I can't speak for those people but I wear earplugs when I ride long distance. It has nothing to do with the sound of the bike (which mine is not loud) but cutting back on the sound of the wind rushing past your ears. After a day of riding my ears will ring from the sound of the wind rushing by. Plus you can actually hear better because you are blocking that noise.I live near a intersection, and there are times when a motorcycle goes by that I have to cover my ears. I don't understand why law enforcement doesn't stop this. I want to bend their exhaust pipes in front of them so they have to hear it. I have had them stop in my driveway sometimes to take a break and riders behind take out earplugs. What is the point?