Save Your Hearing and Your Wallet

Lets just say I work in an area where I deal with this stuff all the time so here is my partially informed opinion:



1. Use plugs. If you are young, you are thinking I'm full of you know what. If you listen to me and use plugs, you'll thank me after I'm long gone and your riding buddies keep saying "'eh?" & "say again".

2. Try lots of types and use what is comfy. Actually I'd shy away from the highest NRR ratings if I wuz you. The high NRR expando-foam types just cut too much sound...note that I said "sound" and not "noise". MOrons are generally pretty sharp - you know what I mean.

3. Verschoor is right - buy in bulk. DON'T clean 'em and keep reusing. Don't go there!



Another hobby of mine is Audio. I got started with Dynaco Kits about the same time as I got the not so mighty DT-1 (71 model, a nice copper color like the SV-S's of a couple of yrs ago). My high frequency hearing is pretty much gone now and ahead of schedule. I did not start wearing plugs until the early 90's. What a maroon I was.



Bottom line: be smarter than me. Shouldn't be too tough to accomplish.

No, i don't think so. The noise is basically the turbulence of the airflow over/around the helmet. If you have a fairing, you'll note that the wind noise is much less.



Noise varies drastically between helment brands. My Arai is much worse than my Shoei. The Arai has a plastic cover over the shield hinge, and that thing is a noise amplifier. the Shoei, on the other hand, has a smooth shield without a cover. it is noticably quieter.



I always wear ear plugs, except after i rebuild an engine for the first ride or two to make sure i don't hear anything bad.



I am probably a geek, but i would always wear earplugs even going to bars with bands. My wife used to make fun of me, but at 44, she has measurable hearing loss. I may look stupid, but i'd rather hear.



Try earplugs on a long ride. you'll arrive MUCH more relaxed and fresh than if you didn't wear them. that ambient noise is very tiring.

I work at a job where I have to wear them. Lots of loud machine noise.



I use my "used" ones when riding my Max. It isn't the exhaust so much as the wind noise/buffeting. At work and at play I notice that the plugs can cut out some of the unwanted noise and actually make things like conversation at work or listening to the stereo in my helmet easier. Seems contrary to common sense but it works!



I use the corded foam ones as I can easily loop the cord through the hanging loop on the back of my 'stich and I always know where they are. Makes longer rides easier and less fatiguing too.



paul from Minnesota