I have an r1200gs. The buffeting has been driving me insane. So, I put the GSA winglets on, which helped, but didn't solve the problem. Then, I bought the TT Windshield Spoiler, which again, helped but didn't solve the buffeting. What is causing my insanity is: when I wear no hearing protection, it's not very loud. It isn't much louder than driving with the windows open. However, when I use ear protection, it sounds like loud drums are being played in my ears. I have been developing a bit of a ring in my ears, and I am getting concerned. So, what is worse in this scenario? Wear earplugs that sound like a drummer in my ears, or wear no hearing protection, which isn't nearly as loud? I wear a Hornet DS, and have thought about a different helmet. Additionally, I have considered a new windscreen, but I would like to avoid it. Thanks in advance for any advice!
If you are talking about foam plugs,from my experience they are not fitted properly if things seem louder with your helmet on. Did you roll them and let them expand in the ear canal before fitting your helmet. Some people need to roll and hold the outer end so they expand/seat correctly. If that fails molded to your ear, plugs are not that expensive and might give better results.
in my experience, I find that earplugs that get louder when you wear then than when you don't are as a result of the earplugs touching the helmet's lining fabric & acting as a vibration transducer. try shoving them in more, or cutting them down. I think it is separate from any buffeting issue you may have
+ 1 on not in correctly. If you can see any more than the end, they aren't in properly. I see people wearing them wrong all the time at my work, and nobody can tell them that it is wrong, ignorance is bliss. You can get them in a couple of sizes, your problem my be you have small ear canals, small ones might fix it. I find that if I pull my outer ear back, via the other hand behing the head, they go in easier.
No, I have not tried foam (other than the ER6 earphones). Here are the plugs I use: I also use the ER6 earphones, and incur the same result for both the rubber & foam plugs.
Your hearing adjusts to ambient volumes. So if you've got plugs in, your hearing becomes more sensitive. Then add in the fact that earplugs filter highs more than lows, and you'll end up hearing the buffetting like thunder while you can barely hear a whistle.
If you've got a Walmart handy you might go to the pharmacy dept and take a look at Mac's Pillow Soft plugs. They are silicone I believe. The kid's size work best for me. Poor-fitting ear plugs can drive you nuts in a hurry. Sarah
I use foam plugs and have to do this to get them in correctly.. If they don't go in deep enough, they don't work well at all. Pulling up on your ear opens up the ear canal letting the plugs get to what seems like an incorrectly deep position, but it's the best way.
Yup. Roll 'em. But in addition lubricate them. I used to use Vaseline in my ear canals, but too sloppy after removal. Now, I roll em put them in mouth to get saliva on and insert. The saliva dries and they stay put. If you think that's icky, think of the places your lips have touched...
When I'm stuck using the cheaper kind I take a sharp knife (razor blade) and cut a small pie shape out of it. I have small ear canals and wearing them normally for any length of time causes pain. If you go to an industrial safety supply place you can find some really good earplugs that are designed for wear over long periods. My favorite is a blue soft foam one with a thin silicon rubber core piece. I've worn those for a 10 hour day and hardly knew they were in there.
I have been using the SAME pair of silicone plugs for 30 years. It is one of those with a stem and three "flanges". Some soldier gave it to me. I ended up cutting the stem down a bit after I got a new helmet with less space in the ear pocket. It was touching the helmet and transfering the nose. I keep them in a film can (for those of you oung kids, cameras used to use films and they come with a PVC water tight container. Before that, it was a metal screw top container) willed with alcohol. Take the plugs out, fling the excess alcohol off and insert into the ear. Disinfect and lubricate all in one. Leaves no mess behind.
I think a lot of the complainers here are ignorant of and in denial of having tinnitus. If you don't know what that is ask your Doctor of go to Wikipedia.ksteve
Don't be afraid to spend a little dough to get the windscreen right. Given what you've already paid for the bike, don't go cheap now. The stock screen is an abomination. Just the way the thing rattles around at idle is embarrassing. I went with a Cee Bailey's that's 4 inches taller, a Laminar Lip, and the Adventure Winglets. It's as good as I could ever ask for at this point.
Here's what I use, they work great as long as you put them in right. http://www.moldex.com/hearing-protection/foam-earplugs/sparkplugs.php fitting instructions for foam earplugs <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="587"><tbody><tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>1 </td> <td>2 </td> <td>3 </td> <td>4 </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td> ROLL & COMPRESS With clean hands, hold earplug between thumb and forefinger as shown. Roll and progressively compress the entire tapered end of the earplug to a small wrinkle-free cylinder. </td> <td> INSERT To ensure fitting, reach hand over head and gently pull ear upward and outward as shown. Insert compressed, tapered end of earplug well inside ear canal. Hold 30-60 seconds until earplug expands. Release, then push in again for 5 seconds to ensure fit. </td> <td> CORRECT FIT When properly inserted, the bottom edge of earplug is located at the opening of the ear canal. </td> <td> INCORRECT FIT A portion of the earplug not in the ear canal will reduce effectiveness. </td></tr></tbody></table> I'm not trying to be a smart ass I work around helicopters for a living and most of the people I work with have to be shown how to properly put earplugs in even folks that have been doing this stuff for years. Again sorry if you know this stuff already not trying to be an ass just trying to help out.