Modern Vespa

Over the past two months that I've owned an MP3 I've been reading this forum everyday. I've learned a lot about my scooter, pretty much decided what modifications I'm going to make, but most of all, I'm re-learning after a 20 year break in riding, what riding is all about.

One topic that keeps appearing is safety. Riding safer is something we all want to do.

Jimc, (and I'm almost as grizzled and cranky) has mentioned, along with others about the need for earplugs.

This morning I decided to ride 50 miles into the mountains to have breakfast. Along the way I picked up some cheap foam earplugs. The package stated they we're good for a 32db reduction. I put them in and took off. I was really hungry, the roads were almost devoid of traffic and it was a beautiful day.

Here is what I found;

It's quiet. I mean really quiet. I've been researching for a new helmet that would be quiet. Now I can keep the one I have.

I have searched the forums for a way to reduce the tension on the throttle spring. I have found it to be way too stiff and keeping a speed of 100kph or so is very fatiguing.

My neck would be sore after 50-60 miles.

Guess what? Reducing the noise reduces fatigue, at least with me. The throttle seemed easier, the buffeting seemed less and even the seat (which I still want to replace) didn't seem to burn my butt as soon.

The 100 mile ride was extremely pleasant. The only downside is that with the reduced noise I had to check the speedo more often. I tended to ride a bit too fast.

I highly recommend earplugs for those of you who haven't tried them.

For those that do, thanks for the tip.

Bob

I use sound blocking ear buds and play tunes when I ride. But anything to block the sound. I'd like to hear when I get as old as 88

+2

+1

I also found it cuts out the gawkers asking questions, the vatos with the stereos, the Harley posers, and the screams from the Papparrazzi I ran over.

I once had a problem with my mp3 250 throttle. In our hot wheather, the rubblerised grip actually expanded and got caught at the edge metal holding it. This is dangerous as it doesn't slow down when released! I found the problem solved by putting a metal washer between the grip and the edge metal holder, tighten the bolt and now it is okay!

Sometimes you might try the silicon blobs that you stick in your ears
that are sold in most drug and grocery stores. After trying most of the others
I have decided these are the most comfortable. They have a lower noise reduction rating than others, but seem to work well anyway. Just my opinion. Good thing about plugs is they are cheap and invite experimentation.

I went on a longish ride (300km) about three weeks ago. Forgot my custom made moulded earplugs. (They were in the pocket of my summer jacket, it was cold and I needed my winter jacket).
Boy am I sorry about that.
I have had non-stop tinnitus ever since.
I will NEVER ride without them again.
God knows how much permanent damage I've already done to my hearing. ''
Please wear your earplugs.''

Another plugger here. I bought the cheaper foam plugs as well. Then I went to the custom moulded plugs. The difference is night and day. The moulded ones are way better. It is like having a new scoot!

I received my new earplugs that are noise blocking on Friday. WOW...what a difference! The bike seemed to ride smoother, the Texas heat did not seem to be as fierce, the seat didn't seem to be as bothersome, etc. Who knew that sound reduction would relieve that much fatigue? And who knew that it was really THAT loud? So I got the type of earplugs with the triple flange that are also able to be connected to the earphones for my iPod. Riding with MUSIC and without the noise was such a pleasure. It is a whole new experience in riding for me. 8)

However, I do echo that I tended to ride much faster. Without the sound of the wind, I was riding MUCH MUCH faster. (ahem....90+ on the freeway, passing those trucks to get out of their wind turbulence) I do not recommend riding that fast.....but geesh I had a blast!

I am gonna have to try them. I bought an Airhawk and while it is helping i still feel a bit sore after a medium ride. What a kick in the butt (pun intended) if a 10 dollar pair of earplugs helps more than a $120 dollar seat pad

That's the type of irony I live with all the time. You should plug up to save your hearing anyway.... Pretty good thread on it HERE

What kind of earplugs are those? Where would I be able to purchase them? I also enjoy riding with music, usually with only one earbud in though. The kind you found sound heavenly

$10 per pair! $10 will get you 50 pair of some of the best (IMHO) ear plugs for the money. I have used ear plugs for 30 years. I am notoriuosly cheap too. I have found that the 50 pair bucket they sell at WallyWorld are very well priced. I have bought industrial earplugs for years. But yes, you can spend $40 at the Harley dealer's open house/bikini bike wash/BBQ/bike competition for custom fit plugs. I don't know about you but I can run on $40 worth of ear plug for years. I use the well designed, high level noise blocking ones from Wally World several times before I throw them out. I never have to clean them either which is a big convenience.

It still remains a personal choice though. I can see why some want the best which translates to most expensive but.. not necessarily better. Same goes for a lot of motorcycle accessories! Sad as it is we can all look back and say... Why did I bother buying that? It was a waste of money, not worth it, useless.

So my advice in this long rant is. Look at the ear plugs, read the specifications which commercial versions always have listed. Buy what is rated high in noise protection and in a style you like. Avoid good intended, heavily pierced/ tattooed vendors at the bike convention selling playdough looking earplugs but only because you don't know what they are selling. Lastly buy what you will use. Even the Wally World bucket has a companion product with just a few pair that you can try before spending 20 cents a pair for 50 pair.

I've put an extra pair of cheapies in each of my jackets, and a couple pair in my glovebox. They're a good backup to the customs and way better than nothin'!

I have used the 50-pair-bucket orange foam earplugs from Rite Aid for years to sleep at night. They are the best earplugs I've found, period. Of course, YMMV. They work just as well on the bike.

I do however, prefer the Hocks Noise Brakers for city riding. They allow normal volume sound to come through, but block dangerously loud sounds. I found that I had to cut off the smallest flange for them to fit my ears comfortably. Do NOT cut down the stem or you won't be able to get them out of your ears without a needle-nose pliers. (Don't ask me how I know.)

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/honobr.html

Check out the Ear Plug Superstore for a dizzying array of earplugs of all kinds. Overwhelming.

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/

The ones I purchased were from Shure. They attach to the iPod earphones that I also purchased from Shure. (I bought the E3 ones). But the triple flange sleeve can be used for all types of in ear earphones, and could be used alone without the iPod to cancel out noises. I love mine. Best of luck to you on yours!

I am now a believer. I have been using earplugs this week on my commutes and I felt less beat up by the wind (still using the stock windscreen). I never realized how much noise you are subjected to until i put in the plugs.

As stated in other posts though i did drive a bit too fast without realizing it.

Shure is supposed to be some of the best plugs. I use the Etymotic Er6 plugs. They block something like 30 db which makes for a VERY quiet ride, even at 80mph. And they can be had for well under $100 on the right web page. Here's the link to the web page for them, just ignore the price on it though:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx

Man! $100 a pair! I wish I was in that scam. "They block something like 30 db which makes for a VERY quiet ride". Go to Walmart and buy 50 pair that block 31db for $10. There is no difference! Sound is sound. You can get some that block 33db for twice the price elsewhere. The only thing you get is that they are reusable. What! For $100 I can buy 500 pair and throw them away. Fact is I reuse them several times before doing that.

Don't throw your money away. Think about the facts. It took me years to to see that I was spending money on crap I didn't need or thought was better. Buy the highest rated and cheapest earplugs you like. Then you won't feel bad when you lose one and have to fork out another $100.

Just trying to help here and it pains me to see people spending hard earned money on fluff. The science does not lie. 30db is 30db. Don't fall for marketing crap.

That is the engineer in my, sorry!.

Ride safe and quietly but also un-screwed by marketing hype!

+1

And remember that although we all think that 'wind noise' is the noisy dragon to be quieted, it is actually sub-sonic noise that may cause the most lasting damage. A brain function as well as an ear one, apparently.

There are far too many deaf or hearing-impaired bikers around, try not to be one folks!

Good point Jim. I know too many hard of hearing bikers and that goes for military veterans and target shoothers too. Protection is important. All good hearing protection is certified at noise level and noise frequency. Buy what suits you. Be aware of over priced options though. The cheap yet certified options have all the "conveniences" the expensive ones offer. Handy cases, cords, reusable, colors, comfort. Do your research and save some bucks that is all I wish to drive home.

ER-6's are earphones not just ear plugs. You can listen to your iPod with them.

O.K. The price is less shocking. Not sure there is any "protection" to be gained by them then. I usually find that I need to overcome the road noise with higher volume to hear ABBA in the earbuds.

Throw out my concern about the db rating of the plugs, it does not apply in this application. I was assuming noise reduction not road noise isolation from the music.

Sorry I missed the left turn in this thread. ;0).

Does anyone have the measurement (length) for the ER6 earphones? I don't see it on the Etymotic site.

I have M-Audio IE-40s that are great for blocking out airline noise, but they don't fit in my HJC helmet. They are 1 & 1/8th inch long.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=Earphones

Before I rush out and get the ER6s, I want to confirm if my Helmet is the issue.

What??? What did you say????

I this discussion of ear plugs the Etymotic ER6's were recommended. In my experiences with earphones with cancellation features, I have not found them to be comfortable under a helmet. The earphones protrude too far out of the ear.

I am curious as to the dimensions of the the ER6s.

These particular plugs are not noise cancellation. They simply form a tight seal in the ear canal, just like regular ear plugs. They just happen to play music with very good sound quality also. I got mine for $70. I think that's a good price for a good quality pair of earphones. I am very sensitive to ear discomfort and I find these to be very comfortable. They are 24mm in length and when inserted properly fit completely with in my ear "cavity". I can easily put my modular helmet over them without dislodging them or feeling uncomfortable.

I don't think you could do this with a regular full face helmet though. I have to pull out on my helmet a bit to get it to slide over the ears without yanking the buds out. You can't do that with a full face.

Thanks for that schlagle, I wear a FF and even regular Ipod earbuds are a challenge and they don't stick out at all but just putting the FF on can pull them out of my ear if I don't put it on just right. I will keep looking.

Thanks Schlagle. It turns out it was all about the helmet. I tried my kids HJC open face cruiser and my old plugs worked perfect because the helmet has a nice open space around the ear (unlike my HJC full face helmet).

I personally like the full face helmet and was successful in using my wife's KBC full face, which has pads around the ear that can be removed.

I took a ride to the ocean today and it was a beautiful thing with absolutely no road noise. Now the problem was not being able to hear other bikers who drove up to me on the slow Beach Cruz streets to ask questions. The MP3 got a lot of thumbs up from the beatniks.

I wear mine with the full face helmet. I did have to snip off the first "flange" to make them short enough to fit comfortably, so mine are now "double" flange. However, they definitely are still noise cancelling and I can listen to music without turning the volume high. It is heavenly riding with the tunes. Just pay attention to SPEED, and be very aware of your surroundings (which we should be doing anyhow).

I don't used them (earplugs). I guess my helmet (mediu, agv miglia full face) keeps the noice to a minium. Even going at 70 mph still no trouble with it!