i once went to the hardware store and the employee didn't know what i meant
I know this is a stretch but if you have time, cross the border into Canada. At Crazy Al's in London,Ontario is a bikers leather shop, leather gloves for $9 a pair leather boots $35 up. It's worth the drive, they have helmets for $20,leather jackets,gloves,chaps, everything. These prices are in Canadian dollar but they will except American money I am American. They are at interestate 401 Wellington St.
since you plan on riding after taking the test go check out a Army Surplus store - for SWAT boots they are very protective, leather, have a steel shank, anti skid soles and cost less than $150
You get what you pay for. But you can always look for something used on craigslist. You can buy decent gear that isn't made spacifically for motorcycles, and is usually a little cheaper.
All of them will explode when heated by fire, but when they get that hot no one is going to be able to use them anyway. BTW: Extinguishers are for small fires: waste can, stove top, etc. Fires bigger then this should be left to professionals, so get out and call 911.
Firecracker is right on about shopping cheap at first. As for starter boots, I purchased a pair of Dr. Schools steal toe and heal boots at Famous Footwear for work that are perfect for riding, and at $56 were a bargain. They are over the ankle and are not high on the calf (I have big calves and combat style boots are pushed down and end up rubbing my heals to blisters) and with built in gel soles for comfort on long rides to boot. The key in boots is how well they protect the ankle, not from side impacts, but from excessive movement, Chuck Taylors are over the ankle, but provide no ankle support. As for gloves, I crap you not, but I ride almost every day using a pair of Snap-on mechanics gloves that I bought at Big-Lot's for $12 ($20 something retail). They're breathable, fit well, and grip well in the wet. As for the the helmets to borrow. Whose cooties are in that helmet? Do they have removable and washable liners that are removed and washed after every class? Can they PROVE IT? And most importantly what is your brain worth? During the 2 major accidents I have had, I was wearing DOT approved helmets (AGV on a race course and slammed by another rider $189) (SHOEI RF 800 ($340 new) hit from behind at a red light by a driver who didn't see me and I ended up in the back seat of her car). Is your brain worth $529? As an aside, I'm from Pittsburgh, PA, and feel that you should go low end on the required gear and buy your own helmet, even if you finish the course and decide you don't want to ride, at least you have a brain to decide. Right?
