I already had my full gear when I took my class in May and I showed up each day with my boots, gloves, jacket, helmet, and riding pants. If you have your own, you might as well use that instead of the skeevy shared stuff they'll lend you. Call me weird, but I'm just not a fan of sharing other people's sweat; plus the stuff they have never fits correctly.

 

The MSF course will have you rolling about in a parking lot on 250cc bikes in 2nd gear. You'll be lucky to hit 30mph.

That having been said, google "low speed motorcycle accident road rash" and take a gander at the images department with the safety off, then decide whether or not you want to skimp on gear for your MSF.

Good luck with your class, and remember - feet on the pegs and throttle out of your turns.

 

I took all my gear. You'll be wearing all your gear when you're out on your own, so might as well start getting use to the feel. Yes, take your gloves.

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Thanks for your responses. I was leaning more towards wearing my full gear but glad to know I have some support!

 

I took the course this past August. Wore full gear both days of riding in 95+ weather, funny thing is I was literally the only one in full gear, everyone else had long sleeve t-shirts, gardening gloves, etc. One woman, I shit you not, pulled out a pair of latex gloves! Apparently she worked as a nurse and assumed they would suffice. After everyone had a good laugh at her expense the female instructor we had was nice enough to lend her the gloves she was using.

As was stated, even though you will more than likely not be going any faster than 20 mph or so it is in your best interest to wear full gear just for the fact that you need to get into the habit anyhow, it can only be beneficial.

Good luck and enjoy it, don't let your nerves get the better of you. Had 3 people asked to leave during my course because they either let their nerves get to them or was just a safety risk because they couldn't control the bike. I'm sure you'll do fine though.

 

The class I took just required long sleeve shirt, pants, boots, and gloves. It was 100 degrees out there so I wore a t shirt. Yeah like they said. You'll be lucky to hit 30mph


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When I took my MSF class, they had similar requirements: Long sleeve shirt, good pants (jeans), over the ankle boots, gloves and a helmet. While I didn't have a full kit then, I wore my jacket, good boots, jeans, gloves and my own helmet anyways. I second the whole not liking "sharing a helmet" with who-knows who.

If you have the gear, I'd wear it. you never know what weather you will encounter on the course.

 

You guys are lucky they LET you choose your gear, here in Manitoba Canada they make you wear everything with the exception that Jeans are a suitable substitute for riding pants. I wore my full face helmet, kevlar mesh jacket, full fingered gloves, and my waterproof riding boots.

To the Original Poster, wear all your gear, get into the good habit of wearing it on the streets and maneuvering a bike with it all on, trust us, you'll appreciate it more IF you happen to go down.

As for the lot speeds, they regulated us to 25KM/Hr MAX.... during our "high speed" maneuvering they had to remind me to keep it at 25 though they were impressed that I was counter steering like it was second nature.

Good on you for taking the course, really listen and ask lots of questions, the course really helped many people in my class who have never ridden before, including myself.

 

that's exactly what I wore to the class.. you'll feel a little awkward at first, but people will tell you they like your gear, and there will be others with good gear too. there were even a few there wearing cheek chillers.. you bought it why not wear it and show it off? you won't regret it

 

You will probably see the entire gambit of gear on riders at the course from "barely meets the requirements" to "D*mn, he spent a lot"! I was in the middle as many had less gear, but there were a couple with full gear. One guy was there because he bought a brand new BMW and BMW covered the course cost and included a darn nice full riding suit with the bike purchase...

 

I took my class in the middle of July. I just wore jeans, a button up long sleeve shirt then the required helmet...gloves...boots.

 

Wear what they recommend. I wouldn't recommend wearing full gear for the MSF, especially if it's hot and it's your first time. Why? Your concentration level will diminish if you are not use to wearing your gear, it will possibly be uncomfortable and so, you may be focused on that, instead of having your full concentration on riding and learning. You really don't want to test something new (such as your gear) with another new thing (the MSF class). Now, is not the time to test it.

When I took the class, it was extremely hot and I brought my own helmet and wore what they recommended, even when I had my full gear already. I am very glad I went with what they recommended. My full face helmet was giving me trouble because you don't move fast enough to take advantage of the vents, so I did get a bit of heat exhaustion and then got a headache and could not concentrate as much toward the second day of class.

 

Thanks everyone. I have been wearing my gear randomly to break it in so comfort wise it's not an issue. I think I'll be taking your advice and wearing my gear for the class. I'll let you know how it goes!

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Also, don't feel too nervous about "being the only one" chances are 90% of the people in your class haven't been on a bike either and are there for the same reason you are.

You aren't the only one

Have fun and enjoy riding! Good luck to you, but I'm sure you'll do fine! Remember if your course uses CBR125s they require higher revs to keep going (a girl in my class failed because the bike stalled on her twice, she didn't rev it and slowly release the clutch to friction point). Don't let that bother you though

 

Thanks man. I looked up the bikes they use and its mostly nighthawk 250s and they have a couple cbr250s as well!

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We were on 125s first (except me, my bike was having carb issues so they put me on a FI 250 Suzuki right off the bat). Then after a few hours everyone moved up to 250s.

Your going to really enjoy it. Just pay attention and do what they say. You'll be fine. Also, don't stress about the written exam, if you listen in class or have any common sense you'll do just fine.

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I took my class at a Harley dealership (they have their own thing... Rider's Edge, it's taught by MSF instructors and is the same thing, just through H-D) and they had us bring our gear in on the second day (of a four day course). They told me, with the temps, not to wear my gear. They also told those of us with modular helmets to leave them up the whole time. I'm glad I listened to them and didn't wear all my gear because I'm pretty certain I would have passed out from the heat.

I wore my helmet, my gloves, a button up shirt over a tshirt (which they suggested and told us to leave unbuttoned), jeans and boots. In the 95+ degree heat, it was reasonably comfortable. I can't imagine how bad it would have been if I had worn my gear.

 

We had Suzuki TU250s for our MSF course. Pretty good bikes to learn basic things with a motorcycle (shifting, braking, countersteering, etc.). I did not have any gear at the time of the course. I had a helmet issued to me, and I had to bring my own gloves, boots, and pants. I wore a Columbia Omni-Freeze long-sleeved shirt, and I will say that on a hot day, it seriously does the job of wicking sweat AND cooling you (of which the temperature was getting near 100). I would say that if the weather isn't hot, go with the full gear. Hope you have a lot of fun out there!

 

We had Suzuki TU250s for our MSF course.

We had very rough looking Honda Rebel 250s and a few Suzuki TU250s. Since I was one of the shorter people in the class, I was stuck with one of the crappy Rebels. But hey, they were pre-dinged and scuffed all to hell so there was no worries of damaging a perfect bike.

 

I took the MSF back in March. It was freezing cold and snowing/sleeping both riding days. I wore my full face helmet, armored jacket, Joe rocket gloves, regular pants and a pair of steel toe work boots.

 

Go full gear (including armor or at least leather, not the minimum MSF allows). I wiped out on the 3rd gear corner. When I departed the bike, my leg snagged on the foot peg and ripped through my jeans, my longjohns (it was about 40 degrees F out when I took the MSF), and my socks and put a 6" gash in my leg. I taped it up and was able to finish the class, but it was very painful and I've got a nice scar there.