Buy gear before MSF class?

teejnut · 07-14-2008, 12:25 AM

Just curious if people think its a bad idea to buy gear before taking the MSF class? I'm figuring its a good idea just to be in the gear and get use to wearing it since I'll need to get it anyways.

statikuz · 07-14-2008, 12:32 AM

Seems fine to me, if you already have a bike or are dead set on getting one, if you're just taking the MSF to find out whether or not you're going to like riding, probably not the best idea. When I took my MSF there was a guy who had obviously just bought a pretty nice Shoei for the class and you could tell it didn't fit his head worth a damn so don't just jump on it.

All they required for my class was long pants and sleeves, any kind of closed-finger gloves, and some over-the-ankle boots. 11/12 people brought their own helmets but they did have some available. So don't feel that you need to buy gear as a prerequisite.

fadlan12 · 07-14-2008, 12:33 AM

I did, of course it is more to do with reading up and impatiently waiting to take the course for a month.

JDiz5 · 07-14-2008, 01:02 AM

I only bought gloves for my MSF. I already had some over the ankle Tims that I wore there, some jeans and a hoodie. They provided me with a helmet.

I'm inclined to say get only what you need for the MSF if you don't have a bike yet. I like to match my gear to my bike...I'd rather not buy a red helmet or something and end up getting a green bike and ride around like a damn christmas tree or something.

kbroderick · 07-14-2008, 09:45 AM

I'd say that if you're set on getting a bike, go helmet shopping prior. I borrow a helmet and it sucked...not because the helmet was horrible, but because it wasn't the same shape as my skull. I bought my helmet after taking the class but before getting a bike (I wanted to have one in case I ended up test-riding any bikes while shopping), so I just bought a silver helmet (it's hard to clash with silver).

teejnut · 07-14-2008, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the tips! Yeah I'm pretty set on getting one and I plan to go with black gear, personal preference and it matches with everything.

theGross1 · 07-14-2008, 03:04 PM

I was the only one wearing gear at mine. Only long sleeves are required.

jim schmidt · 07-14-2008, 06:49 PM

I generally recommend that people don't. For one thing, we spend quite a lot of time explaining how to choose it and also we have people every week that come in stoked and quickly figure out its not for them.

statikuz · 07-14-2008, 08:11 PM

You might want to reconsider all-black gear, it looks cool to an extent but you're doing zip for your visibility, and you'll also ROAST.

derango1 · 07-17-2008, 01:36 PM

I was also the only one in my class wearing gear. I bought a mesh jacket, my own full face helmet, and full gauntlet gloves.

Let me tell you, the first day when you're really just sitting on the motorcyle in the sun learning the clutch point, wearing even my mesh was awful.....

That said, I don't regret it. Others in the class looked at me like I was crazy. I don't know how many times I had to explain that I was going to ride in this gear and wanted to get the feel for it. The instructor understood, and that's all that mattered.

apexaddict6 · 07-17-2008, 02:21 PM

yes and no. I would get a helmet and gloves, but i would pass on everything else. Wear a cool long sleeve t (either a loose cotton one or some polyester moisture wicking one), b/c if it's anything like the one that i took, you're out in the parking lot for a while...

teejnut · 07-17-2008, 02:33 PM

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Which one did you take apexaddict6? I plan to take this one And the weather here in LA has been nice and toasty lately.

apexaddict6 · 07-18-2008, 03:40 PM

took the one off of Woodman and the 101 - but that was a solid 6 years ago, haha. Glad i took it before i turned 21 though.

Be glad you're in santa monica and not further inland. I was out in SM yesterday, and it is awesome being that close to the water. so much cooler.