After buying my Thruxton I then bought an open faced helmet with goggles to fit over my glasses to match the look of the bike. I actually prefer the more open feel and it helps with the speed control when the odd insect hits you as too fast and it flippin' hurts! One thing I found though was that the wind noise levels were unbearable so I decided to invest in a set of earplugs. My eldest lad has always used plugs and recommended the new Pinlock items. Having fitted a Pinlock visor insert to my full face lid a while ago and being impressed I decided to take his advice despite the cost of almost £20! After using these for a few months now I am impressed with their robustness and the ease of cleaning. I simply wash them in a bowl of warm soapy water, rinse and dry and they're as good as new. It took a while to get used to the deadening effect of plugs but I certainly enjoy my rides a lot more now. They do seem to work as advertised by filtering out the extreme levels of sound but allowing certain things through. If I stop anywhere for a short while I tend to remove just one plug so that I can hold a conversation without shouting! The storage box I use between rides; when I'm out and about I tend to wrap the plugs in a clean handkerchief which I keep in the pocket of my bike jeans. Overall though, very pleased.
I've been a great advocate of earplugs for the last 20 years or so since I started getting tinnitus. I don't know these but I fully support any recommendation to try them. £20 is nothing if it helps to save your hearing.
Bought a couple of pairs of these last August for the wife and I, when we changed to open face and waiting arrival of a nice custom flat tracker T100. Bike deal fell through and we still not used them , typical Quality looks good and a new scrambler lands 3 weeks
Hi Dick, I'm with you on ear-plugs especially if you're doing long-distance work. I've got the habit of wearing them every time I ride nowadays.
Just an update on the Pinlock ear plugs. I was a bit concerned that the plugs were blocking out too much sound making it difficult to hold a conversation so I contacted Pinlock directly in The Netherlands. They were quick to respond to my email and very keen to help. They thought the red removable inserts may have been faulty. I returned the plugs to them and they despatched me a replacement set by return. Excellent customer service!
I'm currently using these Thunderplugs from Marlon. They come with a really handy small case which goes onto your keys so you always have your plugs when you go for a ride!! http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/thunderplugs-ear-protection-a14tq
I'm afraid after seeing the damage to the chin section of my wife's full face Shoei Quest in a recent accident, I'm personally never ever wearing an open face helmet again. I have similar reusable earplugs, just wish I started using them years ago as now suffer from tinnitus.
Sorry; yes the new set are certainly an improvement. With plugs in and no helmet you can hold a conversation.
Thanks for posting, good info. The Thunderplugs from Maplin look to be the same, and at half the price too. Worth giving them a try.
I use Auritech Biker Ear Plugs and find them very good. They cut out the wind noise but let my music through. They were developed specifically for bike riders by Auritec. They come with a small cylinder to store them which attaches to your key ring. http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/209932 http://www.auritech.co.uk/universal-fit/biker/
