moulded ones made. I didn't use plugs for a long time and I would definitely say that I've suffered hearing loss because of it. It only seems to be a certain range of sound that I have trouble hearing.

[dodger]

All the time.

The difference they make is incredible.

I use https://www.earplugs.gb.com to get mine. Superb service. Try their trial pack, you get 21 pairs of various styles so you can see what ones are best for you.

I find the Quiet QD1 the best... but I guess it depends on each rider.
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[riichy]

i never used to,,,untill i had to go to thew doctors when i got a buzzing in my left ear.... he said do i ever go never anything noisy for long periods of time.........found out is was my ART race can that was doing it because of the bass and noise of it
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.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

[Razzy]

I have tinitus and I'm 50% deaf in my right ear so it doesn't affect me anyway
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[Walloper]

I couln't resist...... Oi....!

https://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/hearing/noise_hearing.cfm
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Rob W]

I tried them once and didn't get on with them, even though I was doing some A road work. I like to hear the can, not just for the sound of it, but I sort of know what the bikes doing from how it sounds, because at about 1-1500RPM my bike sometimes cuts out if you dont hold the throttle open a little. Wasn't fun filtering through north london trying to keep an eye on my revs constantly because I couldn't hear the bike.
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TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[Walloper]

[mrchips]

[craigs23]

Really should wear them, as my Arai is rather noisy.

I use my ear plugs mostly for when I go to sleep - can hear Dad snoring from 2 rooms away.

[Rob W]

Tried some plugs again today and I really cant get on with them. Not only do I not like not being able to hear the bike, but I actually feel less 'stable' on the bike for some strange reason. Dont think I'll be wearing them again anytime soon, didn't feel very safe with them in for some weird reason.
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TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[TOM M]

I tend to drift off into day-dreamland if i wear them and i dont know why.
I find i cant concentrate as well if i do so i tend not to bother wearing any
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit