Custom made ear plugs by Ultimate Ear
by Andrew Prendergast on May.02, 2012, under Andrew Prendergast, Kit Reviews
There’s a time in a man’s life when he has to face the truth. No longer is he a macho riding god, a cool rider oblivious to the elements, a rider in the storm. Here’s my review of custom made ear plugs by Ultimate Ear.
Instead I, like many of my age group have succumbed to the practicalities, and dare I say comforts, of biking. This is why my Kawasaki ZZR1400 now sports an impressive Giui 52 litre top box. I know, I know, I hear your outrage I really do, and I even share it, but the top box is so useful for keeping my files dry and secure when I am out and about at Court or seeing Clients!As if that wasn’t bad enough I’ve finally switched from leathers stuffed with two or three fleeces and my own personal padding to textiles!
But wait – it get worse. For years I’ve resisted wearing ear plugs as I love to hear the sound of my engine. In my opinion the sound of all of my bikes over the years (including my Bandit 600with micron can; GSX1400 with 4 into 2 stainless oval cans; GS750 chop with straight through pipes; and my Kwak ZZR1400) deserve to be heard loud and clear through unadorned ears. However, the sensible “old man” in me realised if this continues my hearing will not fair to well in the future in all likelihood so I have bitten the bullet and invested in some custom made ear plugs.
I would have been quite happy with some of those soft pellet ear plug things that you can bulk buy – and easily replace as they are so cheap. But no – I had to be influenced by the likes of Mr Dalton, whose arsenal of toys for his Multistrada includes “the perfect ear plugs”.
Which is why I found myself sitting at the Ultimate Ear stand at the NEC last November with gunk stuffed in my ears in preparation for my very own custom made ear plugs. Oh the shame – not only ear plugs but custom made ones! It’s official. I’ve turned to the dark side that is comfort biking.
The Ultimate Ear plugs arrived and I eventually remembered to use them. To say I was surprised is a bit of an understatement. They are made of some soft squidgy silicone which makes them an easy and comfortable fit in my ears.
Importantly for my safety, I can still hear the engine and road noise such as sirens, car horns etc. but not as sharply as before and it has completely cut out the wind noise which was giving me earache.
It is now several thousand miles later and it’s ten out of ten for the custom made ear plugs by Ultimate Ear they are definitely worth the extra money over the soft pellet ear plugs. Now I think I’ll just get my pipe and slippers!
About Andrew Prendergast
Andrew has been riding motorcycles since he was 10 years old and currently rides a GSX1400 as his daily commuter whether it is sunny or snowing. In addition, he is currently restoring an old Honda CB750 K1. Andrew practices across all areas of motorcycle law, with his practice involving both civil claims and motoring defence work.
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May 6th, 2012 on 1:33 am
I have riden bikes since I was sixteen and for a few years I was a dispatch rider clocking up 98,000 miles in between MOT’s. I simply didn’t think about ear plugsin those days. now I wear the bullet type cheap plugs and long journeys seem less tiring. however I am about to turn fifty and already the damage to my hearing is causing me problems, probably from those days of dispach riding. Even if you dont go for the executive comfort plugs I recomend you dont ride without ear protection. Maybe i’ll treat myself to the custom fit variety for my 50th birthday even if it is a bit late now.
May 11th, 2012 on 7:45 pm
I had soft silicon earplugs made by PLUGGZ at one of the BMF shows about three years back. MY only gripe was that I had to remove the link cord which began to hurt the bottom of my ears after about twenty minutes or so. Not a problem, it just means I have to remember to put them in their case whenever I take them out. For track use I still prefer to use the soft yellow throw away plugs made by M*****x and bought in bulk.
Ken Lines.
May 14th, 2012 on 8:19 pm
I used to despatch as well Mike, back in the mid 80′s when helmets were noisier and controllers never stopped shouting, especially on open circuit. I have got a set of plugs from the same place as Chef. Ultimate Ear do a set with earphones which are robust and give excellent sound if you like music when you ride. My ears thankfully have not been too badly damaged as I started wearing earplugs about 15 years ago. I really do nag my youger colleagues to wear earplugs. Chef has only twigged on since his much better half has gone to work on him. She always rides with plugs.
May 17th, 2012 on 8:26 am
[...] I’ve found it to be a fairly quiet lid on the few occasions when I’m not being an old man and wearing ear plugs! About Andrew PrendergastAndrew has been riding motorcycles since he was 10 years old and [...]