If you want to make your own custom fit ear plugs

[shinyribs]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radians-Custom-Molded-Ear-Plugs-10-Minute-Fit-Red-26-NRR-SHIPS-SUPER-FAST-/190647028761?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6372cc19

Incase the link dies some day,they are made by Radians. Just Google "Radians custom ear plugs"

This was just the first result.There may be a cheaper price elsewhere.

[sgtslag]

I checked into these, myself, several years ago.  I was told that these won't last as long as the ones which are molded from this type of epoxy, then mailed to you.  Don't know for sure, but I suspect the material these are made of, is not as durable as the plugs made using this type as a master to make a mold from.  Still, they're way better than foamies, for comfort (you should be able to wear these for 3+ hours; the foamies hurt after the first hour, or two...).

On WebBikeWorld.com's ear plug pages (http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm), they recommend 32 dB NRR (Noise Reduction Ratio) minimum.  Even the expensive custom plugs don't offer that level, unless you opt for the gun range type, which is more like 40-50 dB...  At that level, you pretty much won't hear anything.  Period.  For me, though, my 28 dB plugs are better than no plugs!  Foamies can be had in the 32 dB range, but long term comfort is a real challenge.

If you've never ridden with ear plugs in, give them a try:  you will find that you are way more relaxed, comfortable, and even more alert!  They block out the majority of noise which affects us no matter what we tell ourselves (you can tune out the noise, but that won't stop the permanent hearing loss, or the stress the noise puts on your body).  The foamies cost a couple of bucks -- not the most comfortable for more than an hour, but they'll prove/disprove my point for you.  The gauntlet has been thrown down.  Will you accept the challenge?


If anyone tries these inexpensive custom ear plugs, please report back after a year, and let us know how they stood up to regular usage.  We bought the more expensive units, molded from this type of epoxy, at around $100 per pair (second year of usage, no issues other than the string coming out -- applied some RTV Silicone to the hollow plugs to re-secure the strings).

If you go this route, you may want to push the end of a small string into the soft epoxy, while it is in your ear.  That way you will have a string to pull them out by.  Insert one end of the string into each ear, so that they stay together, and you will be able to extract them quite easily.  Cheers!

[shinyribs]

Thanks for the info Sarge. I have been riding with either noise isolation mp3 ear buds in,or a set of the non foamie ear plugs.The plastic ones with the rings,not sure what they are called. I prefer them over foam because they go in instantly and you dont have to wait for them to swell up. I wear ear protection constantly. I have a kickin set of ear muffs in the shop that my neighbors son brought me back from his first tour with the Marines. They are the ones he wore while loading bombs on the jets. And with all the big drills and jack hammers at work,not to mention years of driving a race car,going to the shooting range,shooting clays with buddies...im used to wearing ear plugs!lol  I've never had any comfort issue with earplug,they were just a necessary evil so I went with it.
  My main reason for wanting to try the DIY customs is to help my ear buds stay in better.I cannot find any that really fit nice and snug in my ear. Its hard to get the helmet on sometimes without knocking them out of my ear.So the putting a string in them will be my earbuds.
  I'm not looking for 100% noise reduction.  Just keep the wind noise from beating my ears to death.
   I know alot of people say it is dangerous to ride with hearing protection (ride+ protection=dangerous)but I dont see how a set of ear plugs that knock the noise down to a safe level is any more dangerous than riding in the new Buick with all the noise cancelling glass,door panels...
  When you have 55-75 mph winds roaring inside your helmet and ears you cannot here your surroundings nearly as well as you might think. You cannot hear if there is a car beside you or not. Like I said,i just want to keep the noise level down to something safe and comfortable. Riding with earplugs make you about as "deaf to your surroundings" as riding with the windows up and the A/C roaring in your car. You hang your head out the window,I'll take my plugs outOh,and dont dare turn your radio onYou listen to music while you drive a car?!?!So dangerous!!! Sorry,i'm just getting tired of hearing the dangers and woes of riding with hearing protection or listening to music.A distraction is a distraction whether you are on 2 wheels or 4. Hey,I'm on 2 wheels running 75mph between two tractor trailers on the interstate...i'm obviously willing to take a risk and must not be too concerned with my safety in the first place.

[sgtslag]

Amen, Brother!  

Most of my comments were aimed at everyone besides you.  I tend to write for anyone who might read these posts, as well as the person I respond to.  Sorry if I came across as preachy to you -- I was preaching at the folks who think earplugs are dangerous.  Cheers, Shiny!

[Re-run]

Slag just wants to be the master of the  
I knew that one would come in handy some day!
I used plugs on my long ride last summer, made a huge difference. they were foamies but they were the bullet shaped ones so a bit more comfortable but they still hurt the ears some after a while from pressure. I will take a bit of temp discomfort as opposed to permanent loss though. I should wear plugs even going to work but I dont. I think the next lid I get is going to a more quiet lid. I got my last one cause it was good but inexpensive. I think I will look around for a more quiet one now.

What do you all think of the Mac's plugs? They are a waxy style plug that is reusable, at least for a while and pretty cheap. A lot of swimmers use them and they do not need to insert far into the ear like foamies.

[LukeM]

On my first ride of the year, I went around the block one time without a helmet. (we can do that here)  Surprisingly, I remember the exhaust being louder in my head when I was wearing the helmet.  Go figure.  

I have been reading about loud pipes and ear plugs.  If a bike is too loud with stock pipes, such that one has to wear ear plugs, why run louder pipes, that REALLY necessitate wearing ear plugs?  Maybe it's like a guy who plays lead guitar at an earsplitting volume to get his signature sound, then wears ear plugs or headphones so he doesn't hurt his ears.

Maybe I'm just too old to embrace the whole appearance/vibe/look/attitude of a biker.  Maybe I'm just a guy who rides a motorcycle, but isn't a biker. Should I get rid of it so that I don't spoil the image for my fellow riders?   Should you be taking this article this seriously?

And yes, at one point, I was riding an orange juice painted 2004 Honda Metropolitan as my main source of transport.  Laugh if you want.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.

Luke M

[shinyribs]

sgtslag wrote

Amen, Brother!  

Most of my comments were aimed at everyone besides you.  I tend to write for anyone who might read these posts, as well as the person I respond to.  Sorry if I came across as preachy to you -- I was preaching at the folks who think earplugs are dangerous.  Cheers, Shiny!

No worries Sarge, I knew exactly where you were coming from. I know it ain't just you and me on here.There are other people reading ,too. Likewise,I was talking in general,not directing my comments directly at you.

I've never heard of the Mac earplugs,i may check them out. I already ordered a set of the Radians so I'm gonna give them a go first.

Luke,when my Pops had his Road Star he swapped the factory pipes out for a set called straight shots. They were loud with the baffles in,and stupid loud with them out. But whether the baffles were in or out the aftermarket pipes were much quieter than the factory TO THE RIDER. I suppose the sound waves were shooting past the rider and annoying everyone else. With the factory pipes you could hear a constant drone that was very distracting,even uncomfortable after only a few miles. With the straight shots the exhaust was very quiet from the saddle,almost ignorable really.Until you nailed that is.  The helmet I have now is very quiet compared to my old helmet,it helped alot. But I wonder,if you find a helmet that fits tight enough to act as ear muffs will it allow airflow thru the helmet and burn you up in warm weather? Just a thought.

[LukeM]

That's a possibility.  I have a size 7 1/2 helmet (HJC calls it Extra Large), so finding one that fits well, breathes well, and has the good ratings is a challenge. When I got mine 2 years ago, I also tried on the Shoei regular full face helmet.  The fit was awesome, as was the price (~$400 or so).  The HJC fit almost as well, and only cost $130.  I could upgrade helmets, and probably will if I keep riding.

Hmm...just thought of a neat sales device: a purpose built wind tunnel.  Put the helmet on, put it inside this boxy tunnel thing, start up the propellor in the front, and simulate whatever MPH you want.  Maybe find some way to pipe in exhaust noise from underneath, to check the seal around the jaw or neckline.  Hmm....

Tools, got any extra plywood at the ToolShack?
Luke M

[Scrappyike]

I wear two different helmets depending on time of year and if I'm riding two up.  I like my modular helmet which cuts out alot of the noise and wind.  When it's warm or I'm riding with the wifey, I use a shorty so I can hear her (yak yak yak).  I do wear the foam ear plugs with this helmet and still hear her or emergency vehicles.  

[shinyribs]

Luke,I am surprised that the helmet manufacturers don't do that. I would love to have a helmet wind tested against noise. I have two HJC's. One is much noisier than the other. The noisy on is a tad large for me so I used it this winter when I had my head sock on.Worked out perfect. Real quiet with that sock on too. I saw a helmet at the shop that had internal cooling fans in it and was rechargeable. That helmet had it all. Modular helmet with speakers for MP3 or cellphone,internal cooling fans and had the integrated retractable sun visor. I wanted that helmet soo bad,but $450 was out of my price range. I'll pay to protect my noggin,but not to pamper it

[rrgunslinger]

Yep, helmet's cause alot of the wind noise we put up with.  Here in Florida it is against the law to put anything in your ears so one would think that there would be some sort of reg requiring helment makers to test for and be rated for noise.  My HJC (full face) is real quiet but my half shell will make you deaf.

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 6:02 PM, shinyribs [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Luke,I am surprised that the helmet manufacturers don't do that. I would love to have a helmet wind tested against noise. I have two HJC's. One is much noisier than the other. The noisy on is a tad large for me so I used it this winter when I had my head sock on.Worked out perfect. Real quiet with that sock on too. I saw a helmet at the shop that had internal cooling fans in it and was rechargeable. That helmet had it all. Modular helmet with speakers for MP3 or cellphone,internal cooling fans and had the integrated retractable sun visor. I wanted that helmet soo bad,but $450 was out of my price range. I'll pay to protect my noggin,but not to pamper it

Montvale,Virginia
DUE TO RECENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, AND THE RISING COST OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND OIL, THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.
Remember:Computers are fun...but you can't download a finished bike.   Get to work!
Common sense is not all that common
 Piute said it best:  "wheres my 10mm?"
Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone that they have not first taken away from someone else.
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

---

If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below:

http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/If-you-want-to-make-your-own-custom-fit-ear-plugs-tp3835637p3843845.html

To start a new topic under Honda CB750'S, email [hidden email]
To unsubscribe from Honda CB750'S, click here.
NAML

[Re-run]

I think I would rather take the chance of getting a ticket than lose my hearing. State laws like this are stupid.
helmets though, should be quieter. I can see having areas around the ears for glasses, or intercoms or whatever but the outside is where most of the noise comes from, oh and under the helmet. A chin curtain that is solid, not porous, smoother shells with smoother vents, And maybe a neck curtain for lack of a better word, would all greatly reduce noise.

[rrgunslinger]

I agree and ware them anyway. 

On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 3:17 PM, Re-run [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I think I would rather take the chance of getting a ticket than lose my hearing. State laws like this are stupid.
helmets though, should be quieter. I can see having areas around the ears for glasses, or intercoms or whatever but the outside is where most of the noise comes from, oh and under the helmet. A chin curtain that is solid, not porous, smoother shells with smoother vents, And maybe a neck curtain for lack of a better word, would all greatly reduce noise.

The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!

---

If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below:

http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/If-you-want-to-make-your-own-custom-fit-ear-plugs-tp3835637p3846559.html

To start a new topic under Honda CB750'S, email [hidden email]
To unsubscribe from Honda CB750'S, click here.
NAML

[Half-Caf]

Decided to dig up this thread as I've been thinking of getting some plugs lately.
It seems that most places that do custom earplugs charge about $100 for a pair. I found a local place (Chicago) that did them and got a quote for $175 for an appointment, a mold, and a set of nifty plugs (plugs themselves were $100).

I found the Radians on amazon and read mixed reviews, but decided to try them out as they were only $11. Most negative reviews said that the 2-part silicone mixture failed to properly set and they were left with a gooey mix in their ears. Apparently the "ingredients" have a shelf life and are often sold way past their prime. Like other reviewers, I would recommend buying them directly from amazon to ensure that they are new.

Although they are sold as one pair, I decided I would make two because they come with a lot of the silicone and I wanted them to be fairly low profile for in my helmet. I just used a clean razorblade to divide the parts and molding the plugs was pretty straightforward.

Here is a shot of what I was left with after making the first pair.

Sorry for the crappy cell quality.

The plugs definitely made a big difference with both wind and engine noise. And for 2 pair I think it was $11 well spent (the second pair is setting as I type this). I stay right at 60mph for most of my daily commute and will will definitely be using these whenever I'm on my bike from now on.

[Elliot Cannon]

I am a retired pilot and have been wearing these for 40 years.  They work great.  They filter out harmful noise but you can still hear normal conversation.  

[robs750]

Elliot Cannon wrote

I am a retired pilot and have been wearing these for 40 years.  They work great.  They filter out harmful noise but you can still hear normal conversation.  

I agree,these are very good.
I wear them when I ride and wear them at work.

[Piute]

  I just go with the Lil tampons cut them a bit and there free when I walk out the door from work with them in my ears,they have some pink 1's that knock out sound great but most us just put muffs over the reg. plug when intering that room. My 3/4 shell has winter pads that hold heat pads in them noticed they block road noise N bike (farings like a mega phone)pretty dang good too. Still wont my CB radio working though.

[shinyribs]

I had forgotten all about this thread. Those Radians I put together with my ear buds in them are still holding upGood stuff,love 'em.