When passing a row of parked cars, it is generally best to stay on the side of your lane that is not directly next to the cars. This will help to protect you from potential hazards like car doors being opened or people stepping out from between the cars. If there is traffic coming from the opposite direction, it is a good idea to stay in the center portion of the lane.

Strategies for safely riding at night include reducing your speed, increasing your following distance, using the lights of the car ahead to help see farther down the road, using your high beam headlight (unless following or meeting another vehicle), and being flexible about your lane position.

Goggles can provide protection for your eyes, but only a face shield can protect your entire face. Eyeglasses are not an adequate substitute for either goggles or a face shield.

For your protection, you should wear a long-sleeved jacket, ideally made of leather, when riding. In warm weather, a leather jacket can help protect you against dehydration. Many motorcycle jackets are designed to help keep you cool even when the weather is hot.

It is possible to use both brakes while turning, but it must be done with great care. Some of the tires' usual traction is being used to make the turn while the motorcycle is leaning, so less traction is available for stopping.

An integrated braking system is a variant of a linked braking system. Partial front braking is applied whenever the rear brake is activated. Check your owner's manual for a detailed explanation of the braking system on your motorcycle.

To reduce the risk of a crash, you should always ensure that you are visible to others. Communicate your intentions through proper use of your signals, brake light, and lane position. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle and consistently scan the road ahead of, behind, and next to your vehicle.

Because adding a load to a motorcycle increases its weight, the vehicle's inertia may increase, causing its stopping distance to increase. Begin slowing and stopping earlier when riding a motorcycle with a load or passenger in its sidecar.

You will get the greatest amount of protection from a helmet if it meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards, fits snugly all the way around, and has no obvious defects. A helmet worn at the time of a crash should be replaced.

A two-second following distance is generally appropriate. Allow a larger cushion of space when riding under conditions that will increase your stopping distance, such as when the road surface is icy or wet.

Because of the additional weight added by cargo or a passenger, motorcycles may take longer to accelerate and stop than they would if only transporting the operator.

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.

Before each ride, you should check the air pressure, tread, and general wear of your tires.

To reduce the risk of a collision when riding at night, be sure to reduce your speed and increase your following distance. Use the headlights of vehicles ahead of you to see farther down the road. You should always be flexible about your lane position, especially when riding at night.

Crossing rain grooves or bridge gratings may cause your motorcycle to move in a weaving motion. This is usually not dangerous, so simply relax and proceed across the surface at a steady speed. Trying to ride at an angle to compensate for the weave is dangerous because it forces you to zigzag to stay in your lane.

Because road and traffic conditions are always changing, the safest lane position is also always changing. Choose the position that will maximize your space cushion and allow other drivers to see you most easily.

No matter the speed, riders who are not wearing helmets are three times more likely to die from head injuries than riders who are wearing helmets at the time of a crash.

Motorcycles generally have two brakes, one for the front wheel and one for the rear wheel.

Because of the extra weight placed on a motorcycle by a passenger, you may need to adjust the motorcycle's shocks before carrying a passenger. Because the motorcycle will sit at a different angle, you should also adjust the headlight and mirrors to compensate for the additional weight.

Most motorcycle crashes involve riders with little experience on their motorcycle.

When being passed, it is best to ride in the center portion of your lane. Riding on the side nearest to the passing vehicle increases the risk of a collision. Riding on the side farthest from the passing vehicle is also dangerous because it may tempt them to merge back into your lane too soon. Stay in the center portion of the lane when being passed.

In comparison to flat mirrors, convex mirrors provide a wider view of the road behind you. They also make objects seem farther away than they actually are. Take the time to get used to your mirrors if your motorcycle is equipped with convex mirrors.

Appropriate clothing can reduce the risk of injury in a crash. Choose a jacket and pants that cover your arms and legs, are made of sturdy material, and are snug enough that they do not flap in the wind.

When being passed, it is generally safest to ride in the center portion of your lane. Riding on the side of the lane nearest the passing driver increases the danger of a collision, and riding on the side farthest from the passing driver may tempt them to return to your lane too soon.

Taking a turn too fast is dangerous. If you cannot hold the turn, you may end up turning into another lane or even off of the road entirely. Use caution when taking a turn.

The front brake of a motorcycle is more powerful than the rear brake. The front brake supplies at least 70 percent of a motorcycle's total stopping power.

For your protection, you should always wear a long-sleeved jacket made of appropriate material when riding. This is true even in warm weather because wearing a jacket is important to help prevent dehydration. You should also always wear long pants, and tuck in the laces of your footwear to prevent them from catching on the motorcycle.

The rear brake of a motorcycle is usually operated with the right foot.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield can help protect your whole face if you are involved in a crash. Goggles protect your eyes, but not the rest of your face. A windshield is not an adequate substitute for googles or a face shield.

If your throttle becomes stuck, try twisting it back and forth several times. If this does not free your throttle, immediately operate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time.