I bought some Auritech ones at the start of last year and can't imagine riding without them. Very comfy, £20 and last for ages (well at least a year....!) Wind noise is what really annoys me, used to use foam disposable ones as much as possible before when I knew I was out for a while but was a bit hit and miss and they always used to block out too much noise for me.
Always worn ear plugs. Its amazing how much smoother your brain tricks you into thinking the bike feels and sounds. If they are not pushed in correctly and I set off, I soon have to pull in to adjust them as it drives my nuts.
Ironic that in UK we are advised to wear them.... the Cops even give them away ion those party packs at big meets with other safety items.... in Spain its 100 Euro fine to wear them! So much for the EU having standardised policies and best interests at heart! My light grade foam ear plugs i pinch from work have costs me 300 euros in fines so far! Ridiculous!
Really???? I had no be idea it was illegal here! But, you can have your stereo on at full volume in your tin box!! I'll still wear them though.
What I find interesting is that not one of the Moto gp riders appear to use the moulded plugs. All seem to be the cheapy foam plugs. I had moulded plugs made for work offshore once and they were absolute crap.
Whever I ride my 1299 without ear plugs, the bike sounds like a mad bastard. I got some moulded ones which cut out wind and let bike noise thru. Sounds like a mad bastard. I now just stick to the red/yellow spongey ones. Now it sounds like a mad bastard to everyone except me.
Wow, really? So that's why they are yelly and talk so loud all the time How did the cops get you? Were you stopped and they saw them when you removed your helmet? Just interested as I have flights booked to Spain in a couple of months and want to use them...
Don't know when that Spanish law was passed, seems totally counter intuitive. Obviously no motorcyclists or hearing specialists were involved or consulted in it's making. Does that make a case to sue the government for hearing damage? I was stopped by the police in the Aragon region back in 2014, took helmet off and earplugs out to talk to them. Was just a spot check thing. No mention was made that I shouldn't be wearing them or that it was against the law. I do understand that wearing ear-buds or moulded earplugs with audio is illegal in Spain. I'm not sure about in helmet speakers for a Bluetooth headset? I had one of those with the 'wart' and antenna on the side of the lid (pre Sena 10U days) and no mention was made either. They were bike cops though so maybe there was something of an understanding.
I even sleep with ear plugs. Since a noisey neighbour, some 20yrs ago or more, Ive become accustomed to them. I dont understand how people can listen to music whilst riding a bike, but that doesnt mean I dont approve. Each to their own. But even with plugs in, I can discern the note of the engine and my surroundings.
I contacted Guardia Civil Trafico, and they tell me it is legal to wear earplugs. What is illegal is wearing earphones whilst riding.
Earplugs are not illegal in Spain. Earplugs or headphones that contain any device that emits sound is what is illegal. This apparently DOES include inter-rider intecoms and helmet-mounted speakers. Hopefully the guarda civil take a common-sense approach similar to the approach taken by most uk plod to dark visors these days.
Then i got ass-raped by Guardia Traffico bike cops on the Ronda road 3 times then.... in reflection it was before i matriculated my BMW K1300S over to Spanish plates and was on UK.... it was also in conjunction with one or two other offenses at the same time...speed / crossing centre line / not indicating to pull back in after overtake! But on all 3 occasions they said my ear plugs were a 'penalty'... and duly slapped me an extra 100 bucks on top on the 100 for the other offence(s)..... Always thought is wasn't quite right but also know not to argue with a GC on any matter, moot or otherwise. Now thinking about it more, my schuberth flip front helmet has a boom mic in the front and speakers (Sena) so perhaps they meant the headset in the lid but as i always wear my orange foam plugs i assumed it was what they meant..... since it was invariably the first 'offence' they mentioned as i pulled them out..... Bast***s! Some strange laws.... Like SATNAV with speed limits or camera locations... that's another tale for another thread.... :-(
