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Gear For MSF Course

13K views 15 replies 11 participants last post by  I-Jo  
#1 ·
Hey all,

I'm getting ready for my first ever riding season this summer. I've signed up for a local MSF course in late May.

The question is: For those of you who have taken an MSF course prior to any riding experience, did you buy and wear your new gear to the class? Did you find it beneficial? Was it tough to learn the riding while trying to break-in new gear?

I am leaning towards getting my gear beforehand because I figure if I'm going to learn to ride, I may as well get used to my gear too.
 
#2 ·
I would definitely recommend getting your gear prior to the MSF. Seems to be what most people do.

It may be different where you are, but here in FL, these are the requirements for the class: Long Pants (No Sweatpants), Long Sleeve Shirt or Jacket, Sturdy Over The Ankle Footwear (Shoes or Boots), Eye Protection, Full Finger Gloves, rainsuit (Optional). (Notice helmet is not required in FL)

Just a good idea to get in the habit of riding with your gear. Getting used to bit of extra weight turning your head with a helmet, getting used to the feel of the controls with gloves, etc. I think most people generally show up to the MSF with helmet, jacket, and gloves. Pants and riding boots are never a bad idea, of course. But I wouldn't say critical to have at the course.

I'm so used to riding with my gloves now, trying to ride the bike without them feels alien.
 
#3 ·
When I took the course last July in Connecticut they required you have gloves covering the whole hand, long sleeve shirt or jacket, over the ankle boots and long pants. A helmet was "optional" because if you didn't bring one they provided one for you and the eye protection...(didn't need eye protection if you had a faceshield...the helmets they provided did not have face shields).

I wore my own full face helmet, a long sleeve shirt, the gloves I purchased, jeans and the riding boots I bought. Different rules for different places but you can see the trends. Just check with your local place and I'm sure they will tell you the minimum requirements. Good luck and have fun...I know I did!
 
#4 ·
I'm actually halfway through my MSF course right now. I finish this weekend. Only three of us had actual riding gear... which happened to be the only three that have bikes. I don't know how yours is, but we need a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and over the ankle boots. The long sleeves can be a long sleeve t-shirt, the pants can be sweat pants. One girl there actually wore those thin stretchy gloves you can get from Walmart for $0.49. Yours may be different, but as long as skin wasn't showing, they were happy.

I brought my full face helmet so that I could use the face shield as eye protection. Luckily, the instructors only required that I pull the shield down halfway. Otherwise, I would have been hot and stuffy in there doing mostly slow stuff and sitting. If you're going to bring a full face helmet, I would suggest bringing glasses as well just in case they make you close it all the way.
 
#6 ·
OH has most of the same rules for gear. I'm definitely planning on getting my helmet before the class and currently have stuff that would be considered 'passable' for the other requirements.

I plan on getting full gear before I start to ride anyway, so it seems like it shouldn't be too much to get it all and wear it to the class.
 
#7 ·
Here in VA you had to wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants, and over the ankle boots. They provided helmets and gloves if needed.

Now I have all my gear, so I took my helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots. I opted for jeans over my riding pants just cause it would've been too hot, as you sit a lot and rarely get over 10-15 mph. If it had been warmer I would've ditched the jacket as well and just went with a sweater or sweatshirt.

Wearing your own gear is good, but I recommend a second layer, or alternate clothes in the car, in case you find yourself overheating. You don't get much wind coolage at the MSF.
 
#8 ·
They provided helmets and gloves if needed.
That's cool that they do that. When I took mine in 2005 in Louisiana, you had to have your own helmet and gloves. When Michelle did hers FL in 2007, not sure if they had any gear to provide. Looked like everyone in her class brought their own.
 
#11 ·
No helmet laws in AZ and they actually told us they used to provide any DOT helmet and now they weren't allowed to give us half helmets, 3/4 or FF was available to everyone.

I didn't bring my own gear the first day because I didn't want to show up in a leather suit and look like an idiot. On day 2 I brought my own boots gloves and helmet.

I also recommend getting gear prior; I had a bike in my garage already and it was pretty nice driving home from the MSF class, changing my pants and going riding, legally and safely.
 
#12 ·
I would have never bought good gear prior to the MSF... what happens if you hate it? then what LOL

that's one reason why you take the MSF.... do help decide if you really WANT to ride!

and if you don't- then you have gear you have to get rid of... I'd buy gear after.
 
#13 ·
DING DING DING! I'm with ya 100% Jo.

I had a friend who rode. She gave me some gloves to use. And i just used one of the helmets that was at the course. I wore jeans and boots with a hooded sweatshirt.

Everything you do is at a fairly slow speed. If i were to have fallen at the course, it would have been no different from when i used to fall as a kid when i was skateboarding down a hill or riding my bike in mesh shorts and a t shirt.

That's the way i viewed it. Now that i'm on the road, i wont ride without a minimum of gloves, helmet, leather jacket, jeans, boots. You can't pay me enough to ride otherwise. It's all about the amount of risk YOU are willing to take.

But i wouldn't buy gear beforehand bc of the reason that Jo stated above. What if you don't like it? Then you spent all this money on gear and you have to sell it now.

Gear can get expensive. Use the stuff at the MSF course if they provide it. If you pass the course and enjoy it, then go buy all the gear you want! The more you buy, the better!
 
#14 ·
I do have a specific MSF recommendation - take a pair of sunglasses. At least here in San Diego where I've taken several MSF ERC courses (never took BRC), they require that you flip your visor down before each exercise if you don't have glasses on (the eye protection thing). This can be a real PITA, especially on hot days - many riders don't put their visors down at the low speeds involved in MSF, and it makes it harder to hear the instructors. Putting a pair of shades on is a lot more convenient.

KeS
 
#15 ·
I guess it depends on what kind of person you are, everyone's different. I bought my bike before I bought my gear and never put it in first with the motor running until I got my license.

I bought my gear before taking the MSF.

Took the MSF before ever riding any kind of motorcycle/dirt bike/ scooter

But I still knew 100% I was going to commit to riding at least a full year.

If you are capricious then I certainly agree that waiting, or borrowing some stuff is ideal.

I think the best thing you can take away from this thread is it's different everywhere, call ahead and see what your MSF provides and requires.
 
#16 ·
I think if you are so convinced that you buy the bike first- then yeah- gear would be good... but some of us don't jump head first into it- I knew I wanted to ride- but I accepted the fact that I might hate it somehow- and I wasn't in a position financially to purchase a bike and gear first. It was illogical to me to so fully commit to something to expensive without trying it first.

I tend to be the dabble first- to get a taste.... then jump head first into the shallow end and hope I don't break my neck!!!

but some people are different.. .again- its a risk thing LOL some people are willing to accept it- some of us- not so much.