Ear Plugs . . . do you use them?

[donaldcc]

  Recent long ride with a couple of friends and every time we take off from gas or stop, I am sort of the slowest in getting ready to leave putting in ear plugs.  I always use them.  Had Cobra 6 into 6 for a couple years and now have a couple of sets of OEM pipes that are not as loud, but still use the plugs EVERY time.  (thinking about modifying one of the OEMs and trying to decide what I want)

  wondering about other riders.  neither of my friends use them.  Mine are just the cheap foam ones that you squeeze down and put in ear canal, but they work great.

[art]

Once in a while ,if I'm on a long trip or heading into the wind.I like the sound of the valk but sometimes.The one thing that bugs me is being stuck in traffic with a loud deisel pickup next to me.Damm rattletraps.

[Disco]

I got a pair of the molded earplugs right after I got my bike.  It had 2bros 6x6 pipes when I bought it.  Even with unmolested oem pipes, I used them all the time.  Now that I've gone from a 3/4 Arai to a full-face Shoei, I don't always use them, but like it better when I do.    

[Steve K (IA)]

Every time I wear my 3/4 helmet.  I use the green foam ones.

[Momz]

What?
I have trouble hearing you!

[Moonshot_1]

  Recent long ride with a couple of friends and every time we take off from gas or stop, I am sort of the slowest in getting ready to leave putting in ear plugs.  I always use them.  Had Cobra 6 into 6 for a couple years and now have a couple of sets of OEM pipes that are not as loud, but still use the plugs EVERY time.  (thinking about modifying one of the OEMs and trying to decide what I want)

  wondering about other riders.  neither of my friends use them.  Mine are just the cheap foam ones that you squeeze down and put in ear canal, but they work great.

I guess I don't understand why you would use ear plugs to protect your ears from the sound of your pipes but yet subject the unprotected general public to the same. Perhaps the pipes are too loud. But the sound is exiting to the rear, so going down the highway the sound of the pipes should be fairly negligible

But the real problem is wind noise. Particularly when riding with no helmet, half helmet or variation thereof. This is when the ear protection is most needed.

Generally I don't use plugs. But if on a long ride on a windy day, I've been known to use them.

[Valker]

I use these: www.earplugsonline.com and they are the best, most comfortable, quietest, and fastest to install that I have found. A box of 6 pairs will last me two years.

And installed correctly, these only go on the outside of your ear, not down in the canal itself.

[Canuck]

I use the cheap foam ones 90% of the time when riding.  I have OEM pipes and wear a HJC modular helmet.  I wear them to keep the wind noise down and find they actually make my headset sound better for listening to tunes. Sometimes I'll strap my helmet on and realize I forgot to put them in and pull the lid off again to insert them making me the last to take off, but well worth it.  Been thinking about getting a custom set made.

[Bob E.]

I don't wear them.  I just can't stand having anything in my ears.  My ears bug me enough inside my helmet as it is.  I don't even like those earbuds that go in your ears, and I can just barely stand using the ipod earphones that just sit in the outside of your ear.  About the only time I use ear plugs is when I go shooting.

[steve 3054]

I have the  molding ones, paid around $50 I think, use them on long trips!!!

[Willow]

I always have them with me.  I sometimes wear them for wind noise when wearing my half shell. 

[sheets]

Yes, with the half helmet to kill the wind noise . I don't use them when wearing the full face.

[NITRO]

I always use my custom molded ear plug that my audiologist made for me during a visit. It goes in quickly and is the most comfortable plug I've used. I only have the one plug since I can't hear out of the other ear anyway.

[musclehead]

only when shooting 

[john]

            every ride               

[flatsixrider]

On any ride of length, mine are in.  Custom fitted plugs done at a cycle show a few years back.  Some of the best money I have spent.

[Toledo Mark]

I wear them even when I am washing it.

[WamegoRob]

I never found any I liked better than these... so I keep a pair in the bag.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-MILITARY-EAR-PLUGS-OLIVE-CASE-/400293280623

[BF]

To block the wind noise, I've used plugs when I'm in full wind.....such as when I have the short 4" shield on.   Otherwise, no, I don't use them as I usually have a taller shield on most of the time. 

[texaninsouthfl]

  Recent long ride with a couple of friends and every time we take off from gas or stop, I am sort of the slowest in getting ready to leave putting in ear plugs.  I always use them.  Had Cobra 6 into 6 for a couple years and now have a couple of sets of OEM pipes that are not as loud, but still use the plugs EVERY time.  (thinking about modifying one of the OEMs and trying to decide what I want)

  wondering about other riders.  neither of my friends use them.  Mine are just the cheap foam ones that you squeeze down and put in ear canal, but they work great.

I guess I don't understand why you would use ear plugs to protect your ears from the sound of your pipes but yet subject the unprotected general public to the same. Perhaps the pipes are too loud. But the sound is exiting to the rear, so going down the highway the sound of the pipes should be fairly negligible

But the real problem is wind noise. Particularly when riding with no helmet, half helmet or variation thereof. This is when the ear protection is most needed.

Generally I don't use plugs. But if on a long ride on a windy day, I've been known to use them.

... because the "general public" isn't sitting right next to the exhaust for extended periods of time.

I do agree with you about the wind noise though.... that's the reason I wear custom molded ear plugs on any ride longer than a couple of miles.... and ALWAYS on the highway. I have un-baffled Cobras and the exhaust noise doesn't bother me but the constant beating of the wind just wears me out.

[donaldcc]

I guess I don't understand why you would use ear plugs to protect your ears from the sound of your pipes but yet subject the unprotected general public to the same. Perhaps the pipes are too loud. But the sound is exiting to the rear, so going down the highway the sound of the pipes should be fairly negligible

But the real problem is wind noise. Particularly when riding with no helmet, half helmet or variation thereof. This is when the ear protection is most needed.

Generally I don't use plugs. But if on a long ride on a windy day, I've been known to use them.

   i use ear plugs to protect my ears.  you should also.  mostly i subject my noise to cactus and little traveled mtn roads so the unprotected general public will probably be pretty safe with my noise output.  

[Tundra]

Yes, all the time. With and without a helmet.
Almost every ride people question me about them.
I always have extras in my windshield pouch and hand them out to the curious. Most think I'm crazy, If I leave home without them I'll turn around to get them.
Me likes

[Wetrudgeon]

We always wear them.  We are a bit hearing impaired and mean to protect the hearing we have left.

We trudge on.

[doubletee]

I wear the cheap foam inserts on longer rides, mostly to protect against wind noise.

[MAD6Gun]

 I used to use ear plugs on long trips. I have baffled Viking pipes. They are not that loud but have a drown at highway speeds. Buts its the wind noise that is the problem. Even with a full face its still there.  Now I use Shure E2C ear bugs with my GPS as a music player.  Music makes a long trip go faster.

[Hoser]

I use earbuds hooked to my MP3, gots to have my music!  Hoser 

[ryord]

Yes, I use them all the time when I ride, I also use them when going into just about any business  establishment to keep  the 70-80s rock music from down. Haaa

[John Schmidt]

Around town...no, but on the highway for extended periods, most definitely. Got some molded plugs a few years ago that work fine, but still carry some of the foam ones as back up in case I should lose the others.

[fubar606]

Only when I ride 2 up

[elpaso jo]

I tried ear plugs, and I would wear them but I cant keep them in. When i have them in and put on the helmet, they fall out, That bugs me

[YoungPUP]

Full face:no,  Half shell/windshield: only on long rides if I don't use the mp3,  Halfshell/no windshield: Have to or I'd be deaf before I get out of my neighborhood.

1999 Std  with Hondaline windshield  and stock I/s exhaust

[elpaso jo]

I was riding through a pretty long tunnel recently, first time going through it, it was so noisy I thought a train had derailed,above me.
So im on the hunt for the little piggies, for the exhaust that is. I will do without the ear plugs and do like you, buy an mp 3 and wear the ear plugs in the house!!

[solo1]

I have a hearing loss. I always wear them.

[OKIERYDER]

         I wear hearing aids, when I ride I take them out. No ear plugs ,don't need them. I have a tall shield turn stereo up to 16-17 or 18 on highway 80 mph all I hear is good music from 4 speakers. Sometimes bad hearing can be a benefit.
 
  You ask me to do what? "I'm sorry Honey I didn't hear you"
  Honestly, I would give anything to hear normal.
  I have no idea what total silence is, have 8 different ring tones in my head from high pitch to low tone hums at all times.

       If you have good hearing protect it wear plugs, you do not want to be where I"am.  75% loss in both ears.

[Gryphon Rider]

I always have a few pair in my saddlebag.  I've mostly used them when trying to sleep in my tent at motorcycle rallies.  ???

[PhredValk]

Never. IS windshield and stereo. Helmet speakers, yes.
Fred.

[fudgie]

Never. But I do notice noise is louder in a helmet or sockcap.