Fly in my ear

Lurkable · May 12th, 2009, 05:29 PM

I left home earlier this afternoon on my way to class but I only got a few blocks away from my house when I was forced to make an emergency stop. This fly came at me so hard and pushed through the foam pads to the empty, non-padded area around my right ear but didn't stop there. Of course it had to see how far it could climb into my ear and.....oh my god, the horror! I could not get to the side of the road fast enough. This thing was crawling around in my ear...I suddenly was thinking of Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom. I tore off my gloves and caught my nose (which is still a little sore) as I pulled the helmet off.

When I looked down at the ground I found it alive but struggling. I wasn't sure if I should put it out of it's misery, or take a picture or what. I decided to let it die slowly in quiet contemplation and hopefully, repentance.

Seriously though, I'm starting to wonder if I bought a helmet one size too big. It's a Shoei RF-1000, large. And the foam padding is definitely not what it was six months ago when I bought it. If I shake my head up and down it will not move, but side to side...it will move a little...

Snake · May 12th, 2009, 05:37 PM

Wow that is an incredible story. I had a fly enter my helmet one time but it crawled around the inside of the face shield. I was able to lift the shield and let it out. Was very dificult to concentrate on riding with it bigger than life just inches from my face.

ManyCavies · May 12th, 2009, 05:51 PM

I think you can replace the foam padding? Check New Enough
http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eye...n_pads/?page=2

BlueTyke · May 12th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Nature happens... Bugs happen... Helmets and bugs? Yeah.. That happens too.

Snake · May 12th, 2009, 05:56 PM

In June the "Love bugs" will be out and boy do they make a mess on the front of the bike and your faceshield.

DirtyBoy · May 12th, 2009, 05:56 PM

Might be time to replace those cheek pads. A couple of weeks ago I opened my visor at a light and left it open. Well a few minutes later a damn bee found its way to my ear and stung me. Didn't hurt as bad as people make it sound.

Lurkable · May 12th, 2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyCavies

I think you can replace the foam padding? Check New Enough
http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eye...n_pads/?page=2

Good call Crissy, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueTyke

Nature happens... Bugs happen... Helmets and bugs? Yeah.. That happens too.

Haha, yeah it's a love/hate relationship.

kazam58 · May 12th, 2009, 06:03 PM

I can't say I've ever had anything in my helmet, but one thing that freaked me out early on was when i was turning onto my street and just as I started accelerating I caught a hornet in the perfect air stream that sucked it under the collar of my jacket (believe me, it's not too big, nothing but that hornet could fit in there) and it stung me in the stomach before I ripped the zipper open on my road and shook it out. That was exciting. Luckily I've been stung like 10x before and it doesn't bother me anymore. But damn, that scared me.

aloh · May 12th, 2009, 06:56 PM

wow...that would have me stopped in a HEARTBEAT!!! I got chills just reading that.

Alex · May 12th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Just one more reason that earplugs are a good idea. Fly protection.

komohana · May 12th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazam58

... I caught a hornet in the perfect air stream that sucked it under the collar of my jacket (believe me, it's not too big, nothing but that hornet could fit in there) and it stung me in the stomach before I ripped the zipper open on my road and shook it out.

ooo! ooo! been there done that!! went up to the canyon twisties once on my 'ceptor and was almost down when a hornet got into my jacket, then the flight suit i was wearing, then my shirt and under-shirt. sucker got me 4 times on the stomach before i got off the bike and got that sucker out! happened just before entering an S-turn.

no helmet or ear invaders....yet

knock on wood--->

TrueFaith · May 13th, 2009, 03:14 PM

I had a bee in my helmet ear cup once, but it was an open-faced helmet. Flew away when I wrenched my helmet off at the side of the road. Scary stuff. I've worn a full face ever since and keep the shield closed even at slow speeds.
I've also had a hornet hit me in the neck, fall into my jacket and sting me while I was doing 50mph. Both experiences sucked, but at least they were good learning experiences in maintaining control in panic situations at speed.

kkim · May 13th, 2009, 03:32 PM

I'm soooo glad this post is about an actual fly in your ear. From the title, I was thinking this should have been posted in the OT forum.... not that there's anything wrong with that lifestyle.

HKr1 · May 13th, 2009, 03:40 PM

Had this happen a couple times with a bee, kinda sucks..... But never got stung

Sound Wave · May 13th, 2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurkable

Seriously though, I'm starting to wonder if I bought a helmet one size too big. It's a Shoei RF-1000, large. And the foam padding is definitely not what it was six months ago when I bought it. If I shake my head up and down it will not move, but side to side...it will move a little...

which part feels a little loose? with the rf-1000, the only changable part is the cheek pad. the standard is 35 mm. they have a larger 37 mm one. that might be an option for you rather than buying a whole new helmet. just a thought.

tjkamper · May 15th, 2009, 06:50 AM

I'm glad that has never happened to me.

Elfling · May 17th, 2009, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

In June the "Love bugs" will be out and boy do they make a mess on the front of the bike and your faceshield.

Oh god, love bugs. I hate those little buggers (no pun intended). We've already had a few swarms over here in Tampa.

Lurkable · May 17th, 2009, 10:53 AM

Yesterday on the freeway (it was 90+ degrees) a bug flew right smack into the inside corner of my left eye. Well eventually I got off the freeway and parked it. Stuck a finger in there and came out with one little blog of goo and one little skinny long thing - yes, a leg. I look in the mirror and "oh no.." there's still a big black spot in my eye. So I proceeded to pull the rest of that nasty bug's dead body out of my eye. I couldn't believe the whole thing was just sitting in there but I should've known from the sound it made on impact.

...disgusting.

kkim · May 17th, 2009, 11:22 AM

do you ride with an open face helmet?

TrueFaith · May 17th, 2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurkable

Yesterday on the freeway (it was 90+ degrees) a bug flew right smack into the inside corner of my left eye. Well eventually I got off the freeway and parked it. Stuck a finger in there and came out with one little blog of goo and one little skinny long thing - yes, a leg. I look in the mirror and "oh no.." there's still a big black spot in my eye. So I proceeded to pull the rest of that nasty bug's dead body out of my eye. I couldn't believe the whole thing was just sitting in there but I should've known from the sound it made on impact.

...disgusting.

I don't know what you're using, but you need better eye protection. You're lucky it didn't hit a bit harder. The eye is very soft and the bug could have become lodged in your eye socket behind your eyeball, requiring surgery to remove it. Bugs coming at you on the freeway are a serious problem you need to be prepared for.

kkim · May 17th, 2009, 11:56 AM

yeah, I don't get it... his first post shows a full face helmet.

are you riding with the shield up?? if so, don't do that!

Lurkable · May 17th, 2009, 11:06 PM

Yeah you guys are right, I was lucky this time. I like to ride with the visor up and I tend not to do it as much on the freeway but I really shouldn't do it at all.

Alex · May 17th, 2009, 11:39 PM

Do you wear sunglasses or any other type of eye protection underneath the visor? I do ride with the visor up from time to time, as it can be much more comfortable in some conditions. And bugs and other debris have pegged my sunglasses. I wouldn't feel comfortable with the visor up and nothing in front of my eyes, but I can certainly understand why someone would want to raise the visor every once in awhile.

Lurkable · May 17th, 2009, 11:51 PM

No I don't wear anything under the visor. And I wear contacts, so riding with the visor up on the freeway dries my eyes out pretty quickly anyway which is why I usually have it down at those speeds. But yeah sometimes I can't help it, I just have to feel the wind on my face.

This has got me thinking how vulnerable my eyes are with the visor up though...

By the way, had my new cheek pads delivered yesterday. The fit is much more snug now - made me really happy.

TrueFaith · May 18th, 2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurkable

No I don't wear anything under the visor. And I wear contacts, so riding with the visor up on the freeway dries my eyes out pretty quickly anyway which is why I usually have it down at those speeds. But yeah sometimes I can't help it, I just have to feel the wind on my face.

This has got me thinking how vulnerable my eyes are with the visor up though...

By the way, had my new cheek pads delivered yesterday. The fit is much more snug now - made me really happy.

Find a helmet with better ventilation. I sometimes have to close the air vents on my Bell Apex on the highway because I'm getting too much wind in my face.

00v_Lucky · May 18th, 2009, 01:09 PM

in so cal, i didn't think that I would come across soo many bugs! I think that insects and humans all together just can't resist their attraction to blue bikes

tjkamper · May 18th, 2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

in so cal, i didn't think that I would come across soo many bugs! I think that insects and humans all together just can't resist their attraction to blue bikes

Blue bikes really are the pretiest... Ain't much you can do about that.

00v_Lucky · May 18th, 2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjkamper

Blue bikes really are the pretiest... Ain't much you can do about that.

true that, just take the cool face smilie for an example. it is THAT much cooler because it is blue

kkim · May 18th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

true that, just take the cool face smilie for an example. it is THAT much cooler because it is blue

yeah?

00v_Lucky · May 18th, 2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

yeah?

go away kelly, you have no business here. green ugly ogres always killing threads....

kkim · May 18th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

go away kelly, you have no business here.

in your dreams.

BlueRaven · May 18th, 2009, 02:57 PM

isn't most of the bug splatter green?

May 12th, 2009, 05:29 PM	#1
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Fly in my ear I left home earlier this afternoon on my way to class but I only got a few blocks away from my house when I was forced to make an emergency stop. This fly came at me so hard and pushed through the foam pads to the empty, non-padded area around my right ear but didn't stop there. Of course it had to see how far it could climb into my ear and.....oh my god, the horror! I could not get to the side of the road fast enough. This thing was crawling around in my ear...I suddenly was thinking of Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom. I tore off my gloves and caught my nose (which is still a little sore) as I pulled the helmet off. When I looked down at the ground I found it alive but struggling. I wasn't sure if I should put it out of it's misery, or take a picture or what. I decided to let it die slowly in quiet contemplation and hopefully, repentance. Seriously though, I'm starting to wonder if I bought a helmet one size too big. It's a Shoei RF-1000, large. And the foam padding is definitely not what it was six months ago when I bought it. If I shake my head up and down it will not move, but side to side...it will move a little...

May 12th, 2009, 05:51 PM	#3
ManyCavies ninjette.org sage Name: Crissy Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): . . . . . . . 2000 Suzuki Intruder VS800 "Suzi", 2008 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 "Yoshi" Posts: 507	I think you can replace the foam padding? Check New Enough http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eye...n_pads/?page=2 __________________________________________________ GO GREEN!! GOT MY PINK ON!!

May 12th, 2009, 05:54 PM	#4
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Nature happens... Bugs happen... Helmets and bugs? Yeah.. That happens too. __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

May 12th, 2009, 05:56 PM	#6
DirtyBoy ninjette.org member Name: Leo Location: Phoenix, Az Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 66	Might be time to replace those cheek pads. A couple of weeks ago I opened my visor at a light and left it open. Well a few minutes later a damn bee found its way to my ear and stung me. Didn't hurt as bad as people make it sound. __________________________________________________ 49T sprkt/ EK gold chain/ Galfer pads and SS lines/120 frt 150 rr Pilot Powers/ GSX-R can/Desnorkled/ Raised needles/ Slider spools/ Cowl/ LED rear signals/ Fender eliminator/ Tinted lights / Emu seat

May 12th, 2009, 06:56 PM	#9
aloh lolwut Name: Alex Location: socal Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 196	wow...that would have me stopped in a HEARTBEAT!!! I got chills just reading that. __________________________________________________ 08 Blue Ninja 250R

May 12th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#2
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Wow that is an incredible story. I had a fly enter my helmet one time but it crawled around the inside of the face shield. I was able to lift the shield and let it out. Was very dificult to concentrate on riding with it bigger than life just inches from my face.

May 12th, 2009, 06:03 PM	#8
kazam58 Sarcasm: Yea that'll work Name: Andy Location: Essex Jct, VT Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: 330	I can't say I've ever had anything in my helmet, but one thing that freaked me out early on was when i was turning onto my street and just as I started accelerating I caught a hornet in the perfect air stream that sucked it under the collar of my jacket (believe me, it's not too big, nothing but that hornet could fit in there) and it stung me in the stomach before I ripped the zipper open on my road and shook it out. That was exciting. Luckily I've been stung like 10x before and it doesn't bother me anymore. But damn, that scared me.

May 12th, 2009, 07:06 PM	#10
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Just one more reason that earplugs are a good idea. Fly protection. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 13th, 2009, 03:14 PM	#12
TrueFaith ninjette.org sage Name: Wayne Location: Brookfield, MA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Honda CBR250R Posts: 585	I had a bee in my helmet ear cup once, but it was an open-faced helmet. Flew away when I wrenched my helmet off at the side of the road. Scary stuff. I've worn a full face ever since and keep the shield closed even at slow speeds. I've also had a hornet hit me in the neck, fall into my jacket and sting me while I was doing 50mph. Both experiences sucked, but at least they were good learning experiences in maintaining control in panic situations at speed.

May 13th, 2009, 03:32 PM	#13
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I'm soooo glad this post is about an actual fly in your ear. From the title, I was thinking this should have been posted in the OT forum.... not that there's anything wrong with that lifestyle.

May 13th, 2009, 03:40 PM	#14
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	Had this happen a couple times with a bee, kinda sucks..... But never got stung

May 15th, 2009, 06:50 AM	#16
tjkamper ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Travis Location: Warwick, RI Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I'm glad that has never happened to me. __________________________________________________ Addicted to anything that has an engine and rolls.

May 17th, 2009, 10:53 AM	#18
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Yesterday on the freeway (it was 90+ degrees) a bug flew right smack into the inside corner of my left eye. Well eventually I got off the freeway and parked it. Stuck a finger in there and came out with one little blog of goo and one little skinny long thing - yes, a leg. I look in the mirror and "oh no.." there's still a big black spot in my eye. So I proceeded to pull the rest of that nasty bug's dead body out of my eye. I couldn't believe the whole thing was just sitting in there but I should've known from the sound it made on impact. ...disgusting.

May 17th, 2009, 11:22 AM	#19
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	do you ride with an open face helmet?

May 17th, 2009, 11:56 AM	#21
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	yeah, I don't get it... his first post shows a full face helmet. are you riding with the shield up?? if so, don't do that!

May 17th, 2009, 11:06 PM	#22
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Yeah you guys are right, I was lucky this time. I like to ride with the visor up and I tend not to do it as much on the freeway but I really shouldn't do it at all.

May 17th, 2009, 11:39 PM	#23
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Do you wear sunglasses or any other type of eye protection underneath the visor? I do ride with the visor up from time to time, as it can be much more comfortable in some conditions. And bugs and other debris have pegged my sunglasses. I wouldn't feel comfortable with the visor up and nothing in front of my eyes, but I can certainly understand why someone would want to raise the visor every once in awhile. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 17th, 2009, 11:51 PM	#24
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	No I don't wear anything under the visor. And I wear contacts, so riding with the visor up on the freeway dries my eyes out pretty quickly anyway which is why I usually have it down at those speeds. But yeah sometimes I can't help it, I just have to feel the wind on my face. This has got me thinking how vulnerable my eyes are with the visor up though... By the way, had my new cheek pads delivered yesterday. The fit is much more snug now - made me really happy.

May 18th, 2009, 01:09 PM	#26
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	in so cal, i didn't think that I would come across soo many bugs! I think that insects and humans all together just can't resist their attraction to blue bikes

May 18th, 2009, 02:57 PM	#32
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	isn't most of the bug splatter green?

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