Tinnitus, ears ringing?

[movenon]

....... one of those minor things that seem to go on in life that you just keep putting up with Noel.

George

George, I hope that was just poor composition and not a Freudian slip!

Not as it sounded my friend. 
George

[red]

Thanks all,
Even when it's not what I want to hear, that doesn't mean I won't listen.    The FJ is the strongest bike I ever had, so I know some new things will surprise me (like some ringing in the ears).  I guess I will have to deal with the problem, rather than ignore it. 
Never thought of wind noise as a real hazard, but I guess I was never riding at sub-sonic speeds before, either.    I do have a good collection of earplugs, so I'll see what is needed, here.

I'm still interested in the windscreen as a sound focusing item, and what to do about it.  I guess some thin sonic ("eggcrate") foam could be a little help, but a better shape would probably help a lot more.  Any advice on after-market windscreens and noise levels would be welcome.  That's a mod I could live with, too.

Cheers,
Red

[andyb]

I don't crash every time I ride, but I'm exposed to damaging wind noise every time.

The other benefit is with plugs in, you can ride for longer distances with less fatigue.  One of the reasons why I used to be so tired the day after putting serious miles on (other than being fat, old, out of shape, etc) was the noise hangover effect.  Not unlike spending the day at a loud concert or racetrack.  With the plugs in, I'm able to maintain concentration for longer, and stay safer when riding.

As far as using my ears to "see" the world around me, I can do that with the plugs in... but I also use my eyes for things I can see, and my brain to fill in things that could potentially happen, but aren't visible.  It's been a long, LONG time since I was surprised by the presence of anything on the road suddenly appearing close to me. 

Of course the last time that it happened, it was a set of blue and red lights behind me, and I hadn't seen them because the officer was parked well back from the road in such a position that he wasn't a physical threat, and I wasn't "looking" for him as such.  Punched me right in the wallet, though.   

[anson45]

I've had tinnitus since what seems like forever. As kids we would shoot shotguns like some kids shoot BB guns. Then there were the bikes. I went to college in Fl. I would commute 75 miles a day between home and work and home and school. Then ride my butt off all weekend. No ear plugs, too dumb/ arrogant to know I needed them. Discovered ear protection in 1991. If I ride all day without plugs my ears just scream. I had custom plugs, but they were too firm. The vibration was transmitted through the firmness to my skull. My audiologist says I hear better through my skull than I do through my ears. I had to go back to the softer plugs and the softer stock seat, the Corbin is too firm. I'm on my fourth set of hearing aids. They are not cheap. They help, now the outside noise drowns out the tinnitus.
WEAR YOUR EAR PLUGS!
Anson

[ken65]

i forgot to add in my earlier reply for years i shot rifles as a teenager,big loud ones, never with plugs, certainly did a fair bit of damage

[FJSpringy]

hey at least with tinnitus you're never alone 

with practice you can filter it out, don't ask me how I know 

[skymasteres]

I don't crash every time I ride, but I'm exposed to damaging wind noise every time.

"I don't crash every time I ride, but when I do, I prefer to be wearing all my gear..."

(Sorry couldn't help it)


I have a set of these and they work well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A28OW6/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But I definitely agree with the wind noise and buffeting on the FJ is nothing short of abysmal.
It puts the air right at the point to focus everything on your helmet by your ears.

[fj11.5]

I just bought a set of diy custom earplugs, take  a look on ebay as usual  231015879927.  They may be ok, I usually wear the he ones have to be rolled up then fitted, allways have done, but mostly on rides longer than 15 minutes, unless I remember before I ride the 20 mins to town to fit them    must be getting old , used to wear them no matter how far I was going, copped some crap for that 

[Tapartacus]

On my 92 with stock windshield the wind noise is quite pronounced. I'm 5' 11", if I get up off the seat 5 or so inches above the fairing the noise almost completely goes away. I think Noel commented on that as well. I think this has been asked and answered but do the wind shield add on deflectors help?

Andrew

[Arnie]

I haven't seen any commercial add-on deflectors that make much difference.
I've added a deflector that uses the 'mail slot' and adds another 7" of height to my '91.
I'm 6'1" tall and the airflow now just misses my helmet. I am still looking over the upper lip.
You may be able to use a deflector that is a bit shorter, as you are shorter.



Arnie