If you are not riding slowly enough when shifting into a lower gear, the motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid.

To protect yourself against injury, you should wear a DOT-compliant helmet; face or eye protection; a jacket and long pants made of sturdy material; boots or shoes that are high and sturdy enough to cover and support your ankles; and gloves made of durable material.

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 you are being chased by a dog, downshift and approach it slowly. Then, as you approach the dog, accelerate and leave it behind.

Most crashes happen on trips that are shorter than five miles, just a few minutes after the rider starts out.

The owner's manual should be your primary source of information about your specific type of motorcycle. Be sure to read the manual before operating your motorcycle for the first time.

The liver burns alcohol at a set rate, and there is nothing you can do to speed along the process. The only way to lessen the effects of alcohol is to give your body the time needed to remove it.

To ride safely on a slippery surface, you should use both brakes when slowing or stopping, reduce your speed, and avoid making sudden moves. Be alert to oily areas, dirt, gravel, shaded areas, and bridges, as these surfaces are more likely to be slippery than others.

Jackets and pants made of leather offer the greatest degree of protection to those riding motorcycles.

To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time.

When preparing to pass on the left, you should ride in the left portion of your lane, both to increase your line of sight and to make yourself more visible to drivers already in the passing lane.

You should not rely on eye contact to guarantee that a driver will yield to you. It is not uncommon for a driver to look directly at a motorcyclist and still fail to actually notice them.

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.

On average, the body can eliminate the alcohol content of about one drink per hour. However, some alcohol may accumulate in the body even if a person consumes only one drink per hour. Their abilities and judgment can still be impaired.

Exposure to engine and wind noise can damage your hearing, even if you are wearing a helmet. Hearing protection can guard against this while still allowing you to hear essential sounds like horns and sirens.

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.

To increase your chances of being seen, wear brightly-colored clothing, use your headlight at all times, and use your turn signals.

Without a helmet, a rider is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury in a crash.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield can help protect your whole face in a crash. While goggles can protect your eyes, they won't protect the rest of your face. A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles.

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.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on trips shorter than five miles, just a few minutes after the rider starts out.

Motorcycles generally have one brake for each wheel. The front brake carries more braking power than the rear brake.

You are especially vulnerable as a motorcyclist, so it is very important to use your turn signals to alert others to your intentions. Always use them any time that you plan to change lanes or turn, even if you don't think anyone else is nearby.

Develop the habit of using both brakes every time you slow or stop. If you need to stop quickly, it is best to apply both brakes. It will be easier to apply both brakes in a quick stop if you have already developed this habit.

Passengers should get on a motorcycle only after the engine has been started and the transmission is put in neutral. They should sit as far forward as possible without hindering the operator's control of the motorcycle and should hold onto the operator's waist, hips, or belt.