Protective Gear

[Mikeru]

So after procrastinating for over a year, I've finally bit the bullet and will be taking a MVA-sponsored CSM Motorcycle Safety course in April. I've never ridden a motorcycle (or moped) before, so I don't own a bike (excluding a bicycle) or personally know someone who does.

Just to put it out there, I'm looking at getting a used Ninja 250r or 650r as my first bike, and trying to convince me otherwise is most likely going to be futile if it's recommending me towards a cruiser or touring style bike.

Anyways, the course requirements state the following concerning protective gear:

1. Students are encouraged to bring their own riding apparel.
2. Loaner helmets, gloves and eye protection are available as part of the course enrollment.
3. Students are required to wear all the following protective riding gear at all times whenever mounted on the motorcycle:
   • *Motorcycle helmet in good condition that meets DOT standards
   • Eye protection in the form of a helmet face shield, motorcycle goggles, *sunglasses, *eyeglasses (* okay for range use, not recommended for street use)
   • **Full fingered gloves made of leather or other appropriate material that is designed for motorcycle use
   • ***Long sleeve shirt or jacket
   • ****Long sturdy pants
   • *****Functional, sturdy over-the-ankle footwear that provides good traction and ankle support

As follows are the comments and/or questions I have regarding the items above annotated in red, which thought that perhaps some more experience riders might have some valuable wisdom and insight to share:

* Probably won't buy a helmet just for this course, since they say they have loaners, I can probably suck it up and wear one that others have.

** I'll probably buy gloves of my own, since I have relatively smaller hands and most likely any loaners they have are going to fit horribly.

*** I'm wondering if a regular long sleeved polo would suffice, or a leather bomber-style jacket? Should I just specifically buy a riding jacket? I know I'm going to buy one once I get my M-class license, but the whole contingency that I do makes me weary on investing too much into protective gear beforehand.

**** Would non-baggy jeans suffice?

***** Since I have no over the ankle shoes/boots, I'm going to need to buy some specific riding boots. Since I don't really plan on racing with my first bike, I'm looking more towards boots that will provide me with more comfort when off the bike than pure sport riding boots do, and that are stylish, waterproof, and of good quality. Any suggestions?

I guess I want to avoid showing up to the course and 1) Being perceived as not taking protective gear seriously and 2) Looking like a tool by being jacked out in brand new, never worn riding gear when I don't even own or have ever ridden a bike before... but then again I also want to be adequately prepared.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Softballkid]

* If you plan on getting a bike, why not go ahead and buy a helmet that you like, and know is comfortable?

** I wore my normal riding glasses for the course

*** I bought a pair of gloves from Renegades for like, 10 bucks, and they are my normal riding gloves since we need them to get on base. Someone in my class had something pretty damn close to gardening gloves

**** yeah, wearing pants that fall off your ass is probably not the best idea. But a normal pair of blue jeans will be fine.

***** A normal pair of Timberlands, or Sketchers, etc will work, as long as they 'cover' the ankle.


As for your bike of choice, not sure how big you are, but you'll want to get rid of that 250cc the 2nd time you ride it.

 

[Vince]

Buy your own helmet and start breaking it in. Wear or bring a long sleeve shirt to wear under your jacket. If it's hot you can take the jacket off and wear the shirt.

 

[desertrat]

Being that you are taking the course in April I would recommend a rainproof jacket with something like a sweatshirt underneath in case it is chllly. Also a sport bike, according to the instructors, is the hardest to ride the course on. Check Walmart or any store for boots. A lot of guys just wear work boots. I got some tactical swat type boots that are my favorites now.

 

[ShyGirl]

Good for you!

You will have classroom instruction before you head out to the site where the bikes are. Your questions can be answered during the classroom session.

When I took the class, I wore jeans, a long sleeve T shirt, construction boots, leather gloves (that I typically used for yard work) and brought my own helmet.

If you use their shell helmets, you may need safety glasses for eye protection.

Best of Luck to ya! It's a thrilling experience!

 

[aps45819]

What size jacket do you wear. jacket. I've got 5 extra black and silver mesh jackets and I'll make you a deal on one

 

[desertrat]

Being that you are taking the course in April I would recommend a rainproof jacket with something like a sweatshirt underneath in case it is chllly. Also a sport bike, according to the instructors, is the hardest to ride the course on. Check Walmart or any store for boots. A lot of guys just wear work boots. I got some tactical swat type boots that are my favorites now.

I also liked my Setup boots. Nice and comfy, flexible, but not water proof. At least the ones I have. I don't know what you mean by stylish anyway.

 

[Star_Rider]

Be ready for rain (since the class is rain or shine) and cold weather but have a regular long sleeve shirt on in case it gets hot. Motovations or Renegades would be the closest place to pick up some decent biker rain gear. Walmart has some decent rain gear if you don't want to invest in biker specific gear. The biggest thing about getting non-biker gear is burning or melting the pant legs on hot exhaust pipes.

Personally I'd buy my own helmet, I don't like wearing lane bowling shoes either though

 

[itsbob]

The biggest thing about getting non-biker gear is burning or melting the pant legs on hot exhaust pipes.

:

I don't think that's a raingear design problem, but a bike engineering problem...

 

[Star_Rider]

I don't think that's a raingear design problem, but a bike engineering problem...

Couldn't disagree more and since most biker gear I've seen has heat protection on the bottom of the legs it looks like the manufactures don't agree either. But then again I only ride cruisers with forward controls.

One of my favorite quotes is:

If it didn't feel like a monkey fornicating a football I'd ride a sport bike too!!!

 

[dustin]

if you find a buddy with a bike ~600cc and under to try out and get used to clutch work, brakes, etc before you start the class you will find the class much easier.

just for the class i recommend the following barebones cheap stuff (this is not for riding on the street):

your OWN helmet DOT and Snell approved.

long sleeve tshirt
jeans
work style boots from payless/walmart/target
your OWN gloves, leather mechanics gloves also work. dont use garden or work gloves they are too loose.

you can buy all the other stuff later piece by piece.

and for a first sportbike i recommend a USED bike...600cc (inline 4) or 650cc (vtwin) and under... preferably one that already has road rash on it and under 20,000 miles that is not lowered. i dont recommend the 250's because you will quickly outgrow it and in this economy it will be a hard sell. the 600/650 you can stay with for years.

just RESPECT the bike, ride within your limits, wear proper safety gear, and act like you are invisible while on the roads and you should be safe.

 

[desertrat]

if you find a buddy with a bike ~600cc and under to try out and get used to clutch work, brakes, etc before you start the class you will find the class much easier.

just for the class i recommend the following barebones cheap stuff (this is not for riding on the street):

your OWN helmet DOT and Snell approved.

long sleeve tshirt
jeans
work style boots from payless/walmart/target
your OWN gloves, leather mechanics gloves also work. dont use garden or work gloves they are too loose.

you can buy all the other stuff later piece by piece.

and for a first sportbike i recommend a USED bike...600cc (inline 4) or 650cc (vtwin) and under... preferably one that already has road rash on it and under 20,000 miles that is not lowered. i dont recommend the 250's because you will quickly outgrow it and in this economy it will be a hard sell. the 600/650 you can stay with for years.

just RESPECT the bike, ride within your limits, wear proper safety gear, and act like you are invisible while on the roads and you should be safe.

Rain gear! Even if a cheapy, it is April. I'm thinking about one on the 22nd, advanced, one day riding only. Mostly for the fun of it. Plus a refresher is always good.

 

[Mikeru]

Y'all have convinced me to buy my own helmet.

As for your bike of choice, not sure how big you are, but you'll want to get rid of that 250cc the 2nd time you ride it.

I'm relatively short and light, at ~5'7" and ~140 lbs. So anything more than 600/650cc is probably too much for my first bike. But yeah, I think I read somewhere that you can't optimally ride a 250cc on the highway, so I'm probably going to get a used Ninja 650r when the time comes.

and for a first sportbike i recommend a USED bike...600cc (inline 4) or 650cc (vtwin) and under... preferably one that already has road rash on it and under 20,000 miles that is not lowered. i dont recommend the 250's because you will quickly outgrow it and in this economy it will be a hard sell. the 600/650 you can stay with for years.

Aye, I have a feeling I'm going to drop the thing at least once. Plus a used one with "road rash" is going to lower its price.

 

[desertrat]

Y'all have convinced me to buy my own helmet.



I'm relatively short and light, at ~5'7" and ~140 lbs. So anything more than 600/650cc is probably too much for my first bike. But yeah, I think I read somewhere that you can't optimally ride a 250cc on the highway, so I'm probably going to get a used Ninja 650r when the time comes.



Aye, I have a feeling I'm going to drop the thing at least once. Plus a used one with "road rash" is going to lower its price.

Buy one and practice in your drive way or parking lot for a while before taking the course, you'll ace it. Figure 8s, slalom and braking. Try to learn the tightest radius turns you can make until you get real good at it.