I'm riding an 06 Sportster with very loud pipes. I began riding this with a Half-Shell helmet and ear plugs. The wind noise and the pipes are killing my ears even with the ear plugs. Will three-quarter-length helmet that fits tight deafen much of this noise? Any better ear plug out there other than just foam?

 

I would imagine it would,
another option would be to ride faster than the speed of sound

 

If you could find something, the problem with excessive sound damping to the point that you don't hear the pipes is that you wont hear much of anything--cars, horns, etc.... probably not a good idea.

loud pipes may save lives but they come with a price..You are finding out what that price is--you will annoy even yourself on longer rides and probably even damage your own hearing over time. IMO I would get a new set of pipes before trying to dampen out more sound,.

 

I am a 3/4 helmet kind of a guy, so I can tell you if you get a 3/4 helmet, that fits so tight, that it's uncomfortable, yes it will dampen the noise, but not very much. That right there is why I put stock mufflers back on my bike, I got tired of the noise and I do not like being wore plumb out when I get to the end of the day.

 

I went with a modular helmet, full face would probably be even better. That plus foam ear plugs does the job for me.

 

A 3/4 helmet and earplugs will be better than what you're using at the moment, but a full face and earplugs would be better still.

 

How about changing the mufflers so the rest of the world gets to enjoy a little less noise?

Sorry guys if it is too loud for you as a rider, it is obnoxiously loud to everyone else....

There has to be some good "take off" pipes somewhere that will make a compromise possible

 

+1

 

Loud pipes makes lane-splitting much safer

 

It will keep direct wind off your ears. I'd think it would be significantly quieter than a half or (heaven forbid) no helmet.