Just wondering if anybody wears ear plugs when they ride, I know there not the coolest thing in the world, but with my Arai R4 which is pretty loud, I'll likely end up buying some form of ear protection befor I hurt my hearing any more.

Any suggestions, and where do you get'em (over the net or local)

Thanks

Walgreens or Walmart

this is what I use Howard Leight (http://www.howardleight.com/SportGoods/index.html)

I got them orange foam ones that are disposable, it's about $2 for a package of 10 (or set of 5), and it usually last me about 3~4 month or so...

got them at my local sporting goods store...

Originally posted by CrazyCanuk:
Just wondering if anybody wears ear plugs when they ride, I know there not the coolest thing in the world, but with my Arai R4 which is pretty loud, I'll likely end up buying some form of ear protection befor I hurt my hearing any more.

Any suggestions, and where do you get'em (over the net or local)

Thanks<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I had an HJC CL-12 and I didn't need earplugs, but on the long haul I did notice that it seemed like I was just at a concert. I got a Shoei X-tec now which is quieter. I was gonna buy an Arai, but i have heard they were too damn loud. I mean how far are we gonna go to protect ourselves.

It doesn't matter which helmet you have. None of them are "quiet" enough to protect your hearing in the long run.
Always wear earplugs. They protect at different frequencies than the so-called "quiet" helmet will.
Any earplug is better than none. I mostly wear el-cheapo ones. Walmart. Home Depot or whatever.

Definately wear earplugs...you can actually hear more without the windnoise. Go for the Cheapo WalMart ones, they work great. You can always spend $80 on a custom-made set from your audiologist, but that is your call.

I wear them sometimes for long trips. It makes me less tired... kinda weird. Anyhows, the most comfortable one I've tried so far is the yellow mushroom tip with blue plastic stem type. I've had several "noisy" jobs so I've tried a few different types while riding. All other times, I prefer to hear my gixxer purr. I heard that wind noise was the most damaging.

97'6... stock can
87' yamaha radian with a REALLY loud kerker full system!

I definitley wear them every time I get on my bike. It is so much nicer and I feel more comfortable and am able to concentrate better. It will also save your hearing in the long run.

I just use the El Cheapo kind but it's nice if they are connected to each other by string or whatever. It is easier to keep track of them. When I'm done riding I just wind them arong the bars so they are there and ready for the next ride.

My X-Tec is the quietest helmet I've had, but I still wear ear plugs on the highway. It makes the ride much more enjoyable. (And you can hear "normally" after you stop and take them out.)

For short city trips, I don't wear them though.

I used to HATE earplugs.. I tried every kind of disposible earplugs it seemed, and they all made my head feel like a vacuum was in there! Then I had a conversation with Greg Paulson from Skorpion racing.. He told me about their Custom fitted earplugs. This is what I have now.. What a difference. Not only did I lose the distraction of hearing other bikes around me, and the wind noise.. But I can also hear my bike better (at speed).. I can still hear people talking to me through them..

Definitely get some ear plugs. My buddy who works in a warehouse is hooking me up with some industrial ones. I'll try to post the brand when I get them.

Originally posted by GIXXERIFIC:
I definitley wear them every time I get on my bike. It is so much nicer and I feel more comfortable and am able to concentrate better. It will also save your hearing in the long run.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Me too, I use rubber reusables as they stay in better, well do for me anyway. images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

Originally posted by GIXXERIFIC:
I definitley wear them every time I get on my bike. It is so much nicer and I feel more comfortable and am able to concentrate better. It will also save your hearing in the long run.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Me too, I use rubber reusables as they stay in better, well do for me anyway. images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

Coyn, i am the same as you, i hate the things, they never sit in there comfortably, and more of a distraction then listening to wind for hrs on end, i think i might have to also get some custom ones made up.. since that cost a bit, it not high on priorities at the moments, there after service, tyres for both bikes etc images/icons/frown.gif

I have some of the foam ones from work and they are fine. Then I have some custom fit (work buys me a new set every year and I just bring the home) and they are much better. They only seem to cut out the high pitch noise and you can hear just about normaly.

WHAT DID YOU SAY images/icons/tongue.gif images/icons/tongue.gif
I CUNT HEAR YOU

For those of you with some sense log on to www.webbikeworld.com (http://www.webbikeworld.com) and peruse till you find the section on earplugs. My earplugs are as much a part of my riding equipment as a great helmet and the best ass leathers. If you get some get the 33dba reduction rated ones. That windnoise will damage your ears. Don't ask me how it is to hear like a 70 year old man at the age of 33 in my left ear. That is because I was a gun nut for years from about 5yrs old to current and I never bothered with earplugs till the damage was done at about age 20. Wish I could have my hearing back but you can save yours so do it. I have a hard time in conversations because I miss things at high frequency. It is a real PITA! The webbikeworld site is very interesting with a ton of useful info on all sorts of things from tires and changing them to clothing etc....check it out. images/icons/smile.gif

I use earplugs that I use to augment my shooting hearing protection. They look like little orange plastic butt plugs.

They are easy to hear people around you and block out most noises well.