2Wheeltips

One word of advice if you are considering getting a used motorcycle helmet:  DON'T!   When it comes to helmets, you need to follow this simple rule:  one and it's done... one impact to that helmet, either from an accident or fall, or simply from being dropped several feet onto the floor, and that helmet's ability to protect your head is reduced...and the damage on a helmet is not always visible.  As the operator or passenger on a bike, always buy a new DOT or SNELL certified helmet from a reputable dealer.  And keep in mind that if that used bike you are buying comes with a helmet from the previous owner, keep the bike....but don't use the helmet!

Anyone who has taken an MSF class knows that using front AND rear brake is the proper thing to do for maximum stopping power.
However, you will still hear some folks swear by – ironically – one over the other; with both Front-Brake or Rear-Brake advocates taking an even share of the market.

There have been three reasons (that I’ve been able to identify) as to why are people so hell-bent on picking one over the other. Here is what they are.

First.
Most of us have a bad childhood memory of laying too heavy on the front brake on our bicycles and flying (or almost flying) over the handle bars. This taught us never to use the front brake. These people grew up advocating using only rear brake on their motorcycles.
Motorcycle however, has shock absorbents on the front wheel which results in the front side of the motorcycle “sinking” into the ground. As long as your front wheel is not locked for more then a second, your ass will remain firmly planted on the seat.

Second.
The experts - and by that I mean professional motorcycle racers – advocate the use of the front brake only. After all, aren’t these guys the professionals and wouldn’t they know what brake is the best?

Turns out, not necessarily.

Using front brake during a motorcycle race is –in fact – the right thing to do, for them.
This is because they are flying at 150+ mph on these really light bikes and hitting the back brake is pointless since the back of the bike is quite literarily being lifted off the ground.
Since the back of the motorcycle is airborne it would be quite pointless for them to use a back brake. However, most of us are not riding at those speeds and most of us ride (statistically speaking anyways) heavy cruisers which means that when we brake both wheels will remain firmly planted on the ground.



Third.
Using both Front-Brake and Rear-Brake is appropriate only when the bike is straightened-out. This means that using front brake while your front wheel is turned (to the left or to the right) is likely to result in crash. Also, whenever you find yourself in a curve (at higher speeds – above 25mph – you will be counter steering) it’s a really good idea to lay off the front brake. 

However, if you find yourself making turns at lower speeds (under 25mph – and some would say under 15mph) it is quite OK and considered proper form to use the rear brake to stabilize your bike.

So as you can see the use of Front-Brake or Rear-Brake is dependant on circumstances, and what’s correct for some may not be correct for others. Using Front-Brake alone is ok for racers (or is it racists? lol) but for the rest of us its not so clear cut.


Also, don’t forget what you learned in your MSF class. Make sure you do all your braking (and shifting into lower gear) while your bike is straight-up and before you lay into the curve. Take the outside-inside-outside trajectory and accelerate while going through the bend.

Keep your throttle in the higher RPMs so that you have “speed on demand” if and when it’s needed.


Two articles in one day…I’m feeling creative today :-)
 

Riding on days when it's cold in the morning and cool during the days can be a little uncomfortable if you are not properly dressed.

Most riders park their bikes when the temperature dips below 58 but you can continue to ride without  spending hundreds of dollars for a bulky winter riding suit.

An easy and inexpensive way to keep warm is  to buy silk liners. You can get silk socks, pants, shirts, gloves and caps that you can wear under your regular clothing. They are super thin and will trap enough heat to keep you warm on those chilly afternoon rides.

For colder days you may want to go with thermal liners. They do tend to be a bit more bulky but are much cheaper than a full blown riding suit.

You don't have to go out and buy liners from an expensive motorcycle store or catalog. They are available in your local department store and online and work just as well.

Once the temperature gets close to the 40's you will need to get a winter riding suit and perhaps heated grips. Not many ride when the temperature gets down in the 30's but if you plan on doing year round riding, a heated suit is a must.

No doubt you have seen advertisements for special motorcycle socks that keep your feet dry in the summer and nice and toasty when riding in cool weather. These "special socks" also come with a "special price" of $15.00 or more per pair. Construction workers, police and athletes also need dry warm feet and they don't pay anywhere near that much for socks.

Department store socks work fine for riding. For hot weather rides, get socks made for running. They will wick the moisture away from your feet. For cooler weather, get thicker socks or buy sock liners. No ankle socks; you need them long enough to give protection from the wind and flying debris.

One way to protect your legs from road hazards and from the wind on cool days is to wear chaps. Most will buy chaps as a fashion statement. They do look good, if properly fitted. Others will buy them after getting hit on the lower leg by a rock or some other flying debris. In either case, they are a good fashionable alternative to expensive riding pants and I've yet to see a motorcycle show that didn't have a chaps vendor.

Chaps come in various styles, materials and lengths. The most common type is the full leather chap that covers the entire leg. Although they look nice, they can be very hot in the summer. An alternative to the full chap is the half chap. These fit over your riding boots and provide protection from the ankle to the knee.  We've seen some made of ballistic nylon which give full chap protection without making the wearer too hot.

If you do decide to go the chaps route, make sure you get measured for a proper fit. Few things look worse than a bad pair of chaps.

By: Dr. Melissa E. Heche, AuD
Doctor of Audiology

The fact has been established that plugs are needed to protect your hearing while riding a motorcycle.  But which earplugs are best suited for you, as the motorcyclist?  Which ones will be the most comfortable and – most importantly – the most functional to protect your hearing?  All different types of plugs will be addressed so that you make an informed choice to protect your hearing while riding.

All hearing protection earplugs are measured based upon an “NRR.”  This stands for Noise Reduction Rating.  Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is the measurement of the accuracy with which a hearing protector reduces noise.  This is measured in decibels (dB).  In general – the higher the NRR number, the greater the noise reduction. When more than one protector is used, research has shown that the combined NRR provides approximately 5 - 10 decibels more than the higher rate of the two devices. For example, using ear plugs (NRR of 29 decibels) with ear muffs (NRR 27) would provide a Noise Reduction Rating of approximately 39 decibels.

As a motorcycle rider, you are wearing a helmet and therefore cannot utilize supra-aural ear muffs over your plugs.  So, you want to ensure that the plugs you choose will provide the best protection.  Depending upon which helmet you choose, you may benefit from some extra protection.  But the main protecting agent will be the device you put into your ear.

Commonly used by many are the generic hearing protection plugs that are bought in the drugstore. They are disposable and made of either foam or wax, which compresses and then releases inside the canal to attempt to seal the canal.  There are reusable plugs that are functional for a finite number of uses and conform to the canal.  They may be tethered by a cord.  For each of these, the package will give you an NRR rating of anywhere from 23-29 dB.  However, be aware that these plugs are not “one size fits all.”  In fact, a true hermitic seal is rarely obtained when this plug is placed into the canal.  That means that there is air leakage – and if there is air leakage, then sound is working its way into the canal.  Therefore, protection against the loud noise is not complete.

Custom fit hearing protection earmolds are made to fit precisely into your ear canal.  An ear mold impression is taken of your ears and then sent to a laboratory where the mold is designed given the specific style and material.  The custom hearing protection earmold comes in a number of different models that are utilized for a variety of purposes.  The plugs can be filtered or unfiltered depending upon the need.  As an audiologist, I choose the size and model of the hearing protection earmold depending upon the sounds we are trying to protect against; I choose a different protection plugs for musicians, hunters and construction workers, for example.

The best fit custom hearing protection earplugs for motorcycle riders is the Westone 4RT.  It is the most advantageous because it serves the needs given the variables of motorcycle riding:  the use of a helmet over the plug, the need to be able to hear street noise, the dangerous nature of the noise levels of the wind.  The Westone 4RToffers a complete seal and fits comfortably underneath the helmet.  The mold is formed as a hollow canal style – facilitating increased comfort and reduced resistance.  There is also a graduated frequency response.  The lower frequencies are not attenuated as much as the higher frequencies.  This allows the rider to still be able to hear the engine, gauge speed and identify the presence of traffic.  Hearing is thus protected, without compromising your ability to ride safely.

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Dr. Heche is a Doctor of Audiology and Clinical Voice and Swallowing Pathologist. She is dually certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in NYS in Audiology and Speech Pathology. In addition, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is Board Certified in Audiology. Dr. Heche is also a NYS licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Dr. Heche runs the NYC-based private practice New York Speech & Hearing and can be reached at:

http://www.2wheeltips.com/members/profile/640

mheche@newyorkspeechandhearing.com
www.newyorkspeechandhearing.com
Office: (212) 260-1414

 

By: Dr. Melissa E. Heche, AuD
Doctor of Audiology

Awareness of the levels of noise to which a motorcyclist is exposed is an important component to the process of riding.  Once that awareness level has been reached, the responsibility is on the motorcyclist to take an active role in utilizing appropriate hearing protection.  Often, the motorcyclist has the knowledge basis but does not execute a plan for hearing protection usage for many reasons.  The reasons differ but the fundamental thought process of the motorcyclist is that the use of hearing protection will alter the ride.  Because of this, it is important to address these myths to expose their fallacious nature; in this way, you can be assured that the use of hearing protection will not be a detriment at all to your riding.

 “My motorcycle is not as loud as you think”
Think again – it most certainly is.  As we have already learned, depending upon the motorcycle you drive and how you modify it, the motorcycle is actually louder than you think.

“All the noise from the motorcycle goes behind me and does not hit my ears”
The noise from your bike and the baffle noise bounce back and does end up becoming a contributing factor to the noise to which you are exposed while riding.  However, as we have previously discussed, the main culprit of noise while riding is the wind noise.  Without protection against this wind noise, your hearing will invariably be impacted.   

“The helmet protects my hearing”
Many riders believe that the helmet provides an adequate amount of hearing protection.  Not only is the helmet an ineffective method of hearing protection, it can also be a significant cause of increased noise exposure.

“The earplugs will be uncomfortable under my helmet”
This is absolutely untrue.  I will explain in detail the most comfortable plugs and why they are comfortable, even underneath the helmet.

“I need to hear other motorists – that’s how motorcycle riders can get killed, if they cannot hear other motorists on the road”
This is the most common misconception, and the one that should be addressed to the greatest extent.  Oftentimes, a motorcyclist will indicate to me that he or she knows wearing hearing protection is important, but the fear of not being able to hear what is necessary impedes them from doing so.  One of the main concerns is that the rider will be unable to hear anything else that is occurring on the road.  Obviously, it is incredibly important to hear the other motorists, and to make certain that the surrounding motorists have an awareness of you as the riding motorcyclist.  However, this capacity does not get lost when wearing hearing protection.  Environmental sounds become attenuated (softer) but are still audible.  SO, the rider will still be able to hear environmental sounds – just at softer and less dangerous levels.  

Hearing protection products are available in a number of different varieties and styles, each of which possess different assets and liabilities to the overall fitting.  A standard measure, called the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is utilized to ascertain level of function of the hearing protection product with respect to the capacity to block the sound.  It is important to note that the NRR does not have a linear relationship with the attenuation of sound.  Rather, it is a formula that is utilized to determine what the overall noise reduction will be based upon the conversion from one scale of sound measurement (a “C” rated scale mandated by OSHA for industrial workplaces) to another scale of measurement better suited for determining the impact on human hearing (an “A” weighted scale). The rule of thumb is that the higher the NRR, the more protective the plug will be for your hearing.  

Other variables involved in ascertaining how beneficial the hearing protection plug will be includes the type of plug utilized, the material that comprises the plug (including its porosity), and the overall fit of the plug.  Many people choose to wear the one-size-fits-all over the counter disposable foam plugs.  If they are not placed securely in the ear, and a true seal is not obtained, the wearer may not be getting the full benefit of using the hearing protection plug.    Which plugs are best suited for the motorcycle rider in terms of comfort, ease of function and reliability?   Await the detailed explanation, so that you can choose the right hearing protection when you ride your motorcycle!

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Dr. Heche is a Doctor of Audiology and Clinical Voice and Swallowing Pathologist. She is dually certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in NYS in Audiology and Speech Pathology. In addition, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is Board Certified in Audiology. Dr. Heche is also a NYS licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Dr. Heche runs the NYC-based private practice New York Speech & Hearing and can be reached at:

http://www.2wheeltips.com/members/profile/640

mheche@newyorkspeechandhearing.com
www.newyorkspeechandhearing.com
Office: (212) 260-1414

 

By: Dr. Melissa E. Heche, AuD
Doctor of Audiology

Knowing the impact of hazardous noise exposure on the hearing system is extremely important – but knowing the levels of noise to which we regularly expose ourselves is even more important.  Regular exposure to high levels of noise tends to cause an acclimation effect - a person can get used to hearing the hazardous level of sound and therefore not realize that it is offending the auditory system.  It is essential to be aware of these levels so that informed decisions can be made regarding length of exposure and need for protection.

    There are several variables that impact the noise levels to which a motorcyclist is exposed.  First of all, the motorcycle itself emits a significant amount of noise.  The level of noise largely depends on the brand of motorcycle – some brands give off louder noise levels than others.  However, approximately one-half of all motorcycles produce sounds that are at levels exceeding 100 dB.  These levels are recorded at greater than 105 dB when the motorcycle is ridden at speeds greater than 70 dB.  Additionally, changes in the structure of the motorcycle will also impact the noise levels produced by the motorcycle.  Reducing or perforating the baffles have been illustrated to add approximately 5-10 dB on the overall noise levels produced by the motorcycle; removing the baffles altogether ass approximately 10-15 dB on the overall noise levels produced by the motorcycle. 

    Many motorcyclists feel that the use of a helmet is adequate hearing protection.  this is not the case – in fact, depending upon the helmet worn the overall noise levels can be increased 5-10 dB.   The wind noise is the greatest culprit of these noise levels.  Typically, an open faced helmet offers the greatest decrease in noise levels followed by the full faced helmet.  If the full faced helmet were worn with the visor opened, the wind noise would increase 5-7 dB.  In fact, the edge of the windscreen might increase the noise level of the wind 10 dB at riding speeds greater than 50-60 dB.  Helmets with larger vents also increase the noisiness of the wind.  This is in addition to the general noise produced by the motorcycle. 

    The additional 5 or 10 dB of noise added by some of the variables that motorcyclists face could be the difference between safe and unsafe exposure.  It is important to be aware of these levels so that you can be properly protected and maintain your hearing health. 

    How does one adequately protect their hearing?  Stay tuned for next week!

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Dr. Heche is a Doctor of Audiology and Clinical Voice and Swallowing Pathologist. She is dually certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in NYS in Audiology and Speech Pathology. In addition, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is Board Certified in Audiology. Dr. Heche is also a NYS licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Dr. Heche runs the NYC-based private practice New York Speech & Hearing and can be reached at:

http://www.2wheeltips.com/members/profile/640

mheche@newyorkspeechandhearing.com
www.newyorkspeechandhearing.com
Office: (212) 260-1414

 

By: Dr. Melissa E. Heche, AuD
Doctor of Audiology

Now that we know how the ear system works, let’s find out what the impact of noise exposure could be.  What constitutes noise is so varied – some people consider noise just a signal of interference.  Others consider noise to be sounds outside of what is expected - the hum of tires, talking in a library, a police siren.  Noise has also been defined as any unwanted sound, whatever it may be.  However, this definition does not take into consideration sounds that are harmfully loud but perfectly acceptable to the individual listening to them (i.e. loud concert music or loud motorcycle baffles).  The true definition of noise, according to the Acoustical Society of America, is an “acoustic signal that can negatively affect the physiological or psychological well-being of an individual.”  Therefore, noises are sounds at levels that are hazardous to the ear system.

What levels of sounds are “hearing hazardous”?  There are two variables that ascertain the ability of a sound to cause damage to the hearing system.  The first variable is the loudness of the sound.  Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB) – the higher the decibel level, the louder the sound.  Sounds louder than 80 decibels may be potentially hazardous to the hearing system.  As sounds get louder, the amount of time to which you are exposed to that sound becomes critical.  Standards have been developed to ascertain the length of time one can be exposed to loud sounds without causing permanent damage.  These standards have been developed by OSHA and are as follows:

• Sound levels at 85 dB = No more than 8 hours of exposure
• Sound levels at 88 dB = No more than 4 hours of exposure
• Sound levels at 91 dB = No more than 2 hours of exposure
• Sound levels at 94 dB = No more than 1 hour of exposure
• Sound levels at 97 dB = No more than 30 minutes of exposure
• Sound levels at 100 dB = No more than 15 minutes of exposure

Please note that over one-half of all motorcycles produce sounds in excess of 100 dB (depending upon the brand).  For motorcyclists riding at speeds over 70 mph, noise levels are in excess of 105 dB.  This means that, without using any hearing protection, the average motorcyclist cannot ride for more than 15 minutes or less without causing permanent hearing damage.

Hearing damage can occur from loud impulse sounds.  An immediate, permanent hearing loss accompanied by a high pitched tinnitus (ringing/buzzing in the ears) can occur.  This is a sudden change in hearing status and auditory health.  By contrast, continuous exposure to loud noise damages the structure of the hair cells in the inner ear.  As the hair cells become increasingly damaged, gradual hearing loss and tinnitus develops. 

Exposure to hazardous levels of noise, either impulse or continuous, may initially only cause a temporary hearing loss.  If hearing function is essentially restores, this is known as a temporary shift in hearing thresholds.  Recovery from a temporary threshold shift occurs about 24-72 hours following exposure.  However, recurring episodes of Temporary Threshold Shifts result in Permanent Threshold Shifts – or a Noise Induced Hearing loss.  Once this happens, the hair cells are damaged irreparably.  This will result in significant difficulties hearing in noisy situations and decreased capacities with the discrimination of speech sounds.

Exposure to high levels of noise does not only impact the hearing system.  Other systems are impacted negatively by this noise exposure.  Typically, excessive noise exposure causes headaches and fatigue.  In addition, the circulatory and digestive systems are impacted as well; excessive noise exposure causes an increase in blood pressure.  Respiratory difficulties may also coexist.

The goal is to limit “hearing hazardous” – control exposure to hazardous noise levels.  The best way to do this is to have a working knowledge of the levels to which we are exposed on a regular basis, and to protect ourselves accordingly to maintain the integrity of our hearing function.

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Dr. Heche is a Doctor of Audiology and Clinical Voice and Swallowing Pathologist. She is dually certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in NYS in Audiology and Speech Pathology. In addition, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is Board Certified in Audiology. Dr. Heche is also a NYS licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Dr. Heche runs the NYC-based private practice New York Speech & Hearing and can be reached at:

http://www.2wheeltips.com/members/profile/640

mheche@newyorkspeechandhearing.com
www.newyorkspeechandhearing.com
Office: (212) 260-1414

 

Funny how something as irrelevant as your hair can become a big problem.  Hair that is longer than crew cut length can sometimes make its way into your eyes while riding, even if you wear a full face helmet. You should consider wearing something like a riding scarf or bandanna whenever you ride, to keep your hair where it belongs.

In cool weather, wearing a scarf or cap under your helmet can keep your head warm.   So, if you are riding in cooler weather, you might want to consider having a thin, stretchy cap to wear.  There are many products available on the market that can be used to keep your hair in place; find the solution that best suits your comfort and needs.  Just keep in mind these tips:

    •    When shopping for a head scarf, etc., you need to consider that your current helmet just may no longer be as comfortable as it was without the scarf.  It is funny how something as thin as a headscarf made out of nylon, for example, can take up enough room to make you need a different size helmet.  Shop around to find one that works with your helmet.

    •    Make sure it fits right and will not shift around or slip down over your eyes.