Forum

[Steve T]

Hi everyone, I know it's a personal choice, but do you wear earplugs when riding or not, I know a lot of modern bike riders do but they are probably riding faster than we do.

[papasmurf]

I always wear earplugs. But then I also wear aircraft carrier flight deck ear muffs when the band starts playing at motorcycle rallies.

[Geoff B in Kent]

Eh? (Sorry but someone had to...) Yes always. I spend a lot of time with music and my ears are valuable to me. Family history puts me at high risk too and the process has definitely started so I think it's sensible. Also I forgot them once and the bike sounded like a can of nails. Frightening. But it's mainly windnoise that I like to lose. Not as important on the RE as on my SV650S. But yes every time.

[Leon Novello]

Always wear them, for the engine and wind noise, my wife and I also wear them at concerts where there is loud music. Once you damage your hearing, there is no cure. Similar to the Diners Club commercial, Never leave home without them.

[Lee B]

I agree - Earplugs are an essential bit of kit. I allways wear them especially since i've discovered these 'auritech hearing protectors'. A lot more comfortable than the disposable earplugs and you can hear the engineexhaust rather than the wind noise.

[neddy]

Being a slightly deaf old git who still does not wear them most of the time, please wear them as I wished I took the advice 40+ years ago both in industry and bike riding, also never ride without eye protection of some kind, every generation makes the same mistakes, Why is that ?.

[Les]

I do not wear ear plugs as my bikes have the factory fitted exhausts and are not to noisy, but my hearing has been affected by working in noisy environments many years ago ear protection was not used then

[RoSy]

Always wear them, I like to feel your in a slight vacuum, the engine and exhaust is still audible but oblivious to the mechanical clatter, and for some reason I ride a bit faster and push a bit harder. Had a great ride around Dorset and Devon yesterday got absolutely soaked but a great 140 mile trip . (amazing fuel consumption on these bikes).

[wilf]

I don't use 'em, but recently dug out an old jet helmet with minimum padding for summer use. Good greif! what an alarming clatter coming from the engine/transmission. I soon went back to my well padded modern lid. Ignorance is bliss.