earplugs

[bigbore2]

How many of you guys wear earplugs when on the road at highway speed for any distance?
Can you list if you have a stock screen or taller one.
Also what kind of helmet do you wear?

I wear earplugs, have a tall touring screen and Shoei RF1100 helmet.

[andyb]

Same helmet (RF1100....love it!), though I wear earplugs with any helmet that I've owned.
Low windscreen, or no windscreen on some of the bikes.

Protecting my hearing from (further) damage is just as important to me as preventing my skin from being scraped away by asphalt.  All the gear, all the time.  Earplugs are part of the gear... even if it's just down the street.  I'll wear a half helmet and leave them out only when I'm specifically trying to listen for something on the bike while adjusting something, and that's around the block at most.

[movenon]

Here is a thread that had some discussion about ear plugs.  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10405.0
I have been using those orange foamys but will get a set of custom plugs before next riding season.
George

[X-Ray]

Yeah I have to. Just use the cheap foam ones, but since I've got the New Shark S700 helmet, its noisy as crap, wind roar and whistling all the time. Thats with a stock '92 finned screen as well. Ear plugs with this helmet are mandatory above 40kmhr, 

[roverfj1200]

I would say that there is no screen that will keep the air flow off the helmet. On a FJ. I just cut 6 inches off my touring screen for zip difference with a HJC flip. If I stand up and get in clear air the helmet is just OK but I have never stood up for any distance. I wear plugs most of the time and found the moulded plugs unsatisfactory. I'm 6 foot 2.. Hope that helps...

Cheers

[Arnie]

I wear earplugs if I'm going to be riding for more than 15min or so.  And, while I've had custom plugs made for my ears, I find the tapered foam ones more comfortable, so I use those.
I have a '91 with a 7" high extension on the screen.  I wear a HJC Symax2 (flip) most of the time, but a HJC open face helmet if I know the weather is going to be nice.  Surprisingly, the open face helmet is quieter than any full face helmet I've ever worn.



Arnie

[fj johnnie]

 Arai quantum 2 helmet. 90 FJ. Slightly taller windscreen than stock. I am 6'2". I always wear earplugs. Can't ride without them.  Even with the scala rider inside my helmet. If there was a helmet that was actually quiet I would buy it.

[jamesearthdrum]

I use the foam plugs every time. Current helmet, Scorpion 1000. I have a stock screen on the '89 since last year, thanks Henry, used a touring screen for a couple years with the turned up lip. Made no difference in noise, but there is less buffeting with the stock screen. I'm 6' tall.

james

[bigbore2]

Thanx for the replies. I am 6'2" and always wear the cheap foam plugs. just wondering if everyone else has to wear plugs also, to make the riding experience tolerable/better. I cannot remember what I did with my first road bike 1976-900, I must have not worn anything and just put up with the noise, for 95,000 mi. I am going faster now than back in those days on freeway anyway and was suprised just how noisy it is with a good helmet on [Shoei RF-1100]. Thanx movenon for the thread.

[soundmindryan]

I wear earplugs all the time, no matter which of my 3 full face helmets. MSR flip touring windscreen or stock, still noisy. The MSR helps keep the blast over the bottom of my helmet and keeps wind from deflecting off my chest right up under my chin bar. I even add a 4" windscreen extension on in the winter. No less noise, but keeps the cold air off my face. I haven't heard of anyone significantly reducing wind buffeting noise.  Actually, I get quieter results with my stock screen and sit up high, where my head is in clean air. OK in summer, but not good in winter. It's like sticking my head out of an airplane window. (Not that I've done that)

[andyoutandabout]

Earplugs have been part of my safety gear for years. Those howard leight ones from CVS do a great job, cutting out the roar, but letting you know if a siren or suchlike is coming your way. The bike just hums along and I don't get to hear all it's rattles and buzzes - ideal.
Andy