earplugs

[Altritter]

On weapons ranges in the Army, we used to remove the filters from cigarettes and insert them in our ears.

[Yikes]

I used earplugs (the cheap foam type) today for the first time for my 4 mile ride into work this morning.  I had been saving the plugs to use on a longer ride, but after reading the comments from those who never ride without them, I thought I’d try it.

I did find it made riding surprisingly more enjoyable, allowing me to focus a little more on the road conditions and the “physics” of riding the bike – application of power, leaning in turns, shifting, braking etc.  I also found that I was tending to ride a little faster than normal.  I guess the sound of the engine is something I use to gauge my speed and with less engine noise getting to my ears, I feel like I’m going slower.  I also found it quite enjoyable to not hear that beeeep beeeep that the turn signal makes when I’m stopped at a traffic light.  I do plan to continue to use the ear plugs full-time and just watch my speed till I get used to riding with them.  

Thanks again to all for more great advice!

John

[Justin B.]

John, you may need to do some troubleshooting.  I believe your annunciator is supposed to silence when the clutch is pulled in or trans. in neutral.

[Yikes]

 I think my annunciator (I had to think for a minute to figure out that was the beeper) is an aftermarket add-on.  It is a little button-sized thing that's stuck onto frame with double-stick foam tape and wired directly to the signal relay socket, so when the signal's on it's on.  I'm not sure where to even look for the OEM annunciator.  I think it's gone.  I've thought about pulling it off but there are times when it has reminded me to cancel my signal, so I've kept it.  Hopefully it won't cause a problem.  With the earplugs I can hear it when I'm stopped, but it seems very far away.

[Justin B.]

Seems I remember there's a diode involved...  I think that only the '79 and '80 models came with it.

[Semper Gumby]

I have a two sets set of Tim McCarty's custom molded ear plugs.  One set is sold and one set is for listning to music.  I like the solids best.  I wear them every time I ride.  I also keep them handy and wear them when ever I feel like it (like around the airplanes I fly).  I have also got into the habit of wearing them when I walk about a city.  Its amazing how noisy they are.

Tim is in Marrietta GA an attends a lot of motorcycle ralleys.  His numbers are 770-992-0048 or 404-610-1051.  He has a company called Ear-ific Molds.

TTFN,

[R65Guy]

I bought a set Tim's custom earplugs 3 years ago and couldn't be happier.  Great guy too.   I wear Super Hearo foam earplugs for commuting and short rides because the are a bit easier to put in and take out.  I use the custom plugs for longer trips because they are more comfortable for all day use.