I've got continuous tinitus/ringing in the ears, probably from a combination of shooting and riding loud 2-stroke bikes without hearing protection when I was a teen, and being around very loud toys while in the military. So I always use the disposable plugs (they fit me the best) and keep a few packages with me on trips. Loud pipes without them drives me nuts, and I want to keep what hearing I still have. My HD half-helmet isn't a great choice for noise either. Anyway, do you wear plugs, or is loud noise something that doesn't concern you?

 

You bet. I find that ear plugs somehow isolate my brain from the trauma of the shockwaves of the pipe and I am far less tired at the end of the day. Don't know what it is, but plugs are really nice. Plus, I can hear my music better!

 

Yes, always

 

Right there with ya on the tinitis so I always wear ear plugs, but its the wind noise not the pipes that bothers me the most.

 

Huh??

 

To quote a commercial. Her, "That girl was awesome!" Him, "What opossum, I don't see no opossum!"

 

Yep...wind is just as bad for me too.

 

Most of the time. If I'm just taking a short ride into town and back, my 3/4 seems to be good enough. On longer runs where the wind/noise is more sustained, then most definitely a yes.

 

If your pipes are that loud, what about all the people you riding by?

 

I've worn earplugs since the 70s when I ride but NOT because of my pipes...BECAUSE OF THE WIND. I can't hear my pipes because of the wind, even with a 3/4 helmet with a face shield AND my earplugs.