On the superslab today, I saw a cop on my side of the freeway, pulled over on the median with cherries on.  There was a motorcycle from the oncoming side of the freeway, also pulled over into the median.  I figured that the rider probably pulled over, and the cop stopped to assist (since their vehicles were pointing in opposite directions).

I rode through a cloverleaf and came back to see if the rider needed any help.  As I was coming up to them, I thought "oops, I have bright green earplugs in... maybe I should keep my helmet on".  I've heard that it's illegal to ride with earplugs (but you can still get a license to ride if you're deaf, LOL).

Anybody ever get a ticket for wearing earplugs?

In MD, earplugs are prohibited by law with the exception of "Custom Made Earplugs"...whatever the hell that means.  The AMA site has a search page that lists most traffic laws relevant to motorcycles:

http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp

HUH???

states have varying laws regarding the use of headphones and/or earplugs while riding.  for example, some states allow the use of a single headphone, some states allow 2, and some states don't allow them at all.

what?

I have never. Strange, Rema1000. I ride with earplugs any time I know I have to hit a freeway, and have never thought twice about being pulled over.

Quote from: groff22I have never. Strange, Rema1000. I ride with earplugs any time I know I have to hit a freeway, and have never thought twice about being pulled over.

Yeah but the RCMP are dumb. They would never think about giving a ticket for that.

for a while only "custom made" earplugs were legal in california. last year the law was changed by some senator guy to include all earplugs cause he said, and i paraphrase, "this law only benefitted the custom earplug makers" makes sense, doncha think? =P anywho, I think it's also legal to ride w/ an earbud, (y'know the radio headphone things) in one ear.  :dunno: go figure... gotta love cali =P

Interesting what you say here Rema.  Seems a bit harsh to me.

Looking at the AMA link raylarrabee provided, it suggests you have to have at least one ear free of any obstruction.  (Ref: the Helmet Speakers heading)

Do you then have to choose which ear you sacrifice to wind noise?  

I'll have to search the Michigan Highway Act to see if there's anything specific to ear plugs here.  Since law makers don't seem to care about speakers in one's helmet, I kinda doubt it.

If I was in Maryland or Minnesota, I'd take my chances with ear plugs -- law be damned.

I'll just put my initials on my earplugs with a sharpie and call them "custom"

Maybe the Harley store has chrome "custom" earplugs?

Quote from: AgentNitzfor a while only "custom made" earplugs were legal in california. last year the law was changed by some senator guy to include all earplugs

You heard it HERE first!  

Quote from: KerryYou heard it HERE first!  

Yuk, yuk...  

Don't know what's legal here in Pa, but when I have to do road trips that require high speeds and 100+ miles I wear the plugs. I did too many trips where I got to my destination and could notice the hearing deficiency.

I  :kiss: my hearing.

banjo

I wear 'em sometimes...  It's great on the freeway, but I HATE it on surface roads...  I can't hear cars coming...  Can't hear people screaming at me for doing stupid shaZam!...

I figure the 15 min on the freeway can't be as bad as band practice for 2 hours.   :dunno:

I wore earplugs for band practice when I used to be young and cool.  Now I am older and uncool, but I still have mony hearing  

I wear earplugs at band practice too...  But, I'm still deaf after.

I guess we don't have to have everything cranked to 11, but it's more fun that way.

i should get some plugs for my wife to wear when we go she always complains of the noise. then when we get home she can give them to me and i wont have to listen to the complaining anymore.

It sounds like the answer is "no": it may not be legal everywhere, but anecdotal evidence is that the law is not strictly enforced.

Saved me from a killer headache this weekend to Carlisle, even got pulled over... right  
Never said a thing about ear plugs.