Loads should be positioned forward with heavier items toward the front of the load. Loads should be over or in front of the rear axle. Lighter items should be packed behind you.

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. Choose a lane position that maximizes your space cushion.

Choosing a brightly-colored helmet is recommended. Not only will the helmet protect you in the case of a crash, but the bright color of the helmet will help other road users see you.

It is important to do a thorough inspection of your motorcycle before every ride. This will usually take you only a few minutes.

If a hazard requires you to brake and swerve to avoid a collision, you should take the actions separately. Do not brake while swerving because doing so may cause your motorcycle to fall over.

A rider should always use both brakes every time they slow or stop.

If you borrow a motorcycle, make all of the same pre-ride safety checks that you would make on your own motorcycle. You should ride cautiously when using an unfamiliar motorcycle and allow yourself extra space when stopping.

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.

The right clothing can provide vital protection if you are involved in a collision. Always wear a jacket and pants that fully cover your arms and legs, even in warm weather. Clothing should fit snugly enough that it does not flap in the wind but should also be loose enough that your movement is not restricted.

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.

While a staggered formation is generally recommended, riders in a group should move into a single-file formation when taking curves, taking turns, entering a highway, or leaving a highway.

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.

When riding in a group, the length of a route and the lengths of segments of travel should be based on the skill level of the least experienced rider. Groups of riders should take regular breaks to reduce fatigue. Inexperienced riders should be placed behind the leader so more experienced riders can keep an eye on them from behind. It is generally best to ride in a staggered formation.

It is never safe to operate a motorcycle after consuming any amount of alcohol. Impairment of the skills needed to safely ride begins well below the legal limit.

You can reduce your risk of injury when riding a motorcycle by wearing an approved helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.

When riding on slippery surfaces, you should reduce your speed. Make certain to use both brakes when braking and avoid making sudden moves.

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.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on trips that are shorter than five miles in length at speeds slower than 30 mph.

Most wobbles can be traced to improper loading, unsuitable accessories, or incorrect tire pressure. Do not try to accelerate out of a wobble.

To safely ride on a slippery surface, you should reduce your speed, avoid making sudden movements, and use both brakes if you need to brake.

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

A motorcycle requires more frequent attention than a car. Make a complete check of your motorcycle before every ride.

Both brakes should be used at the same time whenever you slow or stop.

If you are being chased by a dog, downshift and approach it slowly. Then, as you approach the dog, accelerate and leave it behind. If you encounter a larger animal, brake and prepare to stop.

If you cannot avoid riding over an obstacle or uneven surface, you should approach it at as close to a 90-degree angle as possible. Slow down as much as you can, make sure that your motorcycle is upright, and rise slightly off your seat so your knees can absorb some of the force of impact. Just before contact, roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end.