Decibel Level while riding - Earplugs?

[spd_demon]

Hey all,

This is my first year riding and I noticed that it can get pretty loud out on the road with loud pipes, shortly helmet and traffic noise. I have heard that the decibel level can acceed 300. Do you all wear ear protection? I'm thinking about it but when it comes time to ride this is a last thought and often forgotten. I know older riders that have terrible hearing now from years of riding.

Thoughts?

[moto_hanki]

I always wear ear plugs. I enjoy being able to hear and would like to continue to do so.

As I understand it, it is the duration as well as the decible level that have a long term negative afftect.

[Ninja Geoff]

If i'm riding to more than work, yes, i use earplugs.

[Bachstrad37]

I don't know where you got your stats of 300db from, but the loudest sub nuclear explosion is a rocket launching from a launching pad at 1 meter is 180db. A jet engine at 1 meter while taking off registers at 150db. An unbaffled cruiser will sit around 90-110db.

I wear a half helmet without earplugs and barely notice my stock pipes (baffled) at 65-70mph. What I do hear is a lot of wind noise. And yeah, it's loud. I now wear earplugs along with my half helmet if I go out riding for longer than 10 minutes. Otherwise, my full face without earplugs is more than adequate.

My advice stems will vary with the type of helmet you choose. Some low quality full helmet are still loud, but it's a lot quieter than a half helmet.

Here's the link of common decibel ranges: http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm

[VermilionX]

i know some poeple that do wear them.

me... i don't mind the engine noise.

i've actually developed this joy of hearing my I-4 scream, especially when i push it hard, especially around 10-12K rpm.

[dieziege]

It isn't about engine noise... most of the noise is wind and helmet noise. And it can be very loud at times. It is usually worst when I'm riding in a crosswind... the windshield and fairing are no longer deflecting air away from the helmet and things really start moaning.

Perhaps 25% of riders wear earplugs, and those riders are extremely vocal about the benefits.... including me... I always wear them...well, I've ridden a few times (including on the freeway) without ear plugs, but find wearing them more pleasant.

[VermilionX]

It isn't about engine noise... most of the noise is wind

that's true when im at 5K and below rpms.

but when im at higher rpms, the engine makes more noise than the wind.

[dieziege]

Then you are wasting fuel and not going fast enough.

[VermilionX]

Then you are wasting fuel and not going fast enough.

not going fast enough is right but i am accelerating faster though.

[dieziege]

If you want to accelerate fast get into real drag racing....in real race cars. Anything else... you might as well just buy an airline ticket for the "takeoff rush".

Back to the point... you can and will do irreversible damage to your hearing if you ride without earplugs. Or if you go to a rock concert. Or if you are in costco looking at watches when someone trips the jewelry box alarm... run power tools without hearing protection.... or do all sorts of other things. Some of those you can control. Others you cannot... and all will cumulatively reduce the sensitivity of your hearing and the quality of your life.

Personally, I used to be horrible about protecting my hearing. And I'm starting to regret it... which means I'm starting to get paranoid about doing further damage... and I wish something had convinced me to be more careful at 20 instead of at 30.