2Wheeltips

More words of wisdom from David Hough:

Q:  Tell us what you think about the economy of riding a motorcycle year-round (weather permitting)
Bikes emit less pollution into the atmosphere, what about the green aspect of biking. (submitted by Ivan W., Long Beach, CA)
 
A:  I always get a chuckle out of having some obvious non-rider come up for a chat, and the very first question is, "how many miles per gallon does it get?" That's sort of an American perspective, that people ride motorcycles to save money. Mile per mile, I suspect that a mid-sized motorcycle costs about the same as a compact car. My wife's $17,000 Toyota Corrola gets an honest 34 miles per gallon, can carry four people in comfort, and none need to wear expensive helmets or riding gear. I expect the tires to last for at least 40,000 miles, and I never expect to have to repack the transmission splines or change the driveshaft. An individual motorcycle pollutes about the same as an individual car, we're only "green" because there are fewer bikes than cars. The primary reason to commute on a bike is getting through slow moving traffic. And only one state doesn't prohibit lane sharing, so that takes away the big advantage. It's not that I dislike motorcycles, but let's be honest about the situation.
 
Q:  What kind of organizational politics (MSF and others) are preventing us from having a better, safer riders out there?
Has anyone ever entertained a though of creating a bike lane on the highway. Is there a precedent?

A:  Discussing the politics of motorcycle safety is a risky business, because big money is at stake. Ever since the late 1970s, the major motorcycle manufacturers have put between 5 and 8 million dollars each year into a foundation. Unfortunately, the foundation has has been given multiple and sometimes conflicting tasks. The first task is to show the government that the industry is doing something about the problem of too many motorcycle crashes and fatalities. The second task is to provide beginner rider training that's as cheap and simple as possible. The third task is to sell more motorcycles. Back in the good old days we thought the industry-funded foundation was set up to help riders get smarter and more skilled. Eventually we realized that the foundation was limited by the conflicting priorities. For instance, if your priority is to get a newly-trained rider to buy a new bike, you don't want to see him or her fail the tests. So, you make the exercises simple and friendly, and the tests easy to pass. You know he's not ready for the street, but he needs a completion card to get his endorsement--so he's ready and motivated to buy a bike.
 
This won't change until each state takes full responsibility for it's rider training, meaning it must tell any national industry-financed foundations to stay out of the way. The training courses need to be developed to answer the specific needs of that state, based on real-world crash statistics. What might change the marginal situation we now have, is a movement by motorcycle enthusiasts to regain control of their own state programs, and kick out the industry lobbyists and lawyers. Two states have done that so far, Oregon and Idaho. But other states are paralyzed by the political clout of struggling dealerships who need to sell more bikes NOW.
 
More to come from David Hough....stay tuned!!

You hear a lot of ideas about making yourself seen while riding.  Well, one very simple tip is to turn your high beams on during the day.  High beams will not blind oncoming drivers during the day since our eyes are adjusted to daylight already.  And high beams will give you that extra bit of visibility that is so important.

Remember, high beams still should  be used selectively at night.  Just like high beams on a car, your motorcycle's high beams can blind an oncoming driver.

You need to modify your riding style when riding on new tires.,

New tires are very very slippery. There are conflicting reasons for this (mold release compound, chemicals used in the molding process etc.) but one thing is for sure, hard leaning and quick braking on new tires is a quick way to crash your bike.

Although some people will tell you to use  sandpaper, degreaser or do a "burn out", the only way to get rid of the slippery surface is through the friction caused by riding.  75 miles is usually enough to get it off.

The first 5 - 10 miles are the most dangerous. The tires have limited grip and will drift from even the slightest lean.  So take it nice and slow. As you get closer to 30 miles you can begin leaning a bit more to wear the tires closer to the edges. As you get closer to 75 miles, you will feel the tires grip more.

One final tip. Even after you have passed 75 miles, remember your tires are still new. Save the hard leans and braking for when you have a few hundred miles on the tires.

Here is a quick tip most riders haven't considered. If you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a communication system for your bike, or you don't want a bunch of cables hooked up everywhere, consider getting a motorcycle bluetooth headset.

They use the same technology as cellphones headsets you see stuck in everyones ears. they come with speakers and a microphone that you attach to the inside and side of your helmet and let you talk to your passenger without using wires.

Good ones come with noise canceling technology to cut out the wind noise and automatic volume control to adjust the volume when on the highway. The sound is clear enough even while wearing earplugs.

Some models link to your GPS so you can hear the turn by turn voice prompts.. Still others link to your cellphone to let your answer calls without taking off your helmet.

If you and a riding buddy both have motorcycle headsets, you can link them to your cellphones and place a call before you ride. That way you will be able to talk to each other while riding. I call it the poor mans alternative to an expensive CB radio.

As a new rider, you will no doubt be reluctant to ride at night.  Night time riding does have its own risks but you can safely ride at night if you make some adjustments.

1st you need to slow down. One problem common to experienced and novice riders alike is over driving their headlights. You need to drive at a speed that will allow you to stop within the distance you can see.

2nd you need to make yourself more visible. If you plan to ride at night, you should wear reflective clothing so drivers can see you. Don't assume your lights are enough. When coming to a stop, you may want to tap your brakes a few times to flash them for drivers behind you. Also you should use your horn more at night to let others around you know you are there. A quick beep when beside a are or when passing will let others know you are there.

3rd is being prepared for nocturnal animals. Lots of critters like to come out at night and you need to be prepared for raccoons, possums, rabbits and other creatures you may see on or beside the road. If you can, avoid roads where you know animals are likely to appear.

4th is to be extra cautious at intersections. Slow down and look before riding through them. Drivers have a hard time seeing you during the day, much less at night.

Night riding can be very enjoyable and if you follow these tips, you can reduce your   risk of getting in an accident.

Now that riding season is in full swing, we thought we'd offer some quick tips for those of you who are passengers.

Don't go out with a brand new rider (or one with poor riding skills)
A newbie is still learning basics motorcycle skills and this takes time.....and miles. Let the rider get a few months of riding experience (and hundreds of miles) before you hop on. A poorly skilled rider is even worse with a passenger.

Protective gear applies to the passenger too.
Just because you are in the back does not mean you cannot get hurt in an accident or be hit by flying debris.

While riding, avoid unnecessary movement
The operator can feel you moving around and it alters the balance of the bike. So keep movement to a minimum.

Keep your feet on the foot pegs.
Make sure you keep your feet and legs away from hot or moving parts on the bike. The pipes are hot enough to cook your breakfast and will not have a problem roasting your leg.

Use your knees to brace yourself when going over bumps for bumps
If the bike has a sissy bar, you can use it to brace yourself.  This will keep you from sliding forward and clicking helmet with the operator when braking.

Don't death grip the rider.
The operator can not control the bike if you are wrapped around him/her like a snake. All you need to do is hold your hands lightly on the operator's waist...you will find a balance that will work without having to grab tightly.

Lean into curves with the operator.
Your position behind the operator should be neutral....you are not there to be a counterweight.  As the bike takes turns, learn to look over the rider's shoulder in the direction of the turn (right shoulder, right turn....left shoulder, left turn).

Riding as a passenger on a bike can be almost as much fun as operating a bike.  And, if you want the operator of the bike to enjoy riding with you as much as you enjoy riding as a passenger, all it takes is these simple tips to make your ride safe and enjoyable.

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:

/members/profile/640

[email protected]
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:

/members/profile/640

[email protected]
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:

/members/profile/640

[email protected]
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:

/members/profile/640

[email protected]
www.newyorkspeechandhearing.com
Office: (212) 260-1414