i looked at it this way- if i know im gettign a bike after i take the class, if i have bougth cheap stuff i'l spend a lot more replacing it.
cheap gloves ($15) + real MC Gloves ($65) = $80 instead of $65
Cheap helmet ($80) + real helmet ($250ish) = $330 instead of $250
cheap boots- um... honestly i wear "tactical boots" from a mil-surp store and they are fine ($100)
and if you can afford it, i recomend gettign a MC jacket with pads and abrasive resistance (
www.newenough.com) because even falls at low speed can hurt.
that said. good luck and have a blast. the MSF is awesome. who else is going to give you a motorcycle and an abandoned parkign lot and tell you to have fun!