So I think it's time to be educated in the gross or finer points of riding on two wheels. It's only $100 for 2.5 days of instruction. Class is limited to 12 riders, bikes provided, and it's available to be taken on my off weekend (holy E36 M3!). But they say I need safety gear. I know I need a new lid, my full face is a M2005. But they say I need gloves and jacket. Wtf. And holy E36 M3 at even close out prices....
So what do I need?
Leather work gloves and a denim jacket is fine.
Do they not specify?
The helmet usually just needs a DOT sticker so you might not need one for the class - and most will say work boots, leather gloves and a "sturdy" jacket.
If you shop the flea market at ADV you can find real gear for somewhat decent prices. Also, what size are you? I have a Red/Black First Gear Kilimanjaro, size XL in great shape with zip in liner and soft armor I'd ship your way for $100.
Yea, your helmet needs to be DOT, of any age.
Gloves, get a cheap pair of leather work gloves.
Jacket, denim or whatever is almost always just fine.
Over the ankle boots. Not hiking boots.
Mine only required long sleeves and not a jacket.
They will likely have helmets available for you to borrow if you don't have your own.
http://www.msf-usa.org/BRC.aspx
What to Bring
Food/beverages for breaks and lunch
Your own riding gear if you prefer
Pen/pencil for classroom sessions
What you MUST Wear:
Long-sleeve shirt or jacket
Long pants (heavy denim or riding pants recommended)
Over-the-ankle boots (sturdy, not canvas)
Eye protection (full-face helmet with visor provided or bring your own)
Full-finger gloves (provided or bring your own)
Full-face or ¾-face helmet (full-face provided or bring your own)
One mistake I made was wearing steel-toe boots. Don't do that, or you'll have no real idea what you're doing with the shifter.
motorcyclegear.com (formerly newenough.com), lots of decent gear at good prices.
I enjoyed the MSF course and recommend it do all new riders.
Craigslist. There are cheap gloves if you look long enough.
Most bike shops will have some cheapo gloves for something like $20-$30, at that price point I wouldn't shop used. They don't last though.
MattGent wrote: motorcyclegear.com (formerly newenough.com), lots of decent gear at good prices. I enjoyed the MSF course and recommend it do all new riders.
MotorcycleGear.com also has a used section (or used to, I haven't looked for a while).
Any of you fine folks ever done a Total Control Riding Clinic?
I read the book along time ago and it really helped me with speed in corners even after having been a rider for years and years. I wonder if it's worth the money to pay for the class ($325) vs just reading the book and practicing yourself at the mall parking lot ($11).
I've been looking into classes. When I first started riding, I didn't know how to correct small berkeleying mistakes and crashed as a result. Now as I'm more of a relaxed rider, I feel I want to learn how to ride better. A class might be the way to go. Except, I need to pay bills and classes are on hold for now.
You can find new gloves for cheap. Jackets on Craigslist are a dime a dozen.
In reply to escort1991:
Well, it sounds like $11.99 is more your speed then ;) This is the book I was talking about that the classes are based on. Very similar principles to Keith Code but more straightforward in explanation and exercises to practice with IMO. It happens to be fresh in my mind because my 15 year old just asked if he could learn to ride and there is a class in Pookipsie, NY (near here) I was thinking about signing him up for after the MSF, which is free in PA for residents.
http://www.amazon.com/Total-Control-Performance-Street-Techniques/dp/0760343446/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1431569070&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=total+control+of+the+motorcycle
In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:
I feel I have a book similar, but can't find it. Might have to order this one.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Any of you fine folks ever done a Total Control Riding Clinic?
There are many different courses, and probably all are worthwhile, in different ways. From the simple advanced MSF course, to Total Control, Ride Like a Pro, ADV type schools, track classes, etc.
I've read many a book, practiced many things myself, and have improved. I am a pretty good rider, even if I say so myself.
That said, a good coach is tremendously valuable. Someone who's watching me and seeing the things I do that I'm not aware of. As well watching others to see what they do well, and not so well.
If ones budget allows it, take classes beyond the basic MSF.
Signed up.....
One of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us
Just got my order of gear, helmet, mesh jacket, and gloves, via UPS. I love a good closeout sale. Too bad I have to fight the battle of going to the school vs helping one of wives friends move out of her townhouse that weekend. 
In reply to Ranger50:
I am to the point where I'd refuse to help anyone move at this point.....I'm just going to start giving out the number for two men & a truck.
In reply to yamaha:
I don't mind to help her move, she has cancer and time is short. I just don't like how I get ummmm "volunteered" on my off weekends. I just know if I cancel, every other class will be on the weekends I have to work (the glorious life of an emergency dept RN) until the riding season is over.
Aside from the positive feedback of an instructor, the MC endorsement and the insurance break you can learn everything in that course in a parking lot with a good book. So, sign up for the class again but put your gear on and go practice somewhere away from traffic for a couple hours. It is really not as hard as people make it out to be. Especially if you have been a mountain biker or BMX guy in the past. The balance of slow speed maneuvering and so on is the same - just with more weight to manage. You should absolutely take the class - but there is no reason not to get started with figuring it all out. Just do read some stuff carefully first so you don't practice developing bad habits before you learn good ones.
My favorite three books (about $35 total if you have a Kindle) are listed below:
For how to get around and not to die in common situations read:
- "Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well", David L. Hough
Good higher speed cornering skills isn't something they get into at MSF (or, well, didn't in the 90s). For that, read:
- Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques, 2nd Ed., Lee Parks
- A Twist of the Wrist II, Keith Code
Parks and Code say the same things... Parks is more street oriented and has good exercises for practicing things in a mall parking lot so start there. Code will then explain all the technical details of why it works the way it does.
Enjoy.
yamaha wrote: One of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us
+1
I know people have mentioned gloves here. I did my MSF with garding gloves that were way to heavy and way to restricting. I learned how to ride a bike but once I got real gloves, and they were like 15$ closeout, it was a revelation. I would have learned much more with better gloves in the course. If you are going to spend the time learning how to ride its worth it to splurge a little here IMO.
In reply to wearymicrobe:
I bought the on sale speed & strength ones when I started out again......I will never quit wearing Icons now though. This will be season 2 on white gloves, but oh my are they comfy and flow air.
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