I have tried various ear plugs and none seem to work well for me. Does anyone know what the pros use since they are exposed to extraneously loud exhaust sound for a prolonged period of time. Thank you
I don't know what pro racers wear, but I have a set of custom molded earplugs made by an audiologist. They have different filters available. I currently use musician rated filters, since I want to be able to hear the intercom.
Rossi seems to use the foam jobs.
I currently use the rubbery mushroom-style ones.
I had a pair of custom ones made at the moto show. They work great. [thumbsup]
FWIW... I have narrow ear openings (lm says I'm deaf), so I use the foam spongy kind. The trick to getting them into a tight space is to moisten the tip after you roll it into a point.
I use NASCAR Moldex foam from Earplug Superstore. once inserted correctly Class 5 protection. I reuse them many times with no apparent loss of protection. Licensed by NASCAR.
Quote from: bobspapa on March 19, 2013, 03:50:51 PM
The trick to getting them into a tight space is to moisten the tip after you roll it into a point.
ick! [puke]
I use "Hearo" brand. Most comfortable I can find. I have the custom moulded ones but find the attenuation and comfort better with the Hearos.
I use custom moulded, Fit ear, http://www.fit-ear.com (http://www.fit-ear.com) , also make racing and other specialty ear plugs and monitors. I found them at Moto GP, Laguna Seca and had good event discounts.
They are not much more quieter than most ear plugs, but they stay in my ears and give constant protection. My strange ear canal shape causes most ear plugs to slip out of my right ear after a few minutes of wearing them.
I use these...
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Uncorded-Earplugs-Value-390-1000/dp/B0006GWRY0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363762197&sr=8-2&keywords=e.a.r.+ear+plugs (http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Uncorded-Earplugs-Value-390-1000/dp/B0006GWRY0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363762197&sr=8-2&keywords=e.a.r.+ear+plugs)
They're rated to 29db, which is class 5 as well.
I usually get anywhere from a week to a month worth of usage out of 1 pair, depending on how often I'm riding. Some people have said they can get longer by washing them but I really don't see the need when you can get 200 pair for around $20.
I think these are available at Home Depot or Lowes, so you can buy a pair or two just to try them out.
Hope this helps [thumbsup] [Dolph]
I've got some foamies rated for 32.
FWIW if you got for the customs - at least one of the common silicones used is NOT gasoline proof. Friend managed to drop hers down the filler neck at the track. When it was retrieved a day later it had about tripled in size and was more like jello... flammable jello
WOW! Lots of MotoGP and WSBK racers on this forum I didn't know about!! ;D
As of Indy MotoGP 2009 (Had an all access pit pass so I was annoying as shit to as many teams as I could be):
Rossi does use foam plugs. No clue of the brand as they wouldn't let me close enough.
Lorenzo looked to use something similar.
Nicky wore what looked like rubber shooter plugs.
Colin was using foam plugs.
So was Toseland.
Saw one or two wearing custom molded ones but most seemed to use the regular every day foam or rubber kind.
I have pretty sensitive ears and use the foam ones with the rounded tips. My earbuds have a similar foam that I will use on short rides.
Quote from: Triple J on March 19, 2013, 03:29:53 PM
I had a pair of custom ones made at the moto show. They work great. [thumbsup]
Thanks for the replies everyone this helps! Triple J what brand are your custom ones? I think I need to get custom ones because the one that goes in my left hear slips out easily. I will also try, as suggested to wet the tip of the plug after rolling it and putting in hear.
Quote from: lillo on March 21, 2013, 07:28:51 PM
Thanks for the replies everyone this helps! Triple J what brand are your custom ones? I think I need to get custom ones because the one that goes in my left hear slips out easily. I will also try, as suggested to wet the tip of the plug after rolling it and putting in hear.
I think they were from "Now Hear This". They had a booth at the motorcycle show a few years ago. They're made from silicone that was injected into my ears and hardened.
has anyone tried the Sonic Defenders? I wanted to pick up a set but don't know anyone with FHE
http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html (http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html)
Quote from: Privateer on March 22, 2013, 06:22:23 AM
has anyone tried the Sonic Defenders? I wanted to pick up a set but don't know anyone with FHE
http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html (http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html)
I have a pair. Maybe they are good for shooting, but I am mot impressed with the job they do on a bike.
thanks Triple J, I will check into it. Today I tried to wet the tip of my foam -31db plugs and they seem to fit in better and not fall out. [thumbsup]
Years ago I worked in a shingle manufacturing plant where we had to wear ear protection the entire time we were onsite. I could never get the stupid foam plugs to stay in, so I switched to the bulky headphone style protection. About three years ago I was watching WSBK and happened to see Biaggi licking his finger tips before rolling the tips of his ear plugs....BAM...problem solved.
Quote from: Slide Panda on March 21, 2013, 12:37:23 PM
I've got some foamies rated for 32.
FWIW if you got for the customs - at least one of the common silicones used is NOT gasoline proof. Friend managed to drop hers down the filler neck at the track. When it was retrieved a day later it had about tripled in size and was more like jello... flammable jello
Otherwise known as redneck napalm
I just spit on it, thin out the end whit my fingers and push it as far as i can in the hear canal, let it expand by itself .... ;D..... problem solved
Quote from: howie on March 22, 2013, 12:09:57 PM
I have a pair. Maybe they are good for shooting, but I am mot impressed with the job they do on a bike.
Probably because they are designed to protect against sudden sharp increases in sound (gunshots) instead of the constant racket of an exhaust or wind noise in your helmet. I'd recommend foam plugs instead.
Never worn any ear plugs before, but this thread got me looking for one ... [thumbsup] Found a local resource and bought 5 pairs of EAR UltraFit ear plugs. Started using it last week and I'm still getting used to it. I found out that my Sena bluetooth helmet speakers sound better when I wear the ear plugs.
I have a pair of custom musician plugs. Just call a hearing specialist and set up an appointment. These plugs are great, very comfortable and I can still hear everything around me.
Given that I lose the foam ear plugs about once every three rides I am gonna skip the custom ones. I will give huge props to whomever posted the wet them first tip. Can't thank you enough they finally stay in and actually dampen the sound better. Kinda rough giving oneself a wet willy but the end result ain't all that bad [thumbsup]
My ear canals are shaped a bit funny, so I have to use a custom earpiece at work. Otherwise, I use the Moldex Rockets and 3M EAR Ultra Fits. Great dB reduction, good durability, and they're relatively cheap insurance against hearing loss. Seeing how hearing loss from motorcycles/machine shop noise/etc. has affected my dad, I use the plugs all the time.
Found both of those in a sample pack I picked up from Aerostitch (http://www.aerostich.com/clothing/visibility-protection/earplugs).
For bulk purchase, I went to earplugstore.com (http://www.earplugstore.com).