ear plugs

[Gerald]

I am trying to find a good ear plug to kill the wind noise on my
R1150RT. I have tried some of the cheap foam ones and they don't work very well.

I saw the EAR.inc add in the BMWON and their nice one is a
little too pricey for me. Some local riders said that there is
someone at a lot of the rallies that does sell them for $50.
Can anyone give me a contact point on this vensor? Can
anyone that has these molded plugs let me know how well
they work?

Are there any good ear plugs out there that are not quite so
expensive?

Thank you,

Gerald

[BradfordBenn]

What I would recommend doing is a couple of things. You may just want to go down to the local pharmacy and try some wax plugs. I personally don't like the fit but other people swear by them.

I also purchased the Aerostich trial kit to see which ones I liked. That helped a lot cause then I went online and purchased in bulk.

Another option is to go to a rally and see who is making plugs on site. I really like the plugs I got from Bob Weiss, who is a BMW rider and part of B Cubed.

[kbasa]

I got a set of molded ones made at the local AMA races a few years ago and paid about $30. You might want to check with your local shooting store to see if they can help you. Alternatively, you might want to find the local hearing aid guys and ask them.

There are all kinds of foam plugs and I've found the Hear-os fit my ears well. They're shaped like a little bullet with a flat end on them so you can pull them out. I don't like the ones with the sticks in them cuz they rub on my helmet and slowly drive me mad.

[Rich]

Gerald,

Just wondering if you are running with the stock windshield? If so, can it and get yourself a good aftermarket (I went with Cee Bailey's) windshield and the difference will be unbelievable. It sure was in my case. I still wear the cheap foam ear plugs, not out of necessity, but I like lots of quiet. Good luck.

[Gerald]

Thanks for all of the replies, I'll need to go to work now and see
what fits me best.

Rich,

I am still running the stock windshield. I wear trifocals and for
me to see in the stock mirrors I have to lower my eyes and
head to the point I cannot see the road, thus I put some mirrors
from the R1200CL on my bike so that I could still see the road
when looking in the mirrors.

I have been told that these mirrors will not clear some of the
after market windshields when put in full lock position.

These mirrors are the oval ones with the black plastic fronts on
chrome mirrors. They are fairly low and cant out quickly so they
do not stick up a lot.

I still use the lower mirrors for a quick glance, but I do not have to
take the time to focus since I have the handlebar mirrors too.

Do you know of anyone who has used your windshield with the
handlebar mirrors and did they clear in full lock position?

thanks again to all,

Gerald

[knary]

Go to a local safety supply store. You'll find them in most bigger towns. The few I've been in have bins of all sorts of different earplugs. I tried a couple of each kind of the foam variety before finally settling in on the Howard Leight Max Lite. I then bought a box of 200 pair for $20. These plugs, aside from color and price, are virtually identical to Hearos.

[jgr451]

As far as I know,the fellow who comes to the rallies to custom fit ear plugs actually sells and fits only the molding material.You can order the actual plugs from him by sending him the mould.It works well enough for a short time but breaks down rather quickly.

I took the plunge and spent the big buck on custom made plugs,about $150 CDN.They work really well.They are a tight fit,not uncomfortable and they screen out wind noise,while still allowing me to hear conversations,and the engine/transmission noises.

I dont know...hearing is nearly as important as seeing .I wouldn't skimp on it.A lot of shooters I know use the foam plugs with ear protector muffs-the double protection is good-but there are a lot of hearing impaired people out there who didn't protect their hearing soon enough.

[Rich]

Originally posted by Gerald

I have been told that these mirrors will not clear some of the
after market windshields when put in full lock position.

Do you know of anyone who has used your windshield with the
handlebar mirrors and did they clear in full lock position?

Gerald

I can't help you there, Gerald, but maybe someone else will see this and add there eperiences with what you are describing. I guess you could take a digital picture of your setup and then email it to your choice of aftermarket supplier of windshields and they could sure help you out. I don't know how tall you are but I am 5'10" and the Cee Bailey sure did the trick for me. I am sure others out there are just as good. If you want to know the design I went with (there are several), email me and I will fill you in on the details. Or look for other members recommendations on what to buy. The stock shield just doesn't do the job, in my opinion.

[dlearl476]

I now have three sets of custom molded plugs. 2 plugs and one in-ear monitor (All from EAR, Inc.). Custom molds are great, but to be perfectly honest, I ride with my Howard Leight "Leight Sleepers" the most. These are H-L version of the SOFT foam sold by many vendors, but the actually have the MOST attenuation of any of them (30db). They are flourescent yellow and pink, hard to miss in a tankbag. They are readily available at any Walgreens and probably any other phamacy. Comes in handy when you lose one at a gas stop in a stiff wind. But they come in packs of 12 with a handy tank bag-able container.
I only use my in-ears if I want to listen to music.

HEY! How did I become a "rally rat'? I didn't do that, I'll change it after the 200.

[knary]

Originally posted by dlearl
I now have three sets of custom molded plugs. 2 plugs and one in-ear monitor (All from EAR, Inc.). Custom molds are great, but to be perfectly honest, I ride with my Howard Leight "Leight Sleepers" the most. These are H-L version of the SOFT foam sold by many vendors, but the actually have the MOST attenuation of any of them (30db). They are flourescent yellow and pink, hard to miss in a tankbag. They are readily available at any Walgreens and probably any other phamacy. Comes in handy when you lose one at a gas stop in a stiff wind. But they come in packs of 12 with a handy tank bag-able container.
I only use my in-ears if I want to listen to music.

HEY! How did I become a "rally rat'? I didn't do that, I'll change it after the 200.

Yep.
That's why I gave up on custom molded plugs. When I tried out a pair a few years ago, their NRR was markedly lower than that of the foam plugs.

Having said that, Brad recently told me that the molded plugs have gotten better in recent years. I might have to give them another try. It's just hard for me to rationalize trying them again when the el cheapo foam plugs are all of 10 cents a pair. :)

[BradfordBenn]

I use both. For me, the custom molded work better but only use on longer rides. I use the disposables for the local rides where I know I will be taking the plugs in and out a lot, and losing them a lot.

The biggest complaint I have is trying to find in helmet speakers that are thin enough not to be painful and squish my head.

[bmwmon]

Gerald, Here is the sure fix, Go to your local hearing center and get professional molded ear plugs made and for a few bucks more you can have them install tiny little speakers for your music as well. I paid $80 dollars for basic plugs "The sure fix" and I ride an RT

bmwmon@earthlink.net

[manicmechanic]

From personal experience, I used the disposable plugs for a while, still use them at work on occasion. However, on a long tour, in warmer weather, after a couple days the inside of my ears would get irritated, making for an aggravating ride. So I went for the custom plugs. Found a vendor at one of the bike shows made them right there, came back in an hour and they were finished. Also ordered up a set of the molded speakers, which seem to work well as plugs, too. Yes they are a little pricey, but I don't have the earritation any more.

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by knary
Go to a local safety supply store. You'll find them in most bigger towns. The few I've been in have bins of all sorts of different earplugs. I tried a couple of each kind of the foam variety before finally settling in on the Howard Leight Max Lite. I then bought a box of 200 pair for $20. These plugs, aside from color and price, are virtually identical to Hearos.

I use the Howard Leight plugs as well. I find that they work just as well as anything else on the market. My dad gets them from his factory job for free. ;)

[knary]

I should also add:
Since they only cost 10 cents a pair, I discard them as soon as they're remotely dirty. Why stick something nasty in your ear?

[Cliffy777]

They are hooked into my Gerbing heated vest which is in-line with my radar detector which flashes directly onto my left contact lens which is wired in sync with my MPC/GPS/BMF system somehow hooked into my CB/Sat-Cell/DVD transponder remote laptop link to the tire pressure monitor which works in conjunction with my pre-warmed gel seat with breath activated bun pressure activation.
Ear plugs? Huh? What? Why? Huh?

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by knary
I should also add:
Since they only cost 10 cents a pair, I discard them as soon as they're remotely dirty. Why stick something nasty in your ear?

That could easily turn into 7 worst bands ever list.:p

[knary]

Originally posted by BradfordBenn
That could easily turn into 7 worst bands ever list.:p

uh-oh...don't get me started on Lynyrd Skynrd.
:bliss

[kbasa]

Free Bird!

We used to yell that at Pajama Slave Dancer shows.

[Gerald]

Thanks for all of the replies, I haven't been on this forum long,
but I love it already. I got some Super Hearos at the BMW
dealership in Bentonville, AR while on a quick trip to Springfield,
MO this past weekend. I haven't tried them yet, but will tomor-
row.

The Leight Sleepers will follow as soon as I can get to Walgreens.
I am planning on a few rallies this years so I'll look for a vendor
that molds the ear plugs at these events.

Cliffy777,

Man, you're not only wired for sound, but just about everything
else. How are the electronic ear plugs? Are they enough better
than the molded plugs to make them worth the difference in
cost?

Thanks again to all,

Gerald

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by knary
Go to a local safety supply store. You'll find them in most bigger towns. The few I've been in have bins of all sorts of different earplugs. I tried a couple of each kind of the foam variety before finally settling in on the Howard Leight Max Lite. I then bought a box of 200 pair for $20. These plugs, aside from color and price, are virtually identical to Hearos.

You can actually buy a ear plug "sampler" from Norton/AO.
As for the " These plugs, aside from color and price, are virtually identical to Hearos", actually, they're not. If you read the fine print, they all have different levels of attenuation (reduction of noise level) IIRC, the Hearos are ~ 22 db, the Max lites are 22-24 db and, like I posted, the "Leight Sleepers" are the max at 30db, that's why H-L earplugs are color coded.

[knary]

Originally posted by dlearl
You can actually buy a ear plug "sampler" from Norton/AO.
As for the " These plugs, aside from color and price, are virtually identical to Hearos", actually, they're not. If you read the fine print, they all have different levels of attenuation (reduction of noise level) IIRC, the Hearos are ~ 22 db, the Max lites are 22-24 db and, like I posted, the "Leight Sleepers" are the max at 30db, that's why H-L earplugs are color coded.

hmm...the Hearos I bought before I discovered the safety stores had a 30 NNR as do the Howard Leight Max Lites. They're even shaped the same, squish same, etc. Maybe they've changed them in the last couple years? I dunno. A little digging on-line suggests otherwise.
max lites...
http://www.howardleight.com/LeightSingle5_r2_c4.jpg

hearos...
http://www.explorersdrums.com/media/H414_L.jpg

[knary]

http://www.howardleight.com/

[MarkF]

Originally posted by knary
Go to a local safety supply store. You'll find them in most bigger towns. The few I've been in have bins of all sorts of different earplugs. I tried a couple of each kind of the foam variety before finally settling in on the Howard Leight Max Lite. I then bought a box of 200 pair for $20. These plugs, aside from color and price, are virtually identical to Hearos.

Also at Home Depot and Lowes. I like the disposable yellow cylinders. Squish 'em, insert and they expand to fit. The white ones are too hard and the orange bullets are too soft (but those ones are good for camping near snorers or moaners).

MarkF

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by KBasa
Free Bird!

We used to yell that at Pajama Slave Dancer shows.

I like to yell it during choir concerts myself :)

I'd like to also point out that where except for a BMW forum would you ever have such a long and detailed thread about ear plugs. We may in fact be geeks, but at least we're geeks who can still hear when we're being made fun of!

[MarkF]

Originally posted by YB in IN I'd like to also point out that where except for a BMW forum would you ever have such a long and detailed thread about ear plugs. We may in fact be geeks, but at least we're geeks who can still hear when we're being made fun of!

Huh?!

:D MarkF

[Cliffy777]

GERALD WROTE: Cliffy777,
Man, you're not only wired for sound, but just about everything
else. How are the electronic ear plugs? Are they enough better
than the molded plugs to make them worth the difference in
cost?
Gerald

Dude, I lied. Told a whopper. Did a Billy C. Stretched the truth. Prevaricated.
Don't got no plugs, don't got no 'lectronics at all.
Welcome to the forum - ain't it a blast? Look at all the helpful posts you got and only one ******* post (mine).
You are doing good!

[kbasa]

Cliffy's just wired.

Totally. That's why we love him.

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by YB in IN
I'd like to also point out that where except for a BMW forum would you ever have such a long and detailed thread about ear plugs. We may in fact be geeks, but at least we're geeks who can still hear when we're being made fun of!

Heck I even brought this into work and put it on the bulletin board.

[Gerald]

This forum is awesome, thanks to all for the input and especial-
ly to Cliffy777 for a good laugh.

Gerald

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by KBasa
Cliffy's just wired.

Totally. That's why we love him.

KBasa, I think you spelled that wrong. it is weird.:p :brow

[dzimbric]

My humble .02 worth
I got my silicone molded ear plugs with speakers the other day and I like them a lot.
I used the foam plugs for a long time but the new silicone ones are superior, though it is hard to rationalize the price against the free ones at work.
I use the earplug speakers for tunes and then use the chatterbox helmet speakers for bike to bike/passenger intercom and the radar detector. The speakers help block some of the noise instead of adding to the noise.
This works for me since I have lost a lot of my hearing and want to protect what I have left.

[dlearl476]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by knary
hmm.. A little digging on-line suggests otherwise.
max lites...


My bad, I just bought a new package of L-Sleepers the other day and I saw that on some other packages at Walgreen's. Not absolutely certain the other pair were Hearos, but one definitely WAS MaxLeights. Maybe they have different versions.

And now, for something completely different:

I got my new
xma3 V.2 (http://www.tesseractcorp.com/xma3.htm#IMPORTANT%20-%20Please%20Read%20Before%20Starting%20The%20Purch ase%20Process) today and did one little ride to check it out. Once I got the volumes set for the XM and V1 it was very nice, then I concentrated on the ride. 80? here today! WooHoo. Once I get a little more time with the audio set-up, and have some photos of the box to hold it all, I'll post a bit on the board.

[Mar]

I use Howard Leight Laser Lites. The NRR is 32 decibels. These plugs are made for those with narrow ear canals and my ears are much happier since I've been using them. Other plugs make my ears hurt after an hour or so. I bought a box of 200 from Gempler's (www.gemplers.com) a couple years ago.

[Gerald]

Thanks for all of the replies, this forum and its members are great.
I took a 200 mile trip yesterday on a beautiful, but windy day. I
used a pair of Hearos ear plugs that I recently purchased.

The wind noise level was still quite loud to me. I might add that I
have a Schuberth Concept helmet which I understand is one of
the noisier helmets.

Last night at the local BMW meeting one of the other RT owners
gave me a pair of Max Lite ear plugs. I did not take my Rt to the
meeting as I was doing a St Patrick's day gig in the same strip
mall so I had to wear my kilt and carry my drum.

The club is going to take a day ride for lunch saturday so I'll try
the Max Lites out then.

I did discover that it indeed helps if you lift the upper part of your
ear when inserting the ear plugs as the Hearos recommends. I
tried that on the return trip and it did help a bit.

Thanks again for all of the replies.

Gerald

[cuervo]

3 pages on earplugs and hear's one more reply:

I use the standard yellow barrel-shaped foam earplugs, BUT, I cut off about 1/8" so that they don't stick out of my ear and rub the helmet. No scientific data, but shortening them this little bit does not seem to reduce their effectiveness very much.

I carry them around in a reusable container so that when a pair goes old, I can toss them and just add a new pair in the case.

[iRene]

Speaking of foam earplugs
a Nameless Riding Acquaintance of mine pops
his gently used foam earplugs into his mouth
and MOISTENS them before reinserting them.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWW!

Tell me, Dear Abby, am I just a prude?

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by iRene
Speaking of foam earplugs
a Nameless Riding Acquaintance of mine pops
his gently used foam earplugs into his mouth
and MOISTENS them before reinserting them.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWW!

Tell me, Dear Abby, am I just a prude?

I wouldn't go so far as to pop mine in my mouth, but I regularly moisten mine up with a wet finger. Makes the moulds slip into place better and the moisture helps seal as well as makes the moulds more comfortable for long term wear. I find the dry silicone gets uncomfortable pretty fast. Several people have suggested baby oil or lotion, but thats just something else to remember to put in tank bag. Spit, I always have plenty!
Yes, I've got a few weird looks at gas stations, who cares.:p

[wgraybuckley]

The larger gun shows usually have an EAR rep. Those plugs are exceptionally effective for the firing range. If you get them for riding, be sure to have them fitted under your helmet. If they protrude enough to touch the interior of the helmet, noise is carried from normal wind and vibration into your inner ear.

Contact: Gordon Hollyn, E.A.R., Inc., Insta-Mold West, Box 18888, 5547 Central Ave, Boulder, CO, 80301-2846

303.447.2619 or 800.525.2690
He was the sales/operations manager a few years ago.

[Bobmws]

Hi folks,
Just some clarification regarding earplugs. First, the ear canal varies greatly in size and shape. The more convoluted and narrow your canal, the more difficulty you will have futting a foam earplug. That said, you will get the most attenuation from a foam earplug, as high as 33 db NRR, as opposed to a custom mold. Just remember that you must achieve a good seal from a particular earplug to get the benefit of that rating. It must fit and seal comfortably to be effective.
There is a large selection of generic earplugs, with different levels of protection, size and density that you can try. When you insert the foam plug, roll it tightly, pull your ear up or back to try to straighten the canal, insert the earplug deeply, let go of your ear and hold the plug in place as it expands so it doesent try to expand out of your canal. Lubrication sometimes helps the plug expand smoothly. If you are unable to find a generic that will fit due to the size and shape of your canal, then you may be a candidate for a custom earplug.

[dzimbric]

Originally posted by Gerald

Last night at the local BMW meeting one of the other RT owners
gave me a pair of Max Lite ear plugs. I did not take my Rt to the
meeting as I was doing a St Patrick's day gig in the same strip
mall so I had to wear my kilt and carry my drum.

Gerald

Ear plugs are mandatory while riding your RT in a kilt and carrying a big strapping drum. At a strip mall.

As heard from a passing Scotsman "Absolutely nothing and it is in perfect working order.":bliss

[Gerald]

Well, I made the trip saturday with the Max Lites with an NRR of
34 and they did seem to be a bit quieter than the Hearos. I did
pull up on my ear which let the plug go in a bit better.

I ordered some of the custom fit plugs and should have them
in about a week. From what I am reading on this forum they
probably won't be any quieter at the range for the wind noise, but they may help me in the pipe band.

They will not put any pressure on my ear from the helmet either,
as they will not protrude from my ears.

Now if I can just find something to stop the buffeting of the wind.
I am not sure I can get my wife back on the RT again as the wind
scared her. In Oklahoma we have wind every day so things don't
look too good. The RT was pretty steady, but she was moving
around pretty good.

Gerald

[wilhelmggw]

One with CBailey extended windshield. That took care of all our problems with wind buffetting.

[Gerald]

WilhelmGGW,

Thanks for the post, as soon as I get my seat problem solved
I'll look into that.

Gerald

[109478]

Hi,

I have both molded ear plugs I got from a gun show. If you get them there, you have to have them shave the outside so you can get it under your helmet.

I have a pair of Arizona AL's stereo Ear buds. I have never felt anything as comfortable in my search. Best head phones I have ever had. I plug them into my MP3 player and longer riders and I float along. I just sent my headsets to him to have a plug put in so I can splice them into my Starcom communication setup to talk with my back seat and toal toalk with my fellow riders on ham radio.

I haven't been on this site very much. Spend most of my time on WWW.BMWRT.com most of the time. THis site will has Arizona AL on the contact list as a member, and will have a lot of answers on windsheilds. I to where trifocals and have moved up to a Cee Bailey #2 + 4 inch windshield. Great set up.

Arizona Al is AL Schibi in Mesa Arizona. He is a rider and goes to a lot of the Tech days and ralleys.

Good luck

Jeff

[sgborgstrom]

I was trying find out if it was legal to use earplugs while riding and came across this lovely site:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htmhttp://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm

Still trying to dig into the local laws as to usage here in WA. Helmet mounted speakers too. I will continue to use my earplugs no matter what I find as I've not had a problem hearing sirens, horns and loud piped bikes in 20 years of use.

On fittment:

With plugs properly inserted there should be no discernable difference in noise level between holding your hands over your ears and with hands away from the ears. At least that's what the WISHA guy told me while I was getting certified to do respirator fit tests a few years back.


Steve