Riding Tools

Riding a motorcycle safely requires a little more preparation than driving a car safely. Cars tend to provide more protection against things you might (or will) encounter, and preparing in advance can definitely help you be safer and more comfortable.

These are things you MUST have when attending any MMSC riding course.

In Minnesota (and many other places), you must have these items for every motorcycle course offered through the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC):

• DOT approved helmet - Snell certification actually isn’t acceptable, as the law says the MN Commissioner on Public Safety sets the rules (7460.0300), which point to a Federal standard on helmets. It boils down to requiring DOT certification.
• Eye protection - For the purposes of class, anything between your eyeballs and your coaches is sufficient. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, and safety glasses all qualify. If you have a helmet that includes a visor, that also works. For helmets that have an internal visor in addition to an external one, the internal one will qualify for most classes.
• Long pants - No “booty shorts” allowed! Your long pants should be intact, i.e., not have holes other than the ones absolutely required to put your legs through in order to wear them.
• Long sleeves - An armored riding jacket is certainly fine, but for some classes a lighter weight long sleeve shirt might suffice.
• Footwear that covers the ankle - No flipflops allowed! Riding boots are preferred; they’re built specifically to provide protection when riding. However, hightops or hiking boots will meet this requirement provided they cover your ankles.
• Gloves - These should be robust enough to provide some protection in the event of an unplanned dismount, and be full fingered gloves. Fingerless gloves will have no finger protection. Surgical gloves and dishwashing gloves, while technically covering fingers, are not robust enough. Leather work gloves may suffice for training purposes.

That said, you might want to go above the minimum requirements. When I take classes, I tend to wear the actual gear I expect to wear when out on the road. On particularly warm days, during low speed practice, I will sometimes not wear a jacket, but usually I’m fully kitted out in exactly the stuff I wear when I’m riding to places like Arizona or Utah.

Remember, moms say to dress in layers. Doing this for a motorcycle class often makes sense, too.

Specific to beginner’s class

You MUST be able to ride a bicycle. The skills used to ride bicycles have direct application in riding a motorcycle, and the course is not set up to help with learning those skills.

Unendorsed riders, BRING YOUR PERMIT! For many people, the point of taking a beginner’s course is to get a motorcycle endorsement, and classes include a riding test at the end. Passing the test earns a stamp on your permit that tells the DMV you’re qualified to get a motorcycle endorsement. Coaches cannot stamp a permit that’s not actually there! (Also, they won’t do things like meet you in a Walmart parking lot in a couple days and stamp it then because that is sooooo illegal.) A photo on your phone is not going to work, because coaches can’t stamp your phone.

It is true that the beginning class does allow riders to ride their own bikes under highly specific conditions. MMSC (as of 2025-04-27) says motorcycles or scooters must meet these criteria:

• 51-500cc engine displacement
• street legal
• licensed/currently registered
• insured (proof of insurance required)
• pass a basic equipment inspection

You’re encouraged to use the provided bikes, though, because it’s probably safer in the long run. For example, if another student damages your bike, you’re on the hook for paying for repairs.

Specific to classes other than a beginner’s class

These are things you’ll need to bring to these classes:

• motorcycle - Except for certain situations involving special contract classes, bikes are NOT provided. The bike you bring must be street legal and licensed. It will also need to pass a basic inspection.
• valid driver’s license - A valid driver’s license is required. This will be checked.
• motorcycle endorsement OR valid motorcycle permit - Most riders taking these classes are already endorsed, but riders with valid permits are also allowed. This will be checked.
• insurance - Proof of insurance for your bike is required. This will be checked.

Additionally, you should be comfortable on your bike before taking a non-beginner class. This means you should also be able to ride in a straight line, turn, shift, and (most importantly!) stop. Clutch control is also important, particularly in the advanced and expert courses.

Advanced and expert classes

For these classes, the MMSC requires heavy pants and a motorcycle jacket.

These are optional things that you should seriously consider bringing, too.

You are generally more exposed to weather on a bike than you are in a car. Staying comfortable is more about just being comfortable on a bike; it also tends to improve your safety and ability to ride. These things are also likely to be very useful to bring along:

• wet weather gear - Classes will run even if it rains, and riding in rain is a part of riding in general. Having clothing with you that can provide protection from rain can improve
• sunscreen - Classes will run in sunlight, too! While your shirt, pants, and gloves, and helmet will provide considerable protection from sunburn, those parts of you that are still exposed are—well, still exposed!
• food and water - Students are expected to bring whatever food or water they will want with them to class. Consider bringing more than you think you’ll need. For example, if you think you only need one bottle of water, bring two. if you think you won’t need any water at all, bring some anyway. Snacks can also be helpful, too.
• necessary medications - If you have certain medication requirements, please bring them with you. For example, sometimes diabetics may need to take insulin if they plan to eat or drink certain types of food. If you anticipate this sort of need, please account for it.

Additionally, some people bring coolers (for food and drink) and camp chairs. These are by no means required (although you should expect there to NOT be a cooler on site), but may help with staying comfortable.

Is there anything else I should bring?

• curiosity
  • If you’re new to riding, much of what you experience will probably be new to you. Ask questions about things you don’t understand. The odds are probably good you’re not the only one with the question you’re asking, and the instructors should be able to steer you towards answers that they do not immediately have.
  • If you’re a seasoned rider, much of what you encounter may be familiar. Classes are an opportunity to critically evaluate your own riding skills and technique, and get input from others, all while riding in a controlled environment free from inattentive drivers.
• open mind - Listen to feedback from your instructors. They may (and often do) identify potential problems in riding technique, and way to help you refine good technique you already use.
• willingness to continue trying - Learning new skills can be time consuming. If it seems like you’re struggling with an exercise, keep at it anyway. Ask your instructors for ways to improve. People learn in a variety of ways, so it’s likely that a task or exercise can be approached in another way. Your instructors should be able to help identify alternate approaches.

Overall, stay relaxed and focused as best you can. Talk with your instructors and fellow students. Just as it’s possible they may help you with any difficulties you’re encountering, you may help them.