Gears for MSF RiderCourse: Alternatives or The Real Deal?

Question

I'm going to be taking MSF Basic RiderCourse in Octorber.

This is going to be my first time riding a motorcycle and I'm very excited about it (I already got my permit).

MSF Basic RiderCourse requires the participants to bring leather gloves and leather shoes covering entire ankles (among other stuff like, long-sleeved top and pants).

My question is: should I buy a nice pair of motorcycle gloves and boots, or non-motorcycle gloves and shoes that function the same?

The reason to this question is that I called MSF the other day and they said buying cheap leather gloves from Home Depot will be fine for this course.

I do not own a motorcycle and probably will not for the next year or so (I don't even know if I'll ever get one). But should I buy quality gears for the future, or hold off until I get my bike and just use alternative stuff for the course? Is using alternative stuff going to be cheaper than getting the real stuff...? Is it worth doing that financially, or do you recommend getting the motorcycle quality gears from the get-go? Like I said, I would like to buy a bike one day but not sure when that'll be. (I am interested in riding a sport bike in the future, if that would help estimate the cost of gears.)

If I were to wear non-motorcycle boots, will leather basketball shoes that cover the ankles be fine for the course?

I appreciate your input. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi,

I took the same course just 2 weeks ago.

I used my regular lather gloves and jacket and also my pair of lather hiking shoes. Denim pants are good for the course also.

I also do not have a bike yet and as you I'm thinking to get a sports bike.

This is also a reason not to by gear right now, because I want it to be in the same colours as the bike.

Good luck in the course and on the test.