Hearing Protection on a budget

[Ulvetanna_imp]

[url=http://www.cycleworld.com/prevent-hearing-damage-when-riding-your-motorcycle-ride-smart-safety-tips]Ear Protection

This piece has all the standard recommendations about protection for one's hearing, but I wonder about the real altruism of the effort; the author recommends an $800 helmet as a solution.

New riders are the ones who need to learn about these things and few of those can even dream of a helmet costing nearly a grand. Just like Norton, borrowing 7.5 million pounds sterling and then developing prestige-oriented bikes for collectors. Nothing for the common man or woman. (And despite being a 1200cc V4, the Kawasaki and BMW superbikes make more power; figure that one out, for $50,000 you'd think a few more horses would be in the stable.)

If this author was really knowledgeable he'd have pointed out that a [url=http://www.nojgear.com/Quiet_Rider_Deluxe_Helmet_Skirt_p/qr03-1.htm]NOJ Quiet Rider can turn any helmet into the quietest helmet available. I use these on several helmets, and not only do they greatly reduced dB levels (along with earplugs, of course), they cut the freezing wind to almost nothing.

And the deluxe version is about $50.

How about providing solutions for people on a budget? There is getting to be too much elitism out there.

[LongRanger_imp]

I purchased a NOJ Quiet Rider years ago but had extreme difficulty shoving my large head through it when donning my helmet. I removed it and stashed it in the back of a closet somewhere. Great, simple, and inexpensive idea; it just didn't work for me.

[emptysea]

I'm big on ear protection. I'm not big on spending $800+ on a helmet. I think your helmet skirt recommendation should have been included in his list of strategies, but the helmet option was only one of several that he listed and, I suppose, if you didn't purchase an after-market and loud exhaust, you may might save enough money for the $800 helmet so maybe his recommendations are not so extravagant.


Use Protection. Store-bought foam earplugs can substantially lessen sound pressure in your ears. <-- pretty frugal solution

Find a Quiet Helmet. Schuberth promotes the C3 Pro as “one of the quietest helmets in the world,” while Sena’s Smart Helmet has built-in noise-canceling technology. <-- pretty expensive solution, unless there are other benefits than noise reduction to the particular helmets (fit, weight, etc.)

Consider the Wind. Among road bikes, nothing is quieter than a full-fairing tourer. <-- Not a bad solution, but involves a major decision on what kind of bike you want to ride.

Keep it Stock. Want to hurt your hearing? Swap out OE intake and exhaust systems for great-sounding free-flowing components. <-- Doesn't cost anything unless your bike is already loud.


Personally, I think the author could have done, or at least looked up, some research on the topic and given a few brand options, especially for the earplugs.

Here's a couple links that might be more helpful. They were for me.

http://www.earplugsguide.com/best-motorcycle-ear-plugs/

http://ridermagazine.com/2011/05/13/hear...rcyclists/

http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing.../erme.html

http://ridermagazine.com/2014/01/31/nono...rs-review/

Great post...you can keep your hearing AND your money if you do a little research and, of course, commit to actually protecting yourself

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I'm big on ear protection. I'm not big on spending $800+ on a helmet. I think your helmet skirt recommendation should have been included in his list of strategies, but the helmet option was only one of several that he listed and, I suppose, if you didn't purchase an after-market and loud exhaust, you may might save enough money for the $800 helmet so maybe his recommendations are not so extravagant.


Use Protection. Store-bought foam earplugs can substantially lessen sound pressure in your ears. <-- pretty frugal solution

Find a Quiet Helmet. Schuberth promotes the C3 Pro as “one of the quietest helmets in the world,” while Sena’s Smart Helmet has built-in noise-canceling technology. <-- pretty expensive solution, unless there are other benefits than noise reduction to the particular helmets (fit, weight, etc.)

Consider the Wind. Among road bikes, nothing is quieter than a full-fairing tourer. <-- Not a bad solution, but involves a major decision on what kind of bike you want to ride.

Keep it Stock. Want to hurt your hearing? Swap out OE intake and exhaust systems for great-sounding free-flowing components. <-- Doesn't cost anything unless your bike is already loud.


Personally, I think the author could have done, or at least looked up, some research on the topic and given a few brand options, especially for the earplugs.

Here's a couple links that might be more helpful. They were for me.

http://www.earplugsguide.com/best-motorcycle-ear-plugs/

http://ridermagazine.com/2011/05/13/hear...rcyclists/

http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing.../erme.html

http://ridermagazine.com/2014/01/31/nono...rs-review/

Great post...you can keep your hearing AND your money if you do a little research and, of course, commit to actually protecting yourself

OK, that is truly good for a chuckle! You make such a great point about the suggestion to buy a bike with a full fairing. Those bikes are always more expensive and the kind of newer riders who haven't figured out earplugs are a must unless you want to go deaf are not buying bikes with fairings, they're getting the naked bikes, the retros, and so on.

[Django]

Google for `moldex spark plugs 7800'. I use those, very comfortable.

[4 Paws_imp]

Used my health insurance and bought some custom ear plugs from an audiologist, now I can't ride without them. Am on Senas' email list for when their helmet (in collaboration with Bell) hits the market but expect the price will not be for the faint of heart.

After forty plus years riding, always in full coverage helmets, I do suffer from a noticeable hearing loss. Who knew way back then?

Used various grades of disposable and semi disposable plugs for a short while before getting frustrated with their spotty performance and exploring the custom plugs. Several companies offer moldable plugs reasonably and a few also have moldable plugs with earbud capability.

[Capo]

$12 for a bucket of 100 foam earplugs, I don't go 1 mile without them. For full day and spirited rides, I have custom, formed ones I had made at the NY bike show a few years ago. Superb. You don't need an $800 helmet, but my sense is that (admittedly stereotyping) many who balk at that are the ones who wouldn't blink at an $800 groovy cafe jacket.

The Schuberth is an eerily quiet helmet, but there are a number of lids that are less expensive and perform well.

[EarsOnWheels_imp]

Shoei Neotec + Etymotic earplugs

Seriously, check out these earplugs: Etymotic Research ER20XS High Definition Motorcycle Ear Plugs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010C8HZSY/ref...nybZ4Z3VCX

Don't waste money on packs of orange foam.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Shoei Neotec + Etymotic earplugs

Seriously, check out these earplugs: Etymotic Research ER20XS High Definition Motorcycle Ear Plugs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010C8HZSY/ref...nybZ4Z3VCX

Don't waste money on packs of orange foam.

I need something will drop it over 30 dB. Foam does it, I use a new pair every ride, go through about 150 pairs a year.

[Rocky_imp]

I buy boxes of 200 pairs of E.A.R foam earplugs and use them regularly.