GPJake

Update on the Decibullz after a month of use. I rank the top / #1 in what I've used in all my years riding. They're as comfortable as anything else I've worn. They have better noise reduction - though not anything drastic. I assume this is from the proper "outer seal" of the ear. They're quicker & easier to get properly inserted. I no longer need to do the reaching behind my head / pull ear with opposite arm while inserting. I can just get these in place and smoosh 'em in. Worth the money in my opinion. I'd buy them again. Soon, I should be able to compare them to the 100% custom molded plugs (meaning the inner plug + the outer base). Hopefully I'll remember to offer a comparison then.

Plans for now will stay the same as March: Community Garage / Ride: All invited to arrive any time TBD AM or later. There'll be coffee, water, donuts. Kickstands up no later than TBD AM. Leaving sooner could allow a more twisty, less direct route. Arrive @ Elk Creek no later than TBD for custom molded ear plug service. $50 per set. Takes 10-15 minutes each to make. I advised there will be TBD people buying plugs, with a potential 5th. We're flexible at this point. Lunch probably a good idea . Share suggestions? Let me know if any questions or if I've left anything out!

Re-schedule of March season opener - let's try to kick off the season again! We've had a few warmer days in March, but our Community Garage days ended up being accompanied by snow/rain and temps below freezing. WHAT: A day to perform various light maintenance on motorcycles, then a group ride afterwards. Examples of "light maintenance": changing oil, changing brake pads, chain / sprocket replacements, motorcycle wash & dry, chain clean & lube, adjust suspension, install a horn etc. You will ride to the garage, and ride out with the group as we finish. WHY: To be a resource for tri-state riders who: Don't have tools and/or a place to work on their motorcycle. Do have tools and/or a place to work, but enjoy wrenching with others. Just want to hang out, watch & learn from each other. WHERE: I'm willing to host at my house. I have most tools, a motorcycle lift, universal stands, chain tool/belt gauge, etc. WHEN: To be decided by this poll. Barring the unknown, it'll be the date with the most votes. Time of day TBD closer to the date as discussed in this topic. Anything I haven't addressed? Let me know... Important: We're hobbyists who love motorcycles & enjoy wrenching on our own. Attendees are self-taught people who learn from the web, forums, YouTube, etc. There will be no mechanics, certified professionals or similar attending. The person who rides the bike to the event - and only that person - is wholly responsible for that bike and anything done in the garage. This includes any and all damage, accidental or otherwise. You must ride out with the group as the day finishes. This is not for long-term projects or storage.

@JeremyM @Atrain @Windfall @Elongo06 @Benjamelon @Remi Anne Right now, weather outlook shows: Sunday, March 12th: High of 46 degrees + scattered rain Sunday, March 19th: High of 54 + partly sunny UPDATE - Community Garage + Group Ride will now be Sunday, March 19th. I called Elk Creek and confirmed the person who does ear plugs will be there for us on the 19th (typically her day off). Plan for the 19th: All invited to arrive any time 8:30 AM or later. There'll be coffee, water, donuts. Kickstands up no later than 10:30 AM. Leaving sooner could allow a more twisty, less direct route. Arrive @ Elk Creek no later than Noon for custom molded ear plug service. $50 per set. Takes 10-15 minutes each to make. I advised there will be 4 people buying plugs, with a potential 5th. We're flexible at this point. Lunch probably a good idea . Share suggestions? Let me know if any questions or if I've left anything out!

That sounds pretty damn good. Very nice.

That's either her, or someone else named Shadoe!

Sure. I'll let her know.

Interesting. I actually checked my bike only with Erie, and it was over twice as expensive as Progressive. I don't recall seeing anything about needing an auto policy, but maybe that had something to do with it...

UPDATE - @Atrain @Elongo06 @JeremyM @Windfall @Benjamelon I called about 15 different places (moto shops / dealers, gun ranges, sporting goods retailers, race tracks, etc). The only one that offers the service of custom molded earplugs is the place mentioned above in Owenton, KY. I called Elk Creek to confirm they still offer the ear plug service. Info below: Custom molded earplugs available. Standard, solid plug (ie no interchangeable filters). Cost is $50 per set. Takes about 10 minutes each to make. Our meetup / ride is set for Sunday, March 12th. There is 1 person at Elk Creek that does the plugs, and she does not work Sundays. HOWEVER, she offered to come in on Sunday 12th at a specific time to make plugs for us. I told her I would confirm & get back to her. So - to each of you - please let me know one of the below ASAP. She is also ordering more materials to ensure she has enough. YES - I WILL buy a set of plugs. NO - I will NOT buy a set of plugs. Let me know - I want to call her back & let her know ASAP.

Hell yea. There's 1 place that does plugs that @JeremyM has been to. I plan on calling them to confirm they still do it. Definitely open to other ideas.

Since the 12th & 19th tied for votes, let's plan on doing this on the 12th. That way, we can fall back to the 19th if weather sucks or something else happens. @Atrain @Elongo06 @JeremyM @Windfall - whattaya think? I'll have coffee, water, donuts at the garage. People can start showing up anywhere around 10am. (share thoughts on time) We'll head out for the ride when everyone is here, ready & done wrenching (usually a couple / few hours). Preliminary ride destination idea is somewhere we can get custom molded ear plugs. One place in the past was Elk Creek Hunt Club & Resort in Owenton, KY (1 hour / 55 miles from Fountain Square as a general idea). Share other destination ideas you have - especially those who offer custom ear plugs. Share your preference on arrival time & ride destinations per above. Anything we've missed? IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING US BUT MISSED VOTING - REACH OUT! WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU!

Hey @EricB! Sounds like an excellent way to spend some time in retirement 😎 Planning any moto trips? Brutus looks good! The silver/burgundy is a great combo.

no life = best life

100%. I check around about once a year. The last company I was with stopped offering insurance in KY. I'm going to check Erie again also. They were more than Progressive for me last year, but I know @Windfall and @Elongo06 use & like them & their prices.

Because I like trying things I don't technically need, I've been reading about custom molded plugs. It seems one of the more popular choices lately are Decibullz. Figured I'd grab a pair & try them out. $26 on Amazon with a max NRR of 31 (depending on tips used). https://amzn.to/3lt07aS I was obligated to get red to match the Duc. Molding process was straight forward. Instructions say to use the silicone tips that fit best for the molding, but I could NOT get any tips to insert fully before the heating process when I was testing for best fit. Maybe they aren't supposed to, but I tried & tried every size. Eventually I gave up, settled on the middle ones and began the molding process. I was able to get the plugs fully seated once heated. Molding process was simple. They feel like a great fit now. They are hard plastic after molding. Some reviews knock them for pain during helmet on/off. I put my helmet on/off a couple times & wore it a couple minutes and never had pain. A couple times the plugs wanted to fall out as I took the helmet off, but not every time. Time will tell if this becomes annoying. I haven't ridden with them yet to test the noise reduction.

Worth a shot! I haven't called - I don't want to draw any attention! I paid in full & am keeping my mouth shut! 🤐