If the front tire of a motorcycle fails, it will cause the steering to feel heavy. If your steering feels heavy, immediately exit the road and inspect your tires.

Before every ride, you should check your motorcycle's tires, controls, chains, sprockets, shock absorbers, fasteners, and brakes. A small mechanical issue on a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous in traffic.

To protect yourself when riding, you should always wear a long-sleeved jacket, ideally made of leather. Clothing should be tight enough that it does not flap in the wind, but not so tight that your movement is restricted. It is important to wear protective clothing even in hot weather; many motorcycling jackets are designed to prevent overheating.

Riders in a group should overtake another vehicle one at a time. Each rider should complete their pass and resume their position in the group formation before the next rider begins to pass.

Signs informing road users of road regulations, such as speed limits, are normally rectangular and colored white with black lettering or symbols. Riders must follow the rules posted on these regulatory signs.

When making a turn, you should look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

A motorcycle will continue to ride like new if it is properly maintained and routine inspections become a part of its regular maintenance cycle.

When hazards exist to your left, it is often best to ride in the right portion of the lane. Be prepared to adjust your lane position as road and traffic conditions change.

On average, a person's body can eliminate the alcohol content of about one drink per hour. However, it is still possible for alcohol to accumulate in a person's system even if they consume only one drink per hour. This accumulation can still affect their ability to ride safely.

A small mechanical fault can have more serious consequences on a motorcycle than on a car. Conduct a thorough pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle before every ride.

Instead of or in addition to mechanical turn signals, operators may use hand signals to indicate turns or stops. If an operator's left arm is bent at the elbow and pointing upward, it means the operator plans to turn right or change lanes to the right.

If your motorcycle has a sidecar, it is best for your passenger to ride in the sidecar. They should keep their hands inside the sidecar at all times.

It is recommended that you change gears prior to entering a turn.

To carry a passenger, your motorcycle must have a seat large enough to fit two people without crowding. It must also have a set of foot pegs for the passenger. Be sure to adjust your motorcycle to allow for the added weight of a passenger.

The front brake is safe to use as long as it is used properly. The front brake of a motorcycle is more powerful than the rear brake, providing at least three-fourths of the total stopping power.

If your front wheel locks as a result of braking, you should release the front brake immediately and re-apply the brake smoothly.

Before setting off on any ride, you should do a thorough check of your motorcycle. Inspect the tires, oil and fluid levels, headlight, tail light, turn signals, brake light, clutch and throttle, mirrors, brakes, and horn.

Gloves designed for motorcycle riding are usually made of leather. In addition to improving your grip, gloves provide protection for a rider's hands and fingers.

When riding, you should sit far enough forward that your arms will be slightly bent when holding the handle grips. This will permit you to easily and comfortably reach and operate the controls.

Because it is more difficult to see and judge distances in the dark than in daylight, you should maintain an expanded following distance of at least three seconds when riding at night. It may take you longer than usual to realize the vehicle in front of you has stopped and you may need additional time to slow or stop to avoid hitting the vehicle.

If you experience chain slippage, tightening the chain may help. If tightening the chain does not reverse the problem, replace the chain before continuing to ride your motorcycle.

When following a car, it is often best to ride in the center portion of the lane. The center portion allows you to be seen in the driver's rearview mirror. Most drivers check their rearview mirrors more often than their side mirrors, so being visible in a rearview mirror increases your chances of being seen.

Crashes are the most likely to occur for untrained, beginning riders who are unfamiliar with their motorcycle.

Before riding with a heavy load, you should make sure your tire pressure, spring pre-load, air shocks, and dampers are at the settings recommended for the relevant weight.

A properly chosen lane position should provide a number of benefits, including an increased ability to see others and to be seen. It should help you avoid wind blasts, other drivers' blind spots, and surface hazards. Your lane position should discourage other drivers from trying to share your lane and provide you with an escape route, should a hazard arise.