More bike related stuff

[higham5]

FYI ... All three episodes are available on ITV Online
https://www.itv.com/hub/the-motorbik...pecials/2a5288

[1] Triumph


[2] Norton


[3] Ducati

I have watched all three, the Norton edition on catch up last night. Whilst Henry Cole is not everyone’s cup of tea ( mine included) these three specials are well constructed and take you through each marque really well. The Triumph enthusiast from Kent with his first editions must be seriously minted.
Easy viewing

Steve

[Gyp]

I have some damage to my right ear, which rattles painfully at very loud noises. I wear ear plugs when I know I'm going to be somewhere noisy (pit lane at a motor race, for example) but having a bike with a really loud exhaust suddenly overtake me with a bucketful of throttle is agony.

Ah, glad it's not just me! My hearing is generally OK - left ear has better hearing than the right and has been since my 20's - but my left "clips" like a cheap speaker being driven too hard at high volumes. I suspect that 2 bits that are supposed to be stuck to each other are simply resting against each other which works at low volumes but less so at high volumes. NHS has determined that my hearing at low volumes is fine, and that seems to be the limit of their tests, though I'm not sure that there's anything they could do to fix the inner ear when earplugs help and don't cost the NHS anything..

Which gets me to earplugs, which I carry with me constantly and use a lot. The key things I've learnt is that plugs must fit well and be comfortable. Sound obvious but isn't necessarily easy to achieve.

I tried an expensive set of moulded plugs that were great as long as I held my jaw in exactly the same position as it was in when the plugs were made. Not good. Held on to them for a while but eventually gave in and consigned them to the bin.

I bought a box of mixed foam plugs to try after that https://www.deltawaite.co.uk/product...plug-Selection

Many people struggle with foam plugs as they don't put them in right; with a really good squeeze and quick insertion with a pulled back ear lobe they go right into the ear canal and expand in just the right place. For regular use, I've come to love the MaxLite plugs (34dB SNR) as they are ridiculously comfortable and for louder environments the slightly less comfortable but slightly quieter LaserLite (35dB SNR)

Like others here, I've tried Flare audio and have both Isolate Pro Titanium and Isolate Pro Mini Titanium plugs. I think the advertising for these is somewhat over the top. They work OK with careful positioning in the ear, but I find them uncomfortable to use for any period of time. Great for popping in and out in the office but not on a ride on the bike. I do carry them in my pocket all the time, though I also have MaxLites in the same bag and if I'm doing anything that isn't going to require me to take them out to talk to people, I use the MaxLites.

For motorcycle use, I'd seriously recommend getting a pick-n-mix selection, finding which suits you and learning to put them in correctly. They are quiet, comfortable and adapt to the shape of your ear as you move. And they're dirt cheap by comparison.

https://www.deltawaite.co.uk/product...plug-Selection

[learningtofly]

I have to admit, I've had a little bit of tinnitus since I started riding again, and now and again it's more than a little bit (although I'm so conscious of it that I probably exaggerate it in my own mind). In any event, I've just started wearing some mid-priced foam plugs and the difference is massive. I'm certainly going to persist with them, although at the moment I'm not sure that anything other than the cheapish ones are necessary.

[Gyp]

I have to admit, I've had a little bit of tinnitus since I started riding again, and now and again it's more than a little bit (although I'm so conscious of it that I probably exaggerate it in my own mind). In any event, I've just started wearing some mid-priced foam plugs and the difference is massive. I'm certainly going to persist with them, although at the moment I'm not sure that anything other than the cheapish ones are necessary.

With a bit of shopping around, the various Howard Leight ones can be had for less than £25 for 200 pairs which to me are dirt cheap (the link I gave was good for a selection pack but others are cheaper once you've found the ones that suit). The big advantage for me over the plain yellow "ear" cylinder ones is that they expand more slowly so are easier to get into the ear canal before they expand to fit

[learningtofly]

With a bit of shopping around, the various Howard Leight ones can be had for less than £25 for 200 pairs which to me are dirt cheap (the link I gave was good for a selection pack but others are cheaper once you've found the ones that suit). The big advantage for me over the plain yellow "ear" cylinder ones is that they expand more slowly so are easier to get into the ear canal before they expand to fit

Thank you. I'll buy a bag and give them a proper go.

[awright101]

I buy a pack of foam ear plugs from boots. They are pretty good and quite comfortable

I saw the new Ducati Scrambler yesterday in Tangerine Orange. Some useful updates so will go for a test once the weather improves

[berin]

Ultimate ears for me. I know some folk say they have had a bad experience, but I’ve used them for 15 years with no problem. The earplugs, including the ones with speakers in, have worked very well, and as some have already said, it’s good to be able to hear a bit of background noise and not feel shut of completely

[tobetobes]

I have used the Ultimate ears ones, they are brilliant, but as one chap said above, if I have them in for an hour or so, and I do trips to France, I suddenly find one side cracking a gap if I move my jaw, and from then they are really annoying as my ears are suddenly unbalanced.

They have been back to base twice for adjustments, they got better but never perfect so eventually I gave up.

[JimTheBob]

There is a little corner in hell reserved for bikers who wear ear plugs to protect their own ears; and then fit a race can so they can live their Fogarty fantasy.

If your bike ain't loud enough on standard pipes, then ride/rev it harder.

"But, but but ........Loud pipes save lives!"

Yeah, cos no one ever had a collision with an emergency vehicle on " Blues and two's" did they?

[andy tims]

There is a little corner in hell reserved for bikers who wear ear plugs to protect their own ears; and then fit a race can so they can live their Fogarty fantasy.

Scroll up. It’s not engine / exhaust noise that damages bikers hearing.

[blackal]

I have used the Ultimate ears ones, they are brilliant, but as one chap said above, if I have them in for an hour or so, and I do trips to France, I suddenly find one side cracking a gap if I move my jaw, and from then they are really annoying as my ears are suddenly unbalanced.

They have been back to base twice for adjustments, they got better but never perfect so eventually I gave up.

Your ear canals change shape quite a bit in life - if the plugs are not sufficiently pliable, then you will either suffer discomfort and or poor fit.

[Dave+63]

There is a little corner in hell reserved for bikers who wear ear plugs to protect their own ears; and then fit a race can so they can live their Fogarty fantasy.

If your bike ain't loud enough on standard pipes, then ride/rev it harder.

"But, but but ........Loud pipes save lives!"

Yeah, cos no one ever had a collision with an emergency vehicle on " Blues and two's" did they?

Not a fan then?

[Tifa]

There is a little corner in hell reserved for bikers who wear ear plugs to protect their own ears; and then fit a race can so they can live their Fogarty fantasy.

If your bike ain't loud enough on standard pipes, then ride/rev it harder.

"But, but but ........Loud pipes save lives!"

Yeah, cos no one ever had a collision with an emergency vehicle on " Blues and two's" did they?

Hahahahaaaaa.....bless.

[JimTheBob]

Scroll up. It’s not engine / exhaust noise that damages bikers hearing.

Scroll up, ones self Sir. I am well aware of that.

The issue is not bikers hearing damage; that is self inflicted and my own hearing is damaged from too many years on bikes with no ear plugs (well, that and the cauliflower ears..... but thats another story)............. but did you not read Foxy100 post

"..........but having a bike with a really loud exhaust suddenly overtake me with a bucketful of throttle is agony".

You okay with that?

[JimTheBob]

Not a fan then?

LOL - you reckon?

To be fair, I just find them kinda embarrassing; like boy racers with wide boy exhausts on their Corsa's; but more so, cos the kid in the Corsa actually needs that extra 3bhp.

Anyone on a decent bike doesn't need the extra power and just wants to be looked at (or plug a torque curve flat spot that they could learn to ride around)....... which is odd; as if you were really travelling that fast you'd want to be under the radar.

[learningtofly]

Scroll up, ones self Sir. I am well aware of that.

The issue is not bikers hearing damage; that is self inflicted and my own hearing is damaged from too many years on bikes with no ear plugs (well, that and the cauliflower ears..... but thats another story)............. but did you not read Foxy100 post

"..........but having a bike with a really loud exhaust suddenly overtake me with a bucketful of throttle is agony".

You okay with that?

To be fair, he’s a sensitive soul.

[berin]

Your ear canals change shape quite a bit in life - if the plugs are not sufficiently pliable, then you will either suffer discomfort and or poor fit.

what he said. I’ve had new moulds and new ear plugs about every 5 years

[downer]

.....

[Chinnock]

Shotguns & V-Twins have contributed greatly to my hearing demise over the years. Don't think ear defenders will do much good now. TBH though, the older I get the less I want to hear from others so shouldn't be greatly affected in retrospect

[Enoch]

Don't think ear defenders will do much good now.

You’d be incorrect with that conclusion..

Having worked in Remploy with many deaf colleagues, it was a constant battle for me to get them to wear hearing protection in the machine shop.... “I’m deaf anyway so it can’t do me any harm” was the often given excuse when I had to yet again pull a deaf employee up for not wearing their ear defenders..

It became easier when I persuaded the occupational health specialist to give a talk and an explanation of the continued damage even to 100% deaf workers from not wearing defenders...

Basically, as noise is a form of energy, exposure to that energy will continue to enter the ear canal and cause damage to the point that profoundly deaf people will eventually go on to develop tinnitus.

Tinnitus causes misery, so as you’d wear a helmet to protect your head, and boots and gloves to protect you feet and hands.
My recommendation is to wear hearing protection as much as possible when on a motorcycle..

I do however understand the advantage of screening out the crap some people talk...

[Chinnock]

You’d be incorrect with that conclusion..

Having worked in Remploy with many deaf colleagues, it was a constant battle for me to get them to wear hearing protection in the machine shop.... “I’m deaf anyway so it can’t do me any harm” was the often given excuse when I had to yet again pull a deaf employee up for not wearing their ear defenders..

It became easier when I persuaded the occupational health specialist to give a talk and an explanation of the continued damage even to 100% deaf workers from not wearing defenders...

Basically, as noise is a form of energy, exposure to that energy will continue to enter the ear canal and cause damage to the point that profoundly deaf people will eventually go on to develop tinnitus.

Tinnitus causes misery, so as you’d wear a helmet to protect your head, and boots and gloves to protect you feet and hands.
My recommendation is to wear hearing protection as much as possible when on a motorcycle..

I do however understand the advantage of screening out the crap some people talk...

Thanks for that, makes more sense now you have explained it. Better late than never to wear ear plugs I guess.

[Enoch]

Thanks for that, makes more sense now you have explained it. Better late than never to wear ear plugs I guess.

You’re welcome...no matter how much hearing loss you’ve already suffered (I have some loss too), it’s always better to use protection😈😈..

[Saint-Just]

German technology

[MEDIA=youtube]6rWFSN4LT6M[/MEDIA]

[andy tims]

Anybody need anything from Infinity?

I have a £66.00 voucher / credit note that I'm unlikely to use before it expires 4th March.

Would let it go for £50.00

[wileeeeeey]

There is a little corner in hell reserved for bikers who wear ear plugs to protect their own ears; and then fit a race can so they can live their Fogarty fantasy.

If your bike ain't loud enough on standard pipes, then ride/rev it harder.

"But, but but ........Loud pipes save lives!"

Yeah, cos no one ever had a collision with an emergency vehicle on " Blues and two's" did they?

Love my Akra full system but also love my ear plugs. Tbf I would use ear plugs even on an OEM exhaust as I think a lot of the time it's the wind noise on the helmet which hurts hearing, not always the exhaust.

[Enoch]

Anybody need anything from Infinity?

I have a £66.00 voucher / credit note that I'm unlikely to use before it expires 4th March.

Would let it go for £50.00

If still available I’ll take it Andy... I can put it towards a new open face helmet to complete the Bobber look😱😱

[bwest76]

Get fitted plugs,whatever your helmet or exhaust wear plugs it’s just foolish not to.
Whatever they cost it’s less than buying your hearing back,which you can’t.

Ears grow over the years so my old ones don’t fit now,I am also using a special cream for total comfort nowadays.

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/product...-comfort-cream

[Gyp]

Get fitted plugs,whatever your helmet or exhaust wear plugs it’s just foolish not to.
Whatever they cost it’s less than buying your hearing back,which you can’t.

Ears grow over the years so my old ones don’t fit now,I am also using a special cream for total comfort nowadays.

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/product...-comfort-cream

Can't you just use some spit?

[bwest76]

Can't you just use some spit?

I did before the creams better.

[djjuk]

Mod 2 passed today on first attempt with one minor (delayed indication). I’ll take that.

Now the fun part of bike shopping starts!

[learningtofly]

Mod 2 passed today on first attempt with one minor (delayed indication). I’ll take that.

Now the fun part of bike shopping starts!

Top man

[wileeeeeey]

Mod 2 passed today on first attempt with one minor (delayed indication). I’ll take that.

Now the fun part of bike shopping starts!

Congratulations and in time to get good deals on a bike while the weather is awful!

FYI the interpretation of "waterproof" in motorcycle clothing is very subjective. Goretex is the only name you can really trust.

[djjuk]

Top man

Thanks mate. I hold you and this thread (partially) responsible!

Looking forward to warmer weather now - although in a way I am glad I went through this in winter as it was good to gain confidence.

[djjuk]

Congratulations and in time to get good deals on a bike while the weather is awful!

FYI the interpretation of "waterproof" in motorcycle clothing is very subjective. Goretex is the only name you can really trust.

Cheers! Yup, budget creep is already in full swing under the ‘winter’ deals available!

[Gurmot]

Thanks mate. I hold you and this thread (partially) responsible!

Looking forward to warmer weather now - although in a way I am glad I went through this in winter as it was good to gain confidence.

I am just a few months ahead of you but already have 3 bikes in the garage. I see you are in the SW, are you going to the Bath and West classic bike show this weekend?

[djjuk]

I am just a few months ahead of you but already have 3 bikes in the garage. I see you are in the SW, are you going to the Bath and West classic bike show this weekend?

Yes I can see how that could happen!

Wasn't aware of that show at the B&W but yes that looks worth a trip. Thanks for the tip.

[higham5]

Mod 2 passed today on first attempt with one minor (delayed indication). I’ll take that.

Now the fun part of bike shopping starts!

Well done , as you say the fun doesnt just stop at clothing accessories route planning, it extends to “ that bike looks nice, how much to change?”

Enjoy

Steve

[pugster]

well done on passing your mod 2 , as far as shopping is concerned this year could get expensive as i've been looking at superduke 1290's and the bmw s1000r for a few weeks ...... : /

[learningtofly]

I'm finding myself drooling over the Monster 821 Stealth... it's a great size for me, too



Slightly less power than my Street Triple, but sexier by far. Luckily, I'm completely skint.

[stefaulkner]

I'm finding myself drooling over the Monster 821 Stealth... it's a great size for me, too



Slightly less power than my Street Triple, but sexier by far. Luckily, I'm completely skint.

Check out the MV Agusta Brutale, Tony.

Achingly beautiful.

[skmark]

I'm finding myself drooling over the Monster 821 Stealth... it's a great size for me, too

....you see you always wanted a Ducati really

........... Luckily, I'm completely skint.

You don't normally let that get in the way

[Tifa]

Haven't ridden the MV, but have ridden the 821, imho the 765 Stripple is the better bike.
Easily.

[learningtofly]

Hmmm... well, I prefer the Ducati to the Agusta, and the latter's also a bit too tall for me. I also appreciate that the Striple is the better bike, actually... it's the looks

[andy tims]

I'm finding myself drooling over the Monster 821 Stealth... it's a great size for me, too Slightly less power than my Street Triple, but sexier by far. Luckily, I'm completely skint.

[learningtofly]

Oi, I'm into month three with the Striple, I'll have you know

[learningtofly]

Looks like there's a new Daytona 765 on the way

[Skyman]

Looks like there's a new Daytona 765 on the way

A good way to learn the meaning of discomfort.

[Dave+63]

Looks like there's a new Daytona 765 on the way

Based on their Moto 2 race bike too!

It’ll be a cracker and no doubt they’ll put it in the street triple too.

[SimonH]

Looks like there's a new Daytona 765 on the way

I test rode a Daytona 675 back in the day before I ordered my Striple. I was going to buy the Striple anyway but as they were kind enough to let me have a play for an hour why not...

Thoughts were way better than the contemporary 600 sport bikes due to the extra torque. Handled superbly and better suited to UK roads, but riding position was too extreme for me. I did contemplate for a nanosecond getting one but fortunately for my back common sense prevailed...

[learningtofly]

I test rode a Daytona 675 back in the day before I ordered my Striple. I was going to buy the Striple anyway but as they were kind enough to let me have a play for an hour why not...

Thoughts were way better than the contemporary 600 sport bikes due to the extra torque. Handled superbly and better suited to UK roads, but riding position was too extreme for me. I did contemplate for a nanosecond getting one but fortunately for my back common sense prevailed...

Yes, far too aggressive a set-up for me too. Nice to see it coming back, though.

In other news, Triumph embraces new technology!