You should always wear a sturdy jacket with long sleeves when riding a motorcycle, even if the weather is warm.

It is a good idea to get into the habit of using both the front and rear brakes every time you slow or stop.

The greatest potential for conflict between motorcycles and other traffic is at intersections. Oncoming cars turning left in front of motorcyclists is the biggest danger.

The best way to handle tailgaters is usually to change lanes and let them pass. Speeding up may only increase the danger by prompting them to continue tailgating you at the higher speed.

Long-term exposure to wind noise can permanently damage your hearing. Using proper ear plugs or other hearing protection when riding is recommended.

The main factors that determine a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) are the person's body weight, how much alcohol is consumed, and how quickly the alcohol was consumed. It is always safest to not ride after consuming alcohol in any amount.

You should increase your following distance if it will take your motorcycle longer than normal to stop, if you can't see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and other vehicles are likely to try to squeeze in front of you.

Clothing for riding should provide protection while keeping you comfortable. Jackets and pants should be snug enough that they do not flap in the wind, but not so snug that they restrict your movements.

You should never take eye contact with another driver as a guarantee that they will properly yield to you. It is not uncommon for a driver to look directly at a motorcyclist and still fail to notice them.

It can be difficult to judge the speed and distance of a small vehicle, such as a motorcycle. Do not assume that drivers of larger vehicles will be able to accurately understand your speed and location.

A motorcycle's horn is not as loud as the horns of other vehicles. Motorcyclists should use their horns where appropriate but should not rely on their horns to keep them safe.

The best way to stop quickly is to apply controlled pressure to both the rear and front brakes at the same time. Be careful not to lock the brakes in the process.

All curves are different. When taking a curve, choose a lane position that is appropriate for conditions and adjust as needed.

Use hand signals when bright sunlight makes your mechanical signals difficult for other drivers to see. It is extremely important to clearly communicate with other road users.

Avoid riding on oil and grease buildup. Because the oily strip in the center of a lane is usually no more than two feet wide, it is often possible to stay to the left or right side of the oil and still be in the center portion of the lane.

Traction may be poor on surfaces such as wet, snowy, icy, or muddy pavement; gravel roads; lane markings; and steel plates and utility hole covers.

If you accidentally lock your rear wheel while stopping on a straightaway, you can keep it locked until you have completely stopped. Even with a locked rear wheel, you can usually control your motorcycle if it is upright and traveling in a straight line.

Proper face/eye protection is required by law in the state of California. A face shield can protect your whole face in the event of a collision. An effective eye or face shield must allow the rider a clear view to either side.

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.

Keep your feet firmly on the footrests for balance. The motorcycle should be equipped with passenger footrests. Firm footing prevents your passenger from falling off and pulling you off, too.

If your front wheel locks while you are making a quick stop, release the front brake immediately and then re-apply it firmly. Use both the front and rear brakes if you need to stop quickly.

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.

Octagonal signs that are colored red are always stop signs. When approaching one of these signs, you must come to a complete stop, yield to any other traffic or pedestrians, and proceed once it is safe to do so.

When approaching a blind intersection, move into the portion of the lane that will bring you into another driver’s field of vision at the earliest possible moment.

Regulatory signs are white signs with red and black markings that inform drivers of specific traffic laws in the indicated area. This sign indicates that right turns are prohibited.