Ear Protection

Yesterday I used ear-plugs on my motorcycle for the first time.

Riding was so much more relaxing when I couldn't hear the scream of my
engine or the wind on my helmet, even at motorway speeds. It reminded
me of being in a car with the windows rolled up.

I just stuck a pair in that I had in a drawer from a recent flight
from Thailand, so they weren't anything special but the difference was
amazing.

Is there a consensus on what the "best" brand of ear plugs are for use
on a motorcycle, or is it down to personal preference?

There are three that have BIKE or MCN Best Buy type awards on
http://www.sound-dist.co.uk/earplugs.htm but is there really much
difference?

They weigh in at about £10 for 50 - but I haven't shopped around yet.

 

I use the Laserlite and have always found them comfortable and easy to
use.

http://www.members.aol.com/lucydellearplugs/earplugpix100x100/pictures.htm

 

The PVC foam Classic on that page does it for me.
I get them from http://www.farnell.co.uk , a quid for a box of 5 pairs
(591270) or twenty quid for an enormous box (3992391), post free.

 

Stritchy says...

I use whatever I canm get my hands on for free. They all seem to do the
same job with me. Some I can only stand for about 2 hours though, like
the square ended yellow EAR ones.

 

After trying several makes I found that Max1 plugs were the best for
me.

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Ear Plugs&product=830

Whatever plugs you do go for see if they do a corded type (i.e.
Max30), they're more convenient when you go in shops/petrolstations
etc.

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Ear Plugs&product=831

 

Richard A says...

I find them inconvenient because the cord flaps around at speed and also
pulls the earplug out when you're putting your lid on. Others I've
spoken to reckon the cord buzzes at speed and transmits vibration into
the ear at a frequency that the earplug isn't too good at absorbing.

 

I got some custom made at a show. Not cheap, but more comfortable for me
than disposable, and they seem to last pretty much indefinitely.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Disposables will do for now, but I would very much like ones with
DECENT speakers attached in the near future.

I've heard of earplugs with speakers in, but I haven't tracked any
down.

I would like some of Sennheiser quality, with decent bass response
that I can plug into my iRiver. Is this a realistic expectation?

 

I use http://www.earplugs.gb.com/ so I can mix and match, but have settled
on Soft FX

 

Nick emerged from their own little world to say

For disposables: http://earplugs.gb.com/index.html
They do a multi-pack that contains a sample of each type they sell.
Different plugs suit different people.

I'm currently using EAR Neons which work out at 11p a pair if you buy
the huge box.

For custom made with speakers then see: http://www.ultimateear.com/
They are based in Sidcup.

There are others available but Ultimate seem to have the edge on
reputation with those that need speakers for their Autocoms, phones,
radios etc. Personally, one of the attractions of riding a bike is to be
disconnected from all that crap.

 

Thanks for your help, everyone.

I've ordered a trial pack from earplugs.gb.com.

 

I've used the Max in past and currently use Laserlite. No complaints
about either.

 

Richard A wrote

They are fucking crap. The string gets everywhere.

 

These are good:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14788&item=
4537479450&rd=1

 

They get a lot of recommendations. I'll probably settle on them, but
until then I've ordered a trial pack of about 20 different flavours to
see which ones I get on with.

Thanks for your help.

 

The max-lites are good, too. They can be a bit tricky to get in as
they're quite soft but if you brush the ends (after you've rolled them
up) on the insides of your lips, they slide in easy and they're dead
comfy.

 

They are fucking crap. The string gets everywhere.

They bloody well are !

 

Tampons are just the same.

 

Try these:

http://www.forafters.co.uk/ccp51/media/images/product_xlarge/A11040BLK

 

Personally, I find those irritate after a couple of hours.

So as I have loads of them (ho hum) i use them for DIY instead