My Beginner Motorcycle Protective Gear.

I am registered for Total Control Training’s Basic Rider Course, and I talked about my Required Items in my last post, Motorcycle Safety Class Information. This motorcycle safety class isn’t just obviously crucial for my safety as a rider but also counts as my rider test for turning my motorcycle learner’s permit into a full Pennsylvania Motorcycle License. So, for my class, I put together my beginner motorcycle protective gear from regular clothing I had and a few motorcycle-specific items I picked up.

As a beginner motorcycle rider, the course emphasizes the use of motorcycle protective riding gear. Without it, I cannot take the class.

So what I learned and did to prepare for the safety course was on the cheap. Being a frugal rider without even a motorcycle, I set up my basic beginner motorcycle protective gear.

This riding gear isn’t for real riding on the roads but meets the class requirements to ride on a closed driving course. You’ll figure this out as you read what protective gear they require.

Required Motorcycle Protective Gear for the Class.

• Full-coverage DOT-compliant helmet(My First Helmet: Fuel Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet Review.)
• Eye protection(My motorcycle helmet has a visor)
• Long sleeve shirt or jacket
• Long, durable pants Sturdy over the ankle boots or shoes with a low heel
• Full-fingered street-motorcycle-specific gloves(which I picked up at a Cycle Gear Store Near Me.

Motorcycle Protective Gear I Have.

Remember, my motorcycle safety class is in December, and it’s been cold, so this should be easy to pick out clothing I already have.

• Long sleeved shirt and jacket(Later I Bought A: Alpha Cycle Gear Motorcycle Jacket ).
• Thick denim jeans.
• over the ankle work boots.

Motorcycle Protective Gear I Do Not Have.

• A DOT-Compliant Helmet(again picked up a motorcycle helmet from Walmart)
• Motorcycle specific full finger gloves( Where To Buy Motorcycle Gloves ).

My Beginner Motorcycle Protective Gear I Bought And Where.

A little background to explain my choices in gear. I have only experience riding mountain bikes, and typically, the gloves and helmet I wear are highly rated, without being highly-priced. I do my research based on getting the most protection for the riding style and finances. I put good money into my mountain bike but put extra money into getting good protective equipment.

I did my research. Now comes Motorcycle protective gear.

As a beginner and truthfully have never driven a motorcycle, I am at a loss.

I did the typical web searches and found article after article of “Beginner Motorcycle Protective Gear,” and how I had to spend lots of money on both protection and style. I was overwhelmed.

My Motorcycle Safety Class Conclusion:

I am taking an introductory rider course that is only going ‘low’ speeds. The course provider’s experts want only a full coverage DOT-compliant helmet and full-fingered street motorcycle gloves. They never say these items would be the last gear you will ever buy and never buy more protective equipment. So I picked low-priced, protective gear. I would not be upset if I damaged or scratched it during class.  

My Riding Gear Solutions:

Before you read on, understand I have no motorcycle experience and was buying motorcycle gear based on my understanding of the motorcycle safety class requirements.

If you have suggestions for beginner rider gear, please leave a comment.

The Motorcycle Helmet

A Walmart special, A FUEL-brand full-coverage DOT-compliant helmet. Now, if you read some of its reviews, it’s “OK”. As a spare helmet, as a lower-priced beginner helmet. Many reviewers say it’s a great place to start, but a helmet you will not use forever.  

Fuel Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet Review.

Heads up, I’m going to talk about my favorite (both brick and mortar and online) motorcycle store, Cycle Gear.

The Motorcycle Riding Gloves

I count this a blessing; I have a Cycle Gear store within driving distance( How and Where To Buy Motorcycle Gloves ). The prices are great, and the staff is all riders and no pressure sales. I went into Cycle Gear and said I wanted basic gloves just for class. I was directed towards a section and targeted the clearance section.

I found Street and Steel leather gloves at a discount. Less than $20! Full-fingered and soft. I mean soft as in the fingers flex and bend with minimal interference. These were perfect. There is no armor(rigid plastic, Kevlar, or metal) but good stitching to hold together on a fall.

Also, the motorcycle glove’s leather appears thick enough to protect my skin on a fall. I like really these gloves and I might continue using past the basic motorcycle rider class. We’ll see.

Motorcycle Class Protective Gear Costs:

I got set up with basic/beginner motorcycle protective gear for, wait for it, < $100. The helmet was about $75, and the gloves about $20 on clearance. Cheap insurance for protecting the most likely injured areas of the body from a low-speed fall/crash. Hands and head.

I am looking forward to riding motorcycles safely, but want to get licensed before getting all my real motorcycle riding gear first.

I should have picked up additional equipment like a motorcycle jacket. Wear A Motorcycle Jacket All The Time? Yes, ATGATT. With hind sight I saw how a motorcycle jacket functioned even at slow speeds (Motorcycle Safety Course Accident).

So if want to be familiar with Cycle Gear’s great inventory ( Cycle Gear Store Near Me ), and it changes frequently with sales, check out one of their stores or visit: www.CycleGear.com

I am looking forward to riding motorcycles safely, but want to get all my real motorcycle riding gear first.

Remember ATGATT!

Ride Safe, Ride Fun!

Tom