| Author | Message | ||
     Wazza |
This is not a joke thread. I have a '04 XB9S that I love dearly but am unsure if I should ride anymore. I struggled to get a good throttle response from it using the Buell Race Kit and late last year fitted the Micron full system and American Sports Bike open air box kit and catch can to great success! Since then I have ridden then bike a dozen times on extended rides (300-500km days) wearing disposable ear plugs as I have done for some years but find my ears ringing at the end of the day. After the last two rides I found my ears were sore and the ringing extended for a day or more after wards. I rode this saturday gone and my ears are still ringing now 3 days after - I know now I have damaged my hearing with this latest ride obviously pushing things over the threshold of what my ears could stand.  I have now been reading articles that point out that ear plugs dont stop all frequencies and I think the combination of the loud exhaust directly under the rider bouncing back off the pavement and loud engine mechanical valve noise and a loud KBC helmet seems to have combined to either overwhelm what the ear plugs can deal with - or the tone of either the exhaust or engine metal sounds or wind rush is such that it gets past the ear plugs. So basically I am at a loss as to what to do... get a new helmet is a easy one but thats really a minor contribution as the bulk of the noise comes back up from the exhaust and the engine second. I wont consider going back to the factory standard exhaust (which I still have) bike ran terrible with that and I'd just as soon sell it before going back as it performs fantastic with current setup. Any ideas on alternative ear plugs (i've tried a bunch and all seem same) or ways to take the edge off the exhaust without ruining the performance? If I can't quieten bike/protect my ears more I wont ride it again as I have already done something stupid to continue past the warnings my body was sending me and now done some level of damage that like all hearing issues cannot be repaired. I certainly cannot risk doing anything else to worsen my situation. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Have you looked at custom fit ear plugs? You actually have to apply for a kit and have them made to fit your ear canals. I believe these are the kind that folks that work around jet engines and rock concerts use. They are supposed to be able to substantially reduce sounds at all frequency levels. I know Westone makes a plug for motorcycles. http://www.westone.com/earmold_styles.html#protect Webbikeworld also did an article on ear protection. http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm | ||
| Cycleaddict |
i like the custom (liquid poured into your ear canal) fitted ear plugs , they are quieter(than disposables) & install very quickly. i got mine at a gun show ! $40-60 | ||
| Cactus_dave |
I have the fix .... send me your Micron, I will send you my nice quiet stock pipe... wink wink  | ||
| Blasterd |
I'll send you 2 stock pipes for a Micron!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
i've tried a bunch and all seem same Eeek, I hope you were joking... Earplugs are a very personalized item. I have tried over 78 different pairs (bet you didn't know that many existed). There all different. I have even have 2 sets of custom ear pieces. I took detailed notes after each pair so I knew what to buy again. For me the Howard Leight MAX series was the winner hands down. They have a 33 decibel reduction. The key to these earplugs is how you put them in. If you just roll them and shove them in, they will not properly seal. You have to roll the plug, then grab the top meaty part of your ear, gently pull up and out. Then gently slide the ear piece in. Finally place your thump over the ear plug as it expands. You will hear a "rice crispy" sound as it expands. Things will be VERY quiet after that. I use my custom ear pieces only for air travel. I found they work well (not as quiet as the HL Max), but are are hard to get sealed when wearing my helmet. If you want to try some different plugs order a sample pack from www.earplugstore.com or any other online vendor. I've tried every set they sell. It didn't cost that much in comparison to losing my hearing. When you find the pair you like, just order as big a case as you can afford. Remember a disposable pair should be worn only once. They loose there effectiveness when reused, not to mention the bacteria issue. If you have any further questions post up. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I'll second the Howard Leight MAX series. Good earplugs. | ||
| Gowindward |
From the exhaust shoot out the Micron had a peak noise out put of 123db. Even if you take that down by 33db for the earplugs your still looking at 90db. That will cause hearing loss from prolonged exposure and that still doesn't take into account wind and road noise. I talked with an audiologists this fall about this very subject. He said the only thing to do is wear earplugs and then ear muffs on top of that to reduce the exposure. Not a practical solution for motorcycling. A quieter bike is the fix long term. | ||
| Typeone |
might be a stupid suggestion but... have you tried another helmet as well as plugs? | ||
| Swordsman |
Sheesh, man, go back to stock! A few extra ponies isn't worth your hearing. If it's that loud, all the other people on the road would probably appreciate it too! Loud pipes irritate me, personally. ~SM | ||
| Pmpski_1 |
I got some custom earplugs made at the last International MC show that came through. It's made the Latus more tolerable, but I have a race exhaust that may be going on soon. On the last flight that I took, I noticed that the custom earplugs reduced a lot of the lower frequencies, but not the crying of the 4 babies on the flight  | ||
| Xl1200r |
Keep in mind that 33db is quite a bit... Decibles aren't measured liniarly, it's exponential. Basically, 100db is actually twice as loud as 90db, so a 33db reduction is substantial. - at least, this is how I understood it...could be wrong. Personally, if the noise is that big of an issue, I'd be going back to the stock exhaust. If you keep it loud, your going to lose your hearing (not cool), and if you make it so you can tolerate the noise, you won't be hearing much of anything else out on the road, which is no good either. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
OSHA has a nice page on Hearing Conservation http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/ index.html | ||
| Wazza |
Hey thanks guys for some good feedback. (and the muffler offers ) First I have parked the bike and am not going to get back on until I have more protection. I am shopping right now for new helmet - looking at a new Shoei ZR1000 as seems to be rated as one of the quieter and mine is a KBC VR2 - which seems to be rated as one of the louder... also considering the BMW system 5 helmet as they quote it as one of the quietest available (but seems a bit heavy) I've been using the Howard Leight 'Laser Lite' ear plugs which are not as strong as those Max items (which I have not seen for sale here so will order some off net). Also have been using Moldex 'Rocket' re-useable silicon rubber type plugs and they fit better but have less db protection again than the Laser Lite which are rated 24db - so both fall well short of the Max plugs. Also perhaps I use the same set too often during a ride day, taking them out at stops so maybe I am not then getting the full seal later in day... So I think a box of more powerful plugs and a new helmet and carry a few pairs for a day ride may be a possible solution. There really seems a lot of noise to deal with when looking at it - average helmets in wind are said to generate around 90db (quite sure then that mine is more) then add in the rather loud lifter/valve noise of the engine with open air box kit and no inner airbox to dampen noise and then there is the muffler ... | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Wazza, FYI I have a Arai Profile (06 model) is quiet as far as wind noise, as long as you close the top vents. I just looked at my records for the Laser lite. I found it to be the worst earplug for reinsertion. It worked alright the first time, but after about and hour it would loosen up. The laser lite's are smaller plug so keep in mind the Max's are much thicker. If you have small ear canals keep this in mind. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Warren, All these suggestions are great and I too was worried about a loud straight through muffer I use. I don't particularly like real loud noise just a good sound and wanted the extra horsepower from one, which I got after rejetting. I solved the problem with a muffler insert made for race cars. It quiets the sound considerably and actually adds mid-range H.P. Its from "www.carchemistry.com" and I bought it at Jegs here in the states. Its about $50.00 and worth every penny. It just inserts in the end of the muffler/pipe and comes in sizes from 2" to 4". I use the 3 disc 2 1/2" size @ $57.00. Best of both worlds. Less noise and more mid-range H.P. Check it out on the web. Bob | ||
| Kootenay |
If your pipes are so loud you're causing yourself damage (did I read 123 dB up there?) think of how loud and obnoxious they must be to others. Think about how many people are gonna hear your bike from miles away, and every time you go past they get a bit more annoyed until they're calling the cops to complain. Next thing you know, the cops are cracking down on your favourite road--not because of fast bikes, but because of loud bikes--but of course, they're gonna stop and ticket those of us who like to run fast and quiet, too! This is exactly what's happened to some of my favourite local roads--never any police presence, then suddenly they're everywhere, and when I'm stopped the cop starts in on me about all the complaints they've had about motorcycles. Now, most folks around here aren't gonna complain about how fast you're going--but they WILL complain about loud vehicles bothering themselves and their livestock. To the cops, though, it's all one and the same... I don't care if people want to modify their bikes, but when their mods start affecting my riding enjoyment, I get annoyed. IMO, the only real reason to buy an aftermarket pipe like the Micron is to make noise. If the exhaust is so loud you can't stand to be near it, where's the joy in that? And I don't follow the "more power" argument--if you really want horsepower, just buy a ZX-10R and be done with it. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I noticed when I change helmets, the amount of noise that makes it to my ears change. My current helmet (HJC) amazes me by how quiet it is at speed. Earplugs that were barely adequate work quite well now. | ||
| Damnut |
the only real reason to buy an aftermarket pipe like the Micron is to make noise No it's to piss people like you off and to make a few extra ponies. get off your soapbox and go hug a tree | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
 There is always one in the crowd bro! Hug a tree?! Hug a Micron and breath deeeeeeeeeeep. The noise will suddenly fade away. No more Noise problem........Problem solved!  | ||
| Grufflie |
I'm a GP in the UK, or what you guys call a doctor, and just happened to stumble upon this thread. Oddly enough one of my patients, as I do, owns a Buell and is experiencing chronic tinnitus. Tests show he has irreversible hearing damage in both ears which has been attributed to his “love of bikes”. Without going into detail, (as I really only popped in to try and trace an old pal) I strongly suggest you have a chat with your doc, particularly if your ears continue ringing three days after a ride! It’s not so much a case of what can be done at this point, more a case of getting advice on what your future will involve if you continue to experience these symptoms. Best wishes, Gruffs | ||
| Djkaplan |
Eh? | ||
| Old_man |
My new XB9S came from the dealer with a Latus muffler. The first time I took the bike to redline my ears rang for 2 days. I then wore earplugs every ride. I found them to be a PITA, taking them out to hear conversation when I stopped, forgetting to reinsert them then having to stop to put them in.--besides not being that comfortable. I thought I would put the stock muffler on the bike.---Before doing that I made up some baffles to insert into the Latus muffler. This enables me to ride without earplugs and not cause ear pain. As a side benefit I am getting better gas mileage and seemed to gain low end power. | ||
| Swordsman |
Sheesh Damnut, did that comment hit a little close to home??? Kootenay's point is totally legitimate... I don't see anything to get huffy about. And Eric, when you hug the Micron and the noise "suddenly fades away"... is that from the burst eardrums, or what? Ya' lost me on that one...  EDIT: OOohhh, I get it! Dur! ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on January 09, 2007) | ||
| Daves |
Some must just be more sensitive to the loudness? I have had loud pipes on every bike I have owned since I was 10 years old. I even had a straight pipe on my riding lawnmower when I was a kid. I can still hear plenty good(except sometimes on my cell phone) I have straight pipes on all my HDs and had everything from race kits to Force pipes,D+D to Microns on Buells. Not to mention the cars I had as a kid and young man with loud, dual exhaust on them. I like loud bikes | ||
| Borrowedbike |
Oh SURE you hear good. I asked for a BLUE bike! (I wear a good helmet and a pair of earplugs, but I'm already deaf.) | ||
| Cheesebeast |
I agree with Corporate Monkey. The Howard Leight Max plugs are by far the best I have used. I too have tested many different brands of disposable earplugs and those are the plugs I buy in bulk. Returning your bike to stock is not a bad tradeoff. Ruining your hearing is simply not worth the performance upgrade. You should definately take a good look at your helmet and research different helmet brands (certain bike magazines test helmet noise). That will help somewhat, but frankly the solution is to "muzzle" the bike. Not to be a scaremonger but tinnitus may be in your future if you continue to damage your hearing. Tinnitus is a "sound" that only you can hear- rushing, ringing, etc. There is no cure that I am aware of. As for my Buell, the Jardine can that is on it is at the end of it's life, and frankly I hate the bastard. That is good, as I am returning to stock. I ride like a freakin' granny so any performance upgrades are pretty much lost on me. Best to you, Cheese | ||
| Slaughter |
You really should ride with earplugs even with a very quiet exhaust. The wind noise in a helmet by itself can be enough to cause hearing damage without any exhaust noise. (Of course when I was young and immortal, I never listened either.) | ||
| Damnut |
it didn't hit close to home but it just gets under my skin to see people bitch about how others live their lives. It is kind of like the (I know I'm going to get shit about this) ATGATT guys. NO I DO NOT NEED TO WEAR ALL MY GEAR ALL THE TIME!!! last I checked this was a free country and I could do what I want, when I want. The way I see it (and this is just me) is let people live their own lives. Hey if my neighbor wants to something stupid, then by all means go ahead and do it. I'm not going to say shit. That's the way I feel it should be. that's all. there was no malice in the earlier post. | ||
| Henrik |
Jamie hit a good point and describes very well how to insert earplugs - if you don't get the plugs inserted correctly it will not seal properly. A well inserted quality plug should seal out 25 - 30 db. After a long day of riding (S2 with Supertrapp IDS muffler with the outlet pointed 45° out and down) I have a bit of ringing in my ears as well, but it fades overnight. I use Howard Leigh Max Lites and either an Arai Quantum E or Shoei RF1000 helmet. Henrik |
