Riding without earplugs (ONCE IN A WHILE)

[normzone]

Every so often I will find myself without a set of plugs in the jacket or pants pocket, and I'll decide to ride without, usually just a commute to work (23 miles).

Wow, my bike is running great! All those strange noises that worry me aren't there today!

Interesting, the difference between filtered and unfiltered sound.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

Glad to hear it! 

John Henry

[Gusable]

I don’t wear plugs but I do wear a helmet!  Plugs just make my tinnitus louder

[M0T0Geezer]

Riding no-ear-plugs once in a while  (1--20 minutes) is a good way to find noises that suggest maintenance might be needed - valve adjustments for example..

[Griso8V]

I was told by my MSF instructor that with a full face helmet the noise, when riding at speed, is much higher than OSHA limits and louder with the helmet.  Not sure why...There are studies that show noise causes much fatigue.  I always ride with ear plugs.  I rode without plugs for a short ride and it was LOUD. 

[wirespokes]

I made a neck wrap that looks something like a neck brace to close off the area under the helmet - especially near the ears. At the time I made it I rode an R100RS, and if you're not familiar with that one, they create a horrible roaring noise. It worked so well I stopped wearing ear plugs. Haven't ridden the RS in years, but the neck wrap is something I always wear.