BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I didn't want to add this to the Long Distance Impressions thread:

azimuth551 wrote:I just got back from a 2,300 mile trip to the North West. ... The bike performed flawlessly and my only complaint is the wind noise inside my helmet. I have both a low rumbling and the high frequency wind noise. I have the CaliSci windshield wich offers great protection. I am still waiting for a better solution and maybe some custom earplugs. Brent

On our trip around Lake Michigan last week my friend complained about wind noise also. He has a tall (24") Parabellum windshield and uses the custom molded ear plugs shooters use. I'd just bought the lifetime supply of EAR Classic Superfit Foam plugs (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/eclsupvcfopl.html) and offered him a pair. He said he'd tried foam plugs in the past and they didn't work well for him but tried them anyway. It turned out that his ear plugs were the problem. They were four or five years old and he just assumed they still worked as well as when they were new.

Someone else commented on an earlier earplug thread that this particular plug may be too effective in isolating you from what's going on around you, but they're pretty effective at eliminating wind noise.

Lynn

I now have the infamous ring in my ear and I don't wan't it to get worse. I work in the industrial environment of ships and this noise is above those. I have had the best success with some nice blue ear plugs at Walmart with a 33NR and they do the trick, however, over a few hours or even a short stop, they fail.
I don't worry too much what is around me. I always assume that everyone is out to get me, so I am highly aware at all times. Besides, this noise is so bad, you would not hear an siren until it is on top of you, so I rely on my mirrors and situational awareness!

Thanks for the input, I am waiting on a better windshield design, I think that will help.

Brent

I used these:

http://www.earinc.com/p2-music-pro.php


They are the best investment I have made to date for noise reduction. Since they also are earphones, they serve a dual purpose that I can plug in my iPhone or the GPS and listen to my XM radio. I also have the helmet set up to plug these into the bike intercom. Great product with great customer service, and since they are custom fit, they work way better than any foam plug I have ever tried.

ka5ysy wrote:I used these:

http://www.earinc.com/p2-music-pro.php... Great product with great customer service, and since they are custom fit, they work way better than any foam plug I have ever tried.

Similar to these: http://ultimateears.com/

I used to pal around with a bunch of the people that were part of the company in the pre-Logitech days. I have a pair that I got at the employee discount. Great sound isolation, but you have to be extremely mindful of where the volume knob is set when you turn on your iPod.

The original device was developed by the sound engineer for Van Halen. The drummer would go deaf mid-way through a show -- probably due to the volume and repeated exposure to it -- so these earphones were the answer. They are now used by gazillion musicians for stage performances. I use mine as studio monitors when I am mixing late at night and can't use my JBL monitors. Great product, but the custom-fit variety (where they take an impression of your ear) are quite pricey. The average person probably doesn't want to spend $1000 on up for earbuds.

Peckhammer

The good news is that the Earinc buds are around $300 so not bad in the grand scheme of biking!

I like the Etymotic ER6i — about $75 from Amazon. I use them with the Jabra Bluetooth BT3030 receiver and the Navi IV, which you can also load mp3s on.

websterize wrote:I like the Etymotic ER6i — about $75 from Amazon.

+1. I used helmet speakers + earplugs for awhile, but this setup is much better. I like that I was able to order smaller foam inserts online. Very comfortable even after several hours in the saddle.

websterize wrote:I like the Etymotic ER6i — about $75 from Amazon. I use them with the Jabra Bluetooth BT3030 receiver and the Navi IV, which you can also load mp3s on.

+2 except I'm using it with the BMW NAV-III. The Jabra goober (looks like a dog tag) eliminates that OUCH when walking away from the bike.. and it pairs quite reliably with the NAV-III.

I have been using the Shure E2Cs for about 4 years now. I tried them side by side with the Etymotics and I liked the Shures better. Plus they are cheaper. They just fit my ears very well and the last two pair I had cost me $25 a piece.

Mark

Thanks for the input guys. I think I am going to try the form to fit in the ear. I don't use music or anything while riding, so I think these will do the trick. I will have to let you know.

Brent