Getting ready for your MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Basic Rider Course is an exciting step toward your life on two wheels. At Bohn Body Armor, we have spent more than 25 years helping riders feel safe and comfortable from their very first day on the range to their thousandth mile on the highway. You want to show up to your class ready to learn without worrying if your clothes meet the rules or if you will be too hot in a parking lot all day.
Showing up with the wrong gear can mean being sent home before you even twist the throttle, which is a frustrating way to lose your tuition and your weekend. When you choose the right gear, you get the relief of knowing you are protected while you focus on learning how to balance, shift, and stop.
Start your MSF course with the right gear–stay comfortable, protected, and focused on learning to ride safely.
Choosing smart gear now also means you won't have to buy everything twice once you get your license.
Recommended Gear for Your First Ride
Building your first set of riding gear can feel overwhelming when you walk into a motorcycle shop and see hundreds of options. We want to help you cut through the confusion by pointing you toward brands and products that have earned strong reputations in the riding community.
Most new riders start by looking for a "motorcycle jacket," but a heavy leather coat can be too much for a slow-speed class in the sun. We often suggest starting with an AirTex armored shirt paired with original armored pants, which satisfies the "long sleeve" requirement while keeping you much cooler than a traditional jacket. It fits like a snug base layer and uses SAS-TEC armor to protect your elbows, shoulders, and back.
For hot and humid climates like Florida and Texas, the Cool-Air shirt and pants are perfect.
These Bohn armored base layers give you the flexibility to wear them under almost anything, which means you can start with affordable outer layers and upgrade later without replacing your protection.
"We have hundreds of MSF instructors all over the country that wear our gear when they are teaching. They will often tell me that if they were allowed to promote any brand, they would ours as it is truly the first gear that any new rider should buy as it provides the most versatility of any brand on the market and it is incredibly affordable." - Kristen Staggs, CEO and Owner of Bohn Body Armor
Cool-Air Mesh Fabric
Most new riders start by looking for a "motorcycle jacket," but a heavy leather coat can be too much for a slow-speed class in the sun. We often suggest starting with an armored shirt like our Cool-Air mesh top, which satisfies the "long sleeve" requirement while keeping you much cooler than a traditional jacket. It fits like a snug base layer and uses SAS-TEC armor to protect your elbows, shoulders, and back.
Bohn Adventure Armored Pants
For your legs, you can skip the bulky overpants and wear a pair of armored pants under sturdy jeans, which provides "invisible protection" with CE-Level 2 coverage for your knees, hips, and shins. This setup moves with you naturally, so you won't feel stiff or restricted while trying to find the friction zone on the clutch. Wearing flexible armor helps you maintain confidence while learning basic maneuvers.
Ride safely and comfortably: armored shirts and pants keep key points protected while letting new riders move freely.
Wearing the right gear ensures you stay comfortable and safe throughout your MSF class. Protective clothing designed for riders lets you focus on learning instead of worrying about discomfort or injuries.
Need-to-Knows About Gear for the MSF Course
A long-sleeve t-shirt is the "minimum," but it's not enough
The MSF rules say a long-sleeve shirt is okay to ride on the range, but cotton provides zero protection if you tip over. Even at 5 miles per hour, hitting the pavement with just a thin shirt can cause painful scrapes that end your weekend early.
Borrowing a helmet is a gamble you usually lose
Most schools have "loaner helmets," but they are often old, smelly, and might not fit your head shape correctly. A helmet that is too loose can shift and block your vision during a skills test, making it much harder to pass.
Heavy work boots are often worse than hiking boots
While you need over-the-ankle protection, massive steel-toe work boots can make it hard to feel the shift lever or the rear brake pedal. A slim, sturdy hiking boot or a dedicated motorcycle boot gives you the protection the coaches want without taking away the "feel" you need to operate the bike.
Learnings From Riders
Many new riders assume they need to look like professional racers on their first day, but experience shows that comfort and flexibility are far more important for successfully completing the course. While tough denim may feel protective, even a low-speed tip-over in the parking lot can result in a painful bone bruise without proper impact protection.
Wearing gear designed with stretch, like Bohn Lycra™ and mesh, keeps armor positioned perfectly over your joints, so it won't slide out of place when you stand up or move around. Riders report that while the mesh fabric may show some wear over time, the armor itself remains securely in place and does not detach from the garment.
For new riders, comfort and stretch-fit gear with SAS-TEC armor ensure joint protection, flexibility, and long-lasting durability.
Durability is another key benefit: our SAS-TEC armor used in Bohn products continues to perform even after a crash and stays effective for up to ten years. That means the gear you invest in for your class will continue to protect you well beyond your first ride.
Mastering the MSF Range Requirements
Every MSF site has a strict list of gear you must wear to participate in the riding portion of the class. These rules are there to mitigate impact damage and help prevent injury while you are learning. If you show up missing even one item, the Rider Coaches usually cannot let you on the bike.
The Helmet and Eye Protection
Your helmet must be DOT-compliant, which means it has a sticker on the back showing it meets federal safety standards. While some sites allow half-helmets, we always suggest a full-face or 3/4 helmet for better coverage. You also need eye protection, which can be a helmet visor, sunglasses, or even clear safety glasses if you are riding in the shade.
When shopping for your first helmet, you will quickly notice a wide range of prices:
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Budget-friendly options from HJC (like the i10 or C10) start around $120-150 and offer solid protection with DOT certification. These helmets are perfect for completing your MSF course and your first season of riding.
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Mid-range helmets from brands like Bell, AGV, and Scorpion typically fall in the $200-$400 range and often include better ventilation, more comfortable liner materials, and quieter rides.
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Premium options from Shoei and Arai can cost $400-$700 or more, but they provide exceptional fit and finish, advanced safety features like multi-density EPS liners, and are engineered to last many years.
RPHA 91 Carbon offers a smooth visor system, 3-step sunshield, dark smoke insert, comfy washable pads, and seamless Bluetooth-ready integration.
For your MSF course specifically, focus on finding a helmet that fits properly rather than spending the most money. A $150 HJC that fits your head shape perfectly will likely protect you better than a $600 Arai that is too loose. Visit a local shop and try on several models to find one that feels snug without creating pressure points.
Whichever brand you choose, make sure it has a DOT sticker at minimum (legal requirement in the USA), with ECE or Snell certification being even better.
Long Sleeves and Sturdy Pants
The coaches will check to make sure your arms are covered down to the wrist and your legs are covered down to the ankle. Denim jeans with no holes are the standard choice for most students.
For upper body protection, most new riders start by looking for a "motorcycle jacket," but a heavy leather coat can be too much for a slow-speed class in the sun. We often suggest starting with an Airtex armored shirt paired with original armored pants, which satisfies the "long sleeve" requirement while keeping you much cooler than a traditional jacket. It fits like a snug base layer and uses SAS-TEC armor to protect your elbows, shoulders, and back.
Ride safely and comfortably: armored shirts and pants keep key points protected while letting new riders move freely.
These Bohn armored base layers give you the flexibility to wear them under almost anything, which means you can start with affordable outer layers and upgrade later without replacing your protection.
Footwear Requirements
For footwear, you need over-the-ankle boots made from leather or heavy synthetic materials. This is where many new riders struggle to find the right balance between protection and comfort:
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TCX and Sidi make dedicated riding boots that are comfortable for all-day wear, with the TCX Street 3 WP and TCX Street 3 Air being popular "sneaker-style" options that don't look overly aggressive. These typically cost $150-$250 and feature reinforced ankle support, shift pads on the left foot, and oil-resistant soles.
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Dainese Street Darker is another great "urban" style boot that looks like sneakers but offers real protection.
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Alpinestars also offers excellent boot options across different price points.
Over-ankle riding boots like the TCX Street Air offer sneaker style with real protection, ankle support, shift pads, and grip.
If you are not ready to invest in motorcycle-specific boots yet, a good pair of leather work boots from Red Wing, Timberland, or Wolverine can work for the MSF course. Just make sure the boots are not so bulky that you cannot feel the shift lever or rear brake pedal.
Key features to look for:
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Genuine leather or heavy synthetic construction
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Laces or straps that keep the boot secure
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Ankle coverage that prevents the boot from sliding down
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A sole with enough grip to plant your feet firmly at stops without being so aggressive that it catches on the footpegs
Avoid:
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Hiking boots with aggressive tread that can catch on footpegs
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Steel-toe work boots that are so bulky you cannot feel the shift lever
Full-Finger Gloves
You cannot wear fingerless "biker" gloves or thin garden gloves. You need full-finger gloves made of leather or a sturdy synthetic material. Your hands are the first things that touch the ground if you trip, so having a good pair of gloves is vital. Look for something that lets you feel the buttons and levers easily.
Alpinestars, Rev'It, Dainese, and budget brands like Icon offer gloves with armor, reinforced palms, and MSF-ready safety.
Alpinestars is one of the most trusted names in motorcycle gloves, offering everything from budget-friendly options around $40 to premium gauntlets over $200. Their SMX-1 Air V2 gloves ($60-$80) are a popular choice for new riders because they balance protection with breathability, featuring hard knuckle armor, reinforced palms, and touchscreen tips.
When shopping for gloves, look for models with:
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Hard knuckle protection (either carbon fiber or hard plastic shells)
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Reinforced palms with additional leather or Kevlar
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Secure wrist closures (either Velcro straps or zippers) to keep the gloves from sliding off in a fall
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Pre-curved fingers that match the natural position of your hands on the grips
The gloves should fit snugly without restricting movement, and you should be able to easily operate the clutch, throttle, and all the controls without the gloves bunching up or sliding around. Even a basic pair of strong leather gloves from a reputable brand will serve you much better than borrowing work gloves or garden gloves for the MSF course.
Why Lightweight Armor Wins in Class
The MSF course involves a lot of "stop and go" work in a paved parking lot. This means you will be sitting on a hot engine in the sun for hours at a time. If you wear a heavy, non-breathable riding suit, you might get overheated, which leads to mistakes and exhaustion.
Staying Cool with Mesh
Our Cool-Air shirts are designed in the USA specifically for these hot conditions. They use a wide-hole mesh that lets every breeze through to your skin while holding the armor tight against your body. This allows you to meet the "long sleeve" requirement and stay protected without feeling like you are in a sauna.
The "Friction Zone" and Mobility
Learning to ride requires a lot of movement. You have to turn your head, shift your weight, and use your fingers and toes with precision. Stiff, bulky gear makes this harder. Bohn gear uses Lycra™ and high-stretch fabrics so you can move naturally. Whether you are 4'9" or 6'10", our gear is built to fit your body and stay out of the way of your learning.
Thinking Beyond the Weekend
The gear you buy for your MSF course should be the start of your riding wardrobe. Instead of buying a "disposable" long-sleeve shirt just for the class, investing in an armored base layer gives you a foundation you can use for years.
Our armor inserts are generously sized – shoulders 5 x 8 inches (6 x 9 for 3XL+) and elbows/forearms 5 x 12 inches – giving more coverage than most beginner jackets. This ensures the armor stays in place over the bones it’s meant to protect. Riders get serious protection without sacrificing comfort or flexibility.
Generously sized armor (shoulders 5×8″, elbows 5×12″) ensures full coverage and comfort, with sizes 3XS–5XL for every rider.
Riders of all shapes and sizes can find a comfortable fit, with options from 3XS to 5XL. Short, Tall, and Big sizes make sure every rider has access to high-quality protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MSF provide the gear for me?
Most schools only provide the motorcycle. Some may have loaner helmets, but you are almost always responsible for your own gloves, long sleeves, pants, and boots. It is always best to bring your own so you know they fit and are clean.
Can I wear sneakers if they cover my ankles?
Usually, no. The MSF requires "sturdy" footwear. Most coaches will reject canvas high-tops (like Chuck Taylors) because they offer no protection if the bike falls on your foot. A leather or heavy synthetic hiking boot is usually the minimum.
Is armor required by the MSF?
Armor is not strictly required by the MSF – they only require "long sleeves" and "long pants." However, most experienced riders will tell you that having CE-Level 1 or CE-Level 2 armor is a very smart move for a beginner who is likely to have a low-speed tip-over.
What is SAS-TEC?
SAS-TEC is a high-end, viscoelastic foam used in Bohn Body Armor. It is soft and flexible while you are moving, but it instantly hardens when it takes an impact. This helps prevent injury by absorbing the energy of a fall.
Can I wear my Bohn gear under regular clothes for the test?
Yes! That is exactly what it is designed for. You can wear our armored pants under your jeans and our armored shirt under a light jacket or even a jersey. As long as your skin is covered and you have your pads in place, you will be one of the best-protected students on the range.
How long does the armor last?
Our SAS-TEC armor has a lifespan of up to 10 years. Unlike some older styles of foam that get brittle and crumble, this material stays flexible and protective for a long time, making it a great value for a new rider.
What if it rains during my course?
The MSF usually rides rain or shine! Bohn gear is great for rainy days because it is thin and fits easily under a waterproof rain suit. Since the fabric is synthetic, it won't get heavy and soggy like a thick cotton sweatshirt would.
Do I need a specific brand of helmet?
No, as long as it has the DOT sticker. However, we recommend looking for helmets that also have ECE or Snell ratings, as these are tested to higher safety standards than the basic DOT requirement.
