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ChoccieMuffin · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject: Do you wear earplugs?

Normallly I don't, but have heard that other bikers swear by 'em. Yesterday I discovered why.

Went out for an evening ride to Gillingham and back, but as my own MOT has run out and my son's bike was sitting there looking sad and neglected, I decided to take his for a run to charge up battery etc. as I said I'd take it out for him while he's away. I've got an XV535, real sit-up-lean-back kinda thing, his is a GPZ. While it's not an extreme sports bike it's still a very different riding position. I discovered with a shock that if you tuck yourself in behind the screen a bit, the helmet noise increases massively until it's quite uncomfortable, something I've never experienced on a cruiser. Fortunately I happened to have a pair of earplugs in my bag so stopped and popped them in, much more bearable but very weird.

Have to say, I didn't really enjoy the experience, either the sensory deprivation thing with the earplugs, the scrunched up riding position (must cut down on the pies, my leathers were cutting me in half!) or the general 'feel' of a bike with a higher centre of gravity. So I'm just going to have to fix my exhaust and get my own bike through its MOT so I can get back out on a 'proper' bike!

CHILLI · 202.9mph Raspberry Ripple Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 7857

Wish I'd worn some today - bloody headache I have now is killing me
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redrat · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject:

Hi CM - apparently ear plugs protect from the noise you cannot hear which does the most damage and the nerves that are damaged after prolonged exposure never recover - information was gleaned from environmental health source on noise measurement.

Tinks · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject:

Always have them in Smile

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crazy horse · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:25 pm Post subject:

Have a look at this.............Dunno how biased this is or if this site is designed to sell you something but may be worth reading.
http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_motorcyclefacts.shtml
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Tango · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:17 pm Post subject:

Nope never wear em...

AJ · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

What?

I love the noise.

Like all the other things we love, it will ultimately hurt us.
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moriwaki · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject:

I should really. Damaged hearing racing karts in the 80's. Having a 100cc engine reving to 16000 rpm by my right shoulder has left me with tinitus. Have tried ear plugs but, like CH, found it a little strange.
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V · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

I really should but tend to forget! Motorway riding I have in the past. Must get into the habit though

wildman · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject:

Funnily enough, I went for a hearing test on friday and was told that there is a pronounced dip at the 4000Khz mark. most likely caused by prolonged exposure to noise, such as when riding a motorcycle. I was then asked if I wore earplugs and when I said no, was advised to do so in future. Bit annoying really cos I gave away the 100 odd pairs of earplugs i had when my doctor told me not to wear then as I am prone to ear infections!!
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Jay1 · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject:

Sometimes do if I'm going to be out for a while or know that there will be some motorway riding. Don't bother most of the time for the commute as it only takes me 20 minutes and I rearely get about about 40

Tusky · Pie Dipper Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549

Always remember once the lid is on and I am riding up the road Embarrassed

I am trying to remember but just need to get in the routine Wink

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Flintstone · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject:

I always wear them, that's why if I have my lid on I shout at people, and when they reply I just smile at them ! Laughing

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GT · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject:

Apparently one hour without ear plugs is equivalent to 8 hours in a machine shop, as the old man said, "tis the ..... ... ..... hear" Shocked

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AJ · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject:

shit you can't
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GT · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject:

AJ · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject:

ah gotcha! Wink

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twostrokesliveon · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:56 am Post subject:

my kids have a full octave and one note better hearing than me, thats as high as I could take the test with my sound gear....

I would say we should all wear them but i lose them after each ride...so rarely do, they should make helmets quieter please...

Schumachers helmet is supposed to be really quiet...
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wivvy's dad · Cabbage club member #3 Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655

I wear them always, even though Schuberth helmets are the quietest I have owned.

To prevent ear infections (which come from cross-infection), mark the blunt end of ONE earplug with a felt tip pen, and ALWAYS wear that earplug in the same ear, that way you'll never transfer the infection from one ear to the other by not knowing which earplug fits in which ear.

biggus · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

Chuffster · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:46 am Post subject:

Not often that I wear them. High speed runouts its a possibility, but for commuting up and down to London, afraid I like to hear everything thats going on around me.

Used to wear them on the race track, but I landed up grinding out a lurge swathe of fairing at Brands because I couldn't hear it. Now I don't wear them on the track, I can hear the bodywork go down now so know that I can not push through the corner any harder without crashing out.
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Firecracker · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

Tinks · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject:

I dont know why but the Dr taken to wearing them around the house now Rolling Eyes

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GSEX-SLAPPY · Guest

eh?......wot????....speak up ffs

Athos · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject: