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ronery · 05-20-2011, 12:47 PM

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for quite some time and have learned a lot of useful information, so thank you all for that.

I've got my Class M permit and I just signed up for a Motorcycle Safety Course in Pennsylvania.

My question is this: Should I purchase a real riding jacket and a pair of riding gloves before I take the course? I've got a good pair of boots, and I plan on using one of their helmets until I have enough money for my own. (Of course, I will not be riding without a helmet)

My apologies if this question was answered somewhere and I missed it.

trenttheuncatchable · 05-20-2011, 01:28 PM

MSF Beginning Rider Courses usually just require a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, not an actual riding jacket.

A few people take the course and find out they are not cut out for riding. So until you actually complete the course, I would hold off on buying an actual riding jacket.

And you don't need special motorcycle gloves either. But gloves are less expensive than jackets, and some of the riding gloves can actually be worn for daily use.

So my answer is to make do with what you have, and then buy your gear after you finish the course.

You could also call them and ask what they recommend.

ronery · 05-20-2011, 01:40 PM

That's what I figured.

Thanks

Morbo the Destroyer · 05-21-2011, 04:53 PM

Are you planning to buy a bike and ride it, or are you taking the class to see if you like it?

If you know you're getting a bike, why not start right?

Squid Killer · 06-14-2011, 07:11 AM

Ive been teaching the MSF for over 15 years and riders wearing the following have a better experience during class...

Thin, dirtbike gloves
Sunglasses that will slide into an open face or full face helmet
Thin toed boots with very low heels
Short sleeve shirt with unbuttoned long sleeve shirt over that that can be removed during breaks

Sir_Angus · 06-14-2011, 10:46 AM

Ride naked! You're already wearing leather and its self-repairing.

Work gloves, throw-away sunglasses, long-sleeve shirt, jeans & rubber soled boots.

12er · 06-14-2011, 12:26 PM

What Squid Killer said, most requirements are over ankle shoes, long pants, sleeves and gloves. Start saving now so when your ready you can buy but hold out till after your class. Unless your riding with your permit already, then gear up. But its a big expense if its not your thing. Buying gear in itself is a journey as we often go through several expensive jackets / suit combos until we get what we really like. I recommend skipping right to an Aerstich suit and being done with it, but at $800 most cant see buying that first, or ever.

Morbo the Destroyer · 06-14-2011, 01:36 PM

Cover yourself in melted butter and bring a bag of lemons. Start the class by screaming "There's a lobster loose! THERE'S A LOBSTER LOOSE! RUN!!!! Throw lemons at everyone else as you scream.

Sir_Angus · 06-14-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morbo the Destroyer

Cover yourself in melted butter and bring a bag of lemons. Start the class by screaming "There's a lobster loose! THERE'S A LOBSTER LOOSE! RUN!!!! Throw lemons at everyone else as you scream.

I don't care who you are ... Now that's funny!

Squid Killer · 06-15-2011, 06:44 AM

Im not sure how I would react to someone running through class yelling about lobsters and throwing lemons. I might have to hire that person to start all my classes like that. Also, I would try to catch some lemons for my ice tea.

05-20-2011, 12:47 PM	#1
ronery Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2	Gear to buy before Safety Course Hi everyone, I've been lurking for quite some time and have learned a lot of useful information, so thank you all for that. I've got my Class M permit and I just signed up for a Motorcycle Safety Course in Pennsylvania. My question is this: Should I purchase a real riding jacket and a pair of riding gloves before I take the course? I've got a good pair of boots, and I plan on using one of their helmets until I have enough money for my own. (Of course, I will not be riding without a helmet) My apologies if this question was answered somewhere and I missed it.

05-21-2011, 04:53 PM	#4
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	Are you planning to buy a bike and ride it, or are you taking the class to see if you like it? If you know you're getting a bike, why not start right? __________________ Fun Facts to Know and Tell! Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a "wall of separation" between the church and the state (James Madison said it "drew a line," but it is Jefferson's term that sticks with us today). The phrase is commonly thought to mean that the government should not establish, support, or otherwise involve itself in any religion. Its.......A FACT!

06-14-2011, 07:11 AM	#5
Squid Killer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Ive been teaching the MSF for over 15 years and riders wearing the following have a better experience during class... Thin, dirtbike gloves Sunglasses that will slide into an open face or full face helmet Thin toed boots with very low heels Short sleeve shirt with unbuttoned long sleeve shirt over that that can be removed during breaks __________________ Riding Instructor FZ1, R6, Gold Wing, EX250, Seca 2, TTR230, Metropolitan.

06-14-2011, 10:46 AM	#6
Sir_Angus Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 210	Ride naked! You're already wearing leather and its self-repairing. Work gloves, throw-away sunglasses, long-sleeve shirt, jeans & rubber soled boots. __________________ "There is no conspiracy. Nobody is in charge. It's a headless blunder operating under the illusion of a master plan." - from the film Cube

06-14-2011, 01:36 PM	#8
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	Cover yourself in melted butter and bring a bag of lemons. Start the class by screaming "There's a lobster loose! THERE'S A LOBSTER LOOSE! RUN!!!! Throw lemons at everyone else as you scream. __________________ Fun Facts to Know and Tell! Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a "wall of separation" between the church and the state (James Madison said it "drew a line," but it is Jefferson's term that sticks with us today). The phrase is commonly thought to mean that the government should not establish, support, or otherwise involve itself in any religion. Its.......A FACT!

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05-20-2011, 01:28 PM	#2
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 834	MSF Beginning Rider Courses usually just require a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, not an actual riding jacket. A few people take the course and find out they are not cut out for riding. So until you actually complete the course, I would hold off on buying an actual riding jacket. And you don't need special motorcycle gloves either. But gloves are less expensive than jackets, and some of the riding gloves can actually be worn for daily use. So my answer is to make do with what you have, and then buy your gear after you finish the course. You could also call them and ask what they recommend.

05-20-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
ronery Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2	That's what I figured. Thanks

06-14-2011, 12:26 PM	#7
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	What Squid Killer said, most requirements are over ankle shoes, long pants, sleeves and gloves. Start saving now so when your ready you can buy but hold out till after your class. Unless your riding with your permit already, then gear up. But its a big expense if its not your thing. Buying gear in itself is a journey as we often go through several expensive jackets / suit combos until we get what we really like. I recommend skipping right to an Aerstich suit and being done with it, but at $800 most cant see buying that first, or ever.

06-15-2011, 06:44 AM	#10
Squid Killer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Im not sure how I would react to someone running through class yelling about lobsters and throwing lemons. I might have to hire that person to start all my classes like that. Also, I would try to catch some lemons for my ice tea. __________________ Riding Instructor FZ1, R6, Gold Wing, EX250, Seca 2, TTR230, Metropolitan.