I'll be honest, I was blissfully unaware on just how important these must be. Had no idea prolonged wind/road & even bike/traffic noise can affect you in the long-term. Thanks for the informative video on the subject.
I have it also and do own custom made plugs.The audiologist told me the damping is between 25 and 30 decibels.For me it could even be 40,but they don't exist I'm afraid.
I can't believe people don't use them either, I'm always telling mates to wear them but they don't. When I first started riding I used to get off the bike with my ears ringing until I started wearing plugs. I remember they felt weird at first but you adapt and get used to them, now I can't ride without them. Ear protection reduces fatigue and help you concentrate. I used to get those foam ones too which were fine but they get manky quick and need replacing all the time. I now use custom made UltimateEar Sound Ears... expensive but great. I can listen to music-radio-GPS-phone via the Cardo Scala Q3 bluetooth (the only BT device with a 3.5mm audio output). They're actually good value over the long term too, especially as I ride everyday. I had my last pair like 5 years before I somehow lost them and had to get a replacement set made. I would never go back to anything other than custom made electronic ear buds. Eagerly waiting for UltimateEar to finalise the BT custom ear plugs but it's a way off yet.
+StallyMan thanks matey, I have been thinking of the custom ones and it's nice to hear (pardon the pun lol) someone that has used them talk about them. Might have to try some ;) thanks for Sharing the info
I was at the NEC bike show years back and came across fitted ear plugs ..Love them. A bit more expensive but last for years if properly cared for. The only "icky" part is the block injecting the jell in to your ear to get the molding.
+Michael Dignum I saw them at the show last year but didn’t venture down that road. Depends whether there are any deal on this year, but heard the moulded ones are good
Hi guys, great video and a very good topic to discuss as always. I have Custom Fit Guards that have filters installed to allow me to hear conversation and music alike. They cost £94 but (unless I lose them) they shouldn't need replacing; being custom made to fit my ears, they are mega comfortable. The service I got from the company was first rate and I consider them to be a high quality product and value for money. That's not to say what you use are any less quality, it's all about fitness for purpose and these do it for me. Cheers, Andy
+Andrew Tofts they sound good Andy. I'll have a look at them. Always wanted custom ones but never actually managed to get any. Riding got in the way. Hahah. :)
Great video as usual. I never used to wear earplugs, but gave it a try. It certainly does make a big difference. I use Boots wax earplugs. Easy, disposable, comfortable & quite cheap. Reference to your Surefire earplugs, there is now the EP10 version. One slightly negative point on your video is the echo. Probably have the microphone nearer or a clip one.
I use surefire on my bike and also at work, if they can drown out 3x 2000hp diesel engines then they must be good, they are also noise cancelling so you can still hold a conversation whilst wearing them.
With my job I have to wear ear plugs and company buys us the soft foam or ear muffs i like the foam and we get the ones with string on there great on the bike and when you stop you dont put them in your pocket to get all mucky just let them hang and then easy to find when you off again.
Fitted ear plugs are the way to go for me. Tried all the other cones, foams, etc. The fitted plugs protect much better, still allow plenty of hearing and are very easy to clean. Worth the extra initial expense for sure.
was looking for a video on this subject because for all the videos about motorcycles on UA-cam i've maybe only seen the big guys in the community cover this once or twice and It really annoys me the amount of guys I know who won't go 2 minutes down the road without wearing full leathers yet are naïve enough to never wear ear plugs and I have to shout at some of my friends but they still don't listen it's infuriating. personally I used to use disposable foam ones about 2 months ago I bought no noise rubber ones and I think I'm going back to the disposables they're just better tools for the job is the strange reality that a cheap disposable thing works better than something claiming to be sophisticated design
Hi Guys I always use Spark Plug Ear plugs too as they are so soft and do not make my ear ache. Just on the off chance, Have either of you tried the No noise ceramic filter earplugs for Motorbikes/motorsports by any chance. Was looking for a more reusable solution but wondered if you had and if they 1. were any good and 2. didn't hurt your ears? Thanks either way guys, really enjoy your videos. ATB.
Hey Wayne, haven't tried those that have been professionally made but i have tried the kits at hime. To be honest i didn't get on that well with them as they became uncomfortable after a while. I have had a few friends that used the professionally made ones, but they suffered the same uncomfortable feeling so i have stuck with the pinlock and alpine ear plugs and wear them all day and they are so comfortable... If we get chance in the future we will try the professional ceramic ones. The pinlock and alpine ones are reuse-able and easy to clean and after Mark converting me to them i use them all the time... one pair has lasted me nearly 7 months now... Hope this helps matey, and thank you for the kind words as it means a lot to us both. Safe Riding matey.... :)
My opening line was going to be 'pardon' but you beat me too it ;-) Good topic this, I wear earplugs on longer journeys but it makes it harder to hear my wife through the intercom (don't say it). But I have a plan, I need an intercom that works with a standard 3.5mm socket so I can use in ear headphones. Our current intercom doesn't have a 3.5mm socket or work very well with music and the intercom. So after much research I'm looking to get a pair of Scala Freecom 2's which should sort all the current issues I have. A bit off topic there but thanks for sharing your experiences.
Ah now the Freecom was on my list but I need a pair of units that allow the streaming of music and the intercom kicks in automatically then when the talking (telling me off for going over that pot hole) has finished the music kicks back in automatically. The Freecom (F2) doesn't do that, you have to manually start the music again. AFAIK the Scala is the only one to offer the intercom/music integration. Thanks for the tip though. I am actually watching a pair of F4's on eBay that finish soon, currently at £1.20 so might take a punt if they stay that cheap......
+DervMan ah cool. My mate uses an interphone and also an autocom system I think where it's hard wired to the bike with a Bluetooth model where he can listen to music through that and also speak across the autocom but I think he has 2 sets of speakers in his helmet which would be a pain for me. I don't pair my headset with the sat nav as I had the same issue as your having as I'd be talking away and then got interrupted by the sat nav. Was a real pain. If you find a solution I'd be really interested to hear. :)
I originally used an autocom but all the leads killed the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), so went with the uClear system as there's no boom. Works well but the music/intercom thing bugs me as I end up wearing earbuds for music and the in helmet speakers for the intercom but the earbuds really dull the intercom quality. I emailed the 'big' intercom manufacturers and here's Scala response, which is exactly what I'm after. Music takes a lower priority than the intercom connection between headsets. The intercom must be activated before you will be able to speak back and forth, which can be done using the VOX feature (voice activation - activated by speaking a word loudly or making a sound into the microphone such as “WEW!”) or with the Intercom button on the headset. When the intercom is activated, the music and music sharing will stop. Once the intercom is closed, music will return to the primary headset from there. Music must then be shared again - it will not share automatically. If the intercom is activated using VOX, it will close automatically after both users stop speaking for 30 seconds. If the intercom is activated with the Intercom button, it will remain open and will only close after one user taps their Intercom button on their device. On our newest products, the scala rider FREECOM 2 and FREECOM 4 units, music sharing works in a similar fashion and will cut out when the intercom is activated. However, on these models, music sharing will return automatically once the intercom is closed.
Makes me laugh. All these bikers going on about great sounding engines and changing stock exhausts for louder after market ones, then they go and stick earplugs in LOL
earplugs are a way to save your hearing and filter the frequency of the wind and other noises out, they do allow you to hear everything that is going on and also to hear the engine. You can't fix your hearing once its damaged!
I'll be honest, I was blissfully unaware on just how important these must be.
Had no idea prolonged wind/road & even bike/traffic noise can affect you in the long-term.
Thanks for the informative video on the subject.
I suffer a tad with tinnitus..... Your video could help riders avoid the problems I face. Well done guys.
+Max Flight thanks mate. Using the right ear protection is paramount we think to a comfortable ride. And of course protecting you hearing too. :)
I have it also and do own custom made plugs.The audiologist told me the damping is between 25 and 30 decibels.For me it could even be 40,but they don't exist I'm afraid.
I can't believe people don't use them either, I'm always telling mates to wear them but they don't. When I first started riding I used to get off the bike with my ears ringing until I started wearing plugs. I remember they felt weird at first but you adapt and get used to them, now I can't ride without them. Ear protection reduces fatigue and help you concentrate. I used to get those foam ones too which were fine but they get manky quick and need replacing all the time. I now use custom made UltimateEar Sound Ears... expensive but great. I can listen to music-radio-GPS-phone via the Cardo Scala Q3 bluetooth (the only BT device with a 3.5mm audio output). They're actually good value over the long term too, especially as I ride everyday. I had my last pair like 5 years before I somehow lost them and had to get a replacement set made. I would never go back to anything other than custom made electronic ear buds. Eagerly waiting for UltimateEar to finalise the BT custom ear plugs but it's a way off yet.
+StallyMan thanks matey, I have been thinking of the custom ones and it's nice to hear (pardon the pun lol) someone that has used them talk about them. Might have to try some ;) thanks for Sharing the info
I was at the NEC bike show years back and came across fitted ear plugs ..Love them. A bit more expensive but last for years if properly cared for. The only "icky" part is the block injecting the jell in to your ear to get the molding.
+Michael Dignum I saw them at the show last year but didn’t venture down that road. Depends whether there are any deal on this year, but heard the moulded ones are good
Hi guys, great video and a very good topic to discuss as always. I have Custom Fit Guards that have filters installed to allow me to hear conversation and music alike. They cost £94 but (unless I lose them) they shouldn't need replacing; being custom made to fit my ears, they are mega comfortable. The service I got from the company was first rate and I consider them to be a high quality product and value for money. That's not to say what you use are any less quality, it's all about fitness for purpose and these do it for me. Cheers, Andy
+Andrew Tofts they sound good Andy. I'll have a look at them. Always wanted custom ones but never actually managed to get any. Riding got in the way. Hahah. :)
Great video as usual. I never used to wear earplugs, but gave it a try. It certainly does make a big difference. I use Boots wax earplugs. Easy, disposable, comfortable & quite cheap. Reference to your Surefire earplugs, there is now the EP10 version. One slightly negative point on your video is the echo. Probably have the microphone nearer or a clip one.
thanks buddy. they are such a great asset to a ride :) Ride safe :)
I use surefire on my bike and also at work, if they can drown out 3x 2000hp diesel engines then they must be good, they are also noise cancelling so you can still hold a conversation whilst wearing them.
Cool, thanks for the info Craig. :)
With my job I have to wear ear plugs and company buys us the soft foam or ear muffs i like the foam and we get the ones with string on there great on the bike and when you stop you dont put them in your pocket to get all mucky just let them hang and then easy to find when you off again.
Fitted ear plugs are the way to go for me. Tried all the other cones, foams, etc. The fitted plugs protect much better, still allow plenty of hearing and are very easy to clean. Worth the extra initial expense for sure.
was looking for a video on this subject because for all the videos about motorcycles on UA-cam i've maybe only seen the big guys in the community cover this once or twice and It really annoys me the amount of guys I know who won't go 2 minutes down the road without wearing full leathers yet are naïve enough to never wear ear plugs and I have to shout at some of my friends but they still don't listen it's infuriating. personally I used to use disposable foam ones about 2 months ago I bought no noise rubber ones and I think I'm going back to the disposables they're just better tools for the job is the strange reality that a cheap disposable thing works better than something claiming to be sophisticated design
+killallsuvivors 100% with you on that one mate. You have to look after your ears. Only get one set ;)
Hi Guys I always use Spark Plug Ear plugs too as they are so soft and do not make my ear ache. Just on the off chance, Have either of you tried the No noise ceramic filter earplugs for Motorbikes/motorsports by any chance. Was looking for a more reusable solution but wondered if you had and if they 1. were any good and 2. didn't hurt your ears? Thanks either way guys, really enjoy your videos. ATB.
Hey Wayne, haven't tried those that have been professionally made but i have tried the kits at hime. To be honest i didn't get on that well with them as they became uncomfortable after a while. I have had a few friends that used the professionally made ones, but they suffered the same uncomfortable feeling so i have stuck with the pinlock and alpine ear plugs and wear them all day and they are so comfortable...
If we get chance in the future we will try the professional ceramic ones. The pinlock and alpine ones are reuse-able and easy to clean and after Mark converting me to them i use them all the time... one pair has lasted me nearly 7 months now...
Hope this helps matey, and thank you for the kind words as it means a lot to us both.
Safe Riding matey.... :)
My opening line was going to be 'pardon' but you beat me too it ;-) Good topic this, I wear earplugs on longer journeys but it makes it harder to hear my wife through the intercom (don't say it). But I have a plan, I need an intercom that works with a standard 3.5mm socket so I can use in ear headphones. Our current intercom doesn't have a 3.5mm socket or work very well with music and the intercom. So after much research I'm looking to get a pair of Scala Freecom 2's which should sort all the current issues I have. A bit off topic there but thanks for sharing your experiences.
+DervMan that made me chuckle. Hehe. I use the interphone and the F5MC has a 2.5mm jack and with a converter might be an option ;)
Ah now the Freecom was on my list but I need a pair of units that allow the streaming of music and the intercom kicks in automatically then when the talking (telling me off for going over that pot hole) has finished the music kicks back in automatically. The Freecom (F2) doesn't do that, you have to manually start the music again. AFAIK the Scala is the only one to offer the intercom/music integration. Thanks for the tip though. I am actually watching a pair of F4's on eBay that finish soon, currently at £1.20 so might take a punt if they stay that cheap......
+DervMan ah cool. My mate uses an interphone and also an autocom system I think where it's hard wired to the bike with a Bluetooth model where he can listen to music through that and also speak across the autocom but I think he has 2 sets of speakers in his helmet which would be a pain for me. I don't pair my headset with the sat nav as I had the same issue as your having as I'd be talking away and then got interrupted by the sat nav. Was a real pain. If you find a solution I'd be really interested to hear. :)
I originally used an autocom but all the leads killed the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), so went with the uClear system as there's no boom. Works well but the music/intercom thing bugs me as I end up wearing earbuds for music and the in helmet speakers for the intercom but the earbuds really dull the intercom quality. I emailed the 'big' intercom manufacturers and here's Scala response, which is exactly what I'm after.
Music takes a lower priority than the intercom connection between headsets. The intercom must be activated before you will be able to speak back and forth, which can be done using the VOX feature (voice activation - activated by speaking a word loudly or making a sound into the microphone such as “WEW!”) or with the Intercom button on the headset.
When the intercom is activated, the music and music sharing will stop. Once the intercom is closed, music will return to the primary headset from there. Music must then be shared again - it will not share automatically.
If the intercom is activated using VOX, it will close automatically after both users stop speaking for 30 seconds. If the intercom is activated with the Intercom button, it will remain open and will only close after one user taps their Intercom button on their device.
On our newest products, the scala rider FREECOM 2 and FREECOM 4 units, music sharing works in a similar fashion and will cut out when the intercom is activated. However, on these models, music sharing will return automatically once the intercom is closed.
+DervMan thanks for the comprehensive update matey. It never seems easy to get what we want in our helmets. :/
I re use them until they look dirty, but after about 5 times they don't recover as well
Makes me laugh. All these bikers going on about great sounding engines and changing stock exhausts for louder after market ones, then they go and stick earplugs in LOL
earplugs are a way to save your hearing and filter the frequency of the wind and other noises out, they do allow you to hear everything that is going on and also to hear the engine. You can't fix your hearing once its damaged!
Volume is much too low!
+Marc Archambault thanks marc, got a new mic in the post ;)
To late