Do you own a motorcycle?

That is COMPLETELY WRONG. Don't spread incorrect information. The wind noise is very loud, and the more expensive more race oriented the helmet the MORE loud it is.

If I go riding for more than a 10 minute ride [my commute is <10min], I try to wear ear plugs. If I go on a 2-3+ hour ride, ear plugs are a must.

Ear plugs actually make you MORE aware because the wind noise will make you tired.

None of this is arguable, it's all fact.

I road for years without them and wish I had wore them before. Obviously you can* ride without them, but I'd do it.

By the way, the loud exhaust comment is wrong. Loud exhausts while on the freeway are barely audible by the rider, the noise is mostly behind the bike. Wind noise is the killer.

 

Bad advice? You're spreading opinion, not fact. Just because you measure sound levels does not mean that it's causing hearing loss.

Did that wind tunnel study of police bikes change the departments policy and they now require all mounted officers to wear ear plugs?

Even that quote says that it's their opinion, not, "because of scientifically proven facts, we all wear ear plugs."

Can helmets be noisy, sure, do they cause hearing loss? Who knows.

Just because you don't agree does not make it bad advice.

 

Yes, I've owned several and have ridden for years.

Where's the fact that it causes hearing loss?

If you can prove to me that it does, I'll gladly concede that you are correct and that I gave bad advice.

 

WOW!! Easy guys!!! Who cares about F-ing earplugs!!! If you want to ride with them... do, it does help with loud exhaust. If not, buy a really expensive helmet that does HELP shield out MORE noise. I have yet to see a REQUIREMENT for ear plugs....

I agree that this one is OPINION based. Nothing to do with BAD ADVICE.

"Be cool my babies"-Conan O'Brien

 

-dont trust anyone over 30y old, bike performance and acceptance of safety gear has improved changed.
-do the local mc shops and figure what gear will fit you then look for it online, craigslist, gixxer.com whatever. there is a large turn over in this sport so you can expect the best even from craigslist.
-any size bike >500cc will work, keep the vehicle weight down. avoid extensive plastic flarings. its really the rider's attitude that gets into trouble. using that logic get a 1 liter bike. Serious, take the safety course, there are some good reads on the subject, do some corner work at a local mc race org. Safety is kinda a matter of probability, even the best rider can crash when he gets hit by lightning.
-Have a secure place to park over night or the tools to work on a hi maintenance bike.
-dont do as stupid, gloves, boots helmet, jacket are all necessary. yes ear plugs too. all this every time you get on the bike.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I'll look into getting a set of ear plugs to test them out and see how that goes.

As far as 500cc bikes go, do you guys have any recommendations? The Buell Blast seems to be decently regarded and reminds me of the Ducati Monster. I didn't see many offerings from Suzuki, Honda, or Yamaha. Hows the 500r from Kawasaki? It seems a little outdated and not as recently updated as the 250r (redone in 2008?).

Interesting -- I didn't really think of this. Most of my riding will probably be in the city (Berkeley) and I won't be on the freeway much. Initially I was more worried about not being able to hear cars behind me etc. but then again what're mirrors for.

From what I've seen, technology does change and it seems to change especially fast with motorcycles. Definitely doesn't mean what they say doesn't carry weight, especially if they're still riding. Just my point of view. I definitely appreciate everyone who's taken the time to chime in and their goodwill.

Good idea. I'll do this as soon as I've narrowed down a bike.

After doing everything to be safe, this'll definitely be the case.


Once again, thanks guys and please keep it coming. Surely I'll have more to learn!

 

We safety nuts are just getting hyper because you and others ask for advice. When we see obviously incorrect advice we try to make it obvious to the newbies as well.

3ngin33r1, just how many links to responsible sources do I need to find for you? Do you have ANY links that say otherwise, riding without plugs is safe if you wear a good helmet, other than Rip's Bad Ride advice?

 

I don't need to prove it to you to make it right, I'll do it anyways because I'd rather help your future hearing. BTW this took 10 seconds so next time look it up yourself.

http://www.ridemyown.com/articles/safety/earplugs.shtml

by Dr. Mike Coley (throat/ear/mouth surgeon)
[I]"Now how does all this tie into riding motorcycles? Well, we all know that there is a lot of wind noise when we ride at speeds of about fifty miles per hour or more. And for those of us who ride with little or no fairing or windshield this noise can be pretty loud. Exposure to this degree of noise will cause damage to those hair cells that are located in the hearing portion of our ears. [U]This is not a

 

You don't need to prove it to make it right? Santa is real too right?

I already DID look it up and read the site you quoted already. The text doesn't even match the graphs that are displayed there.

You've got one doctor with an observation and opinion, that's not hard data and that's not a study proving that ear plugs prevent hearing loss on a motorcycle or proves that not wearing them while riding does.

There isn't a whole lot of data out there showing it one way or another and the majority of the search results either reference the ridemyown site or webbike's opinion that they are good for you.

Just because 1000 people quote 2 sources does not make it true.

Has there ever been a long-term, controlled study that proves there will be hearing loss if you do not wear ear plugs?

If there has, I'm pretty sure every state would allow the use of ear plugs on motorcycles or there would be plenty of lawsuits and regulations would get changed in a hurry.

I've got some quotes from doctors that say male enhancement pills work too, would you believe them too? I can find more then 2...

Wearing them won't hurt you, but you've provided no evidence that you will be hurt if you don't wear them and said that anyone who says otherwise is giving bad advice.

Wearing full body armor will help you in a wreck too, and there's data to back that up, why don't you recommend that along with your ear plugs?

 

C'mon guys, let's make up. No need to continue arguing over this topic.

If highway noises are indeed over 120 decibels, I will wear ear plugs.