A motorcycle fits you appropriately if your feet comfortably reach the ground while you are seated. Be sure a motorcycle fits you before riding.

Many drugs, including legal prescription and over-the-counter medications, have side effects that can impair your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. Always talk to your doctor about how a new medication may affect your driving or riding abilities.

Most motorcycle crashes happen in broad daylight. To make yourself more noticeable, wear brightly-colored clothing when riding, even during the daytime.

Most motorcycle crashes occur in broad daylight, so wearing brightly-colored, reflective clothing while riding is advised no matter the time of day.

Googles will protect your eyes from the wind, but most windshields will not. A windshield is not an adequate substitute for goggles or a face shield.

Because a passenger will place additional weight on your motorcycle, you will probably need to add a few pounds of pressure to your tires before riding. Check your owner's manual for details regarding the appropriate pressure settings to use.

To reduce the risk of being involved in a collision, consistently scan your path of travel at least 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your motorcycle. Scanning the road ahead will give you time to react to a hazard before meeting the hazard.

When passing a row of parked vehicles to your right, you may ride in the left portion of your lane. This way, you can more easily avoid opening doors, drivers getting out of vehicles, or people stepping out from between vehicles. Only ride in the left portion of the lane if there is no oncoming traffic.

All operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant safety helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. The manufacturer of the helmet must certify that the helmet meets federal standards.

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.

While searching the road for potential hazards, focus on looking for escape routes in or around intersections, shopping areas, schools, and construction zones.

On a slippery surface, you should reduce your speed, avoid making sudden moves, and brake by using both brakes.

Loads should be kept over, or in front of, the rear axle. Only experienced riders should carry loads on their motorcycle.

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

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.

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.

Intersections present the greatest potential for conflict between a motorcycle and other vehicles. Motorcyclists should exercise caution when approaching an intersection.

In high-risk areas, such as intersections, shopping areas, schools, or construction zones, a motorcyclist should reduce their speed. They should cover the clutch and both brake levers to reduce their reaction time in the case of an emergency.

Choose a lane position that helps you avoid road hazards. Make sure you maintain a safe cushion of space around your motorcycle at all times.

If your motorcycle begins to weave while riding over uneven rain grooves or bridge gratings, simply relax and proceed straight across the grooves at a steady speed. Steering in a zigzag pattern as you cross gratings is more dangerous than the weaving.

Just like any other vehicle, motorcycles have blind spots. A rider should always turn their head to check for traffic in their blind spot before changing lanes. It is a good idea for a rider to make head checks a part of their normal routine.

If you must both swerve and brake to avoid a hazard, you should separate the actions. Brake then swerve, or swerve then brake, but do not perform both actions at the same time.

There are five locations where it is permissible to place a transponder or other electronic toll payment device, provided that toll readers can detect it. A transponder may be placed in a motorcyclist's pocket, inside a cycle net draped across the gas tank of the motorcycle, on a license plate device, in a storage compartment on the motorcycle, or on the windshield of the motorcycle.

Footwear for riding should be high and sturdy enough to cover and support your ankles. Heels should be low enough that they won't catch on rough surfaces. Shoelaces should be tucked in to keep them from catching on the motorcycle.

A motorcycle is defined as a motor vehicle with a seat or saddle for the rider and no more than three wheels.

A sturdy riding jacket provides essential protection in the event of a crash, no matter the weather. Jackets also provide an additional benefit in hot weather by protecting the rider against dehydration. Many motorcycling jackets are designed to prevent the wearer from overheating.

Wearing brightly-colored clothing while riding will make it easier for others on the road to see you. This is true regardless of the time of day.

Riding in the center portion of your lane can discourage other drivers from trying to squeeze into your lane to drive next to you. Additionally, riding in the center portion of your lane when traveling behind a car generally ensures that you will appear in the middle of the vehicle's rearview mirror, where the driver is most likely to notice you.

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.

If you approach an intersection that is not marked with signs or traffic lights at the same time as another driver, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.