Believe it or not, motorcycle helmet wind noise can exceed 90 dB at typical riding speeds, and remains one of the most consistent and damaging elements of motorcycle riding. Wind noise can exceed levels known to contribute to permanent hearing loss. Hearing damage is irreversible, making preventative solutions increasingly relevant for daily commuters, tourers and track riders alike. Earplugs designed specifically for riders aim to reduce harmful noise while preserving key auditory cues such as traffic, engine sound and communication systems.
Alpine MotoSafe earplugs are designed specifically for motorcyclists, using acoustic filtering rather than total sound blockage. This approach reduces harmful wind noise while allowing riders to retain awareness of traffic, engine feedback and communication systems. The earplugs are helmet friendly and intended for extended wear without discomfort.
The Alpine MotoSafe Pro Earplugs, Alpine MotoSafe Race Motorcycle Earplugs and Alpine MotoSafe Tour Ear Plugs represent the core of Alpine’s motorcycle oriented range. These products use Alpine’s soft ThermoShape™ material and AlpineAcousticFilters™ to attenuate excessive wind noise without isolating riders from essential sounds. The thermo adaptive material is silicone free, flexible and moulds to the ear canal for extended comfort under helmets.
Different versions cater to riding conditions: “Race” plugs offer higher attenuation for highway or open face helmet use, while “Tour” variants target lower speed or long distance riding. The MotoSafe Pro bundle includes both levels of protection. Filters are reusable and easy to clean, extending service life when maintained.
Independent tests and user feedback have shown that filtered earplugs can significantly reduce wind roar, the primary contributor to rider fatigue and hearing risk, while letting through communication, music, and environmental sounds that support safety. As motorcycle riders increasingly prioritise long term auditory health, products such as MotoSafe earplugs highlight a practical approach to balancing protection with situational awareness.
We, here at Ridefast Online, spend a lot of time in the saddle, generally wearing different types of helmets to suit the theme of the ride, bike or shoot we are doing. All helmets offer different levels of wind noise protection and what we can tell you is this:
- Too much wind noise has your ears ringing for days on end and significantly reduces hearing during that period, it also tires you out immensely and turn a lekker day in the saddle into an arduous chore – wind noise is basically sun burn on your ear drums.
- Too much wind noise protection is great for your ears, but you end up riding basically deaf to what’s happening around you. A lot of you situational awareness, that truck that is having a hard time breaking, that delivery biker steaming down the yellow lane with the intention of going straight where you want to turn into your favourite burger joint, causing you two to meet by accident.
Neither too much wind noise and situational awareness nor too much wind protection and complete oblivion to what’s happening around you is a good situation, and something helmet designers and manufacturers struggle with consistently and compromising more towards their school of thought on the subject. So a product like the Alpine Motosafe Ear Plugs do really make sense to us, and here is just a quick reference guide to what really stood out to us:
- AlpineAcousticFilters™ reduce wind noise without muting critical sounds
- AlpineThermoShape™ (ATS) material adapts to ear shape using body heat
- Silicone-free construction to reduce irritation
- Reusable filters designed for long service life
- Compact profile to prevent pressure inside helmets
- Applications – Quick Reference
- Reduces rider fatigue on short and long rides
- Helps prevent irreversible hearing damage
- Compatible with helmet intercom and audio systems
- Suitable for commuting, touring and performance riding
- Fits most helmet types and ear shapes
So, whether you are on a Superbike, an Adventure bike, a Commuter biker or a dirt bike, if you don’t want to be constantly asking people to repeat themselves… just a little louder and a little slower, or would prefer not having to go the hearing aid route in your golden years, then maybe you really do need to consider investing in a set of MotoSafe Earplugs.
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