A passenger should lean with the operator through turns and curves. They should sit as far forward as possible, without hindering the operator's control of the motorcycle, and hold onto passenger handholds or the operator's waist, hips, or belt.

While riding in a staggered formation is usually best for a group of two-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motorcycles are too wide to allow this formation. A group of riders on three-wheeled motorcycles should travel in a single-file line.

Before every ride, you should check your motorcycle's tires, controls, chains, sprockets, shock absorbers, fasteners, and brakes. A small mechanical issue on a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous in traffic.

To reduce the risk of being involved in 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.

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

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.

Frequent mirror checks should be part of your normal searching routine. Additionally, make a special point of using your mirrors before changing lanes, when stopping at an intersection, and before slowing down.

If your front wheel locks, immediately and completely release the front brake. Re-apply the brake smoothly.

A staggered formation is generally the best way for a group to maintain close ranks while also allowing each rider to maintain an adequate cushion of space. A single-file formation is preferable when taking curves, turning, or entering or exiting a highway.

Do not try to accelerate out of a wobble because doing so will only make the motorcycle more unstable. Instead, grip the handlebars firmly, slow down by gradually closing the throttle, move your weight as far forward and downward as possible, and pull off the road as soon as you can. Avoid applying the brakes, as this may also worsen the wobble.

Wearing goggles provides protection for your eyes, but not for the rest of your face. A face shield provides protection for your whole face and is recommended above goggles. A windshield is not an adequate substitute for a face shield or goggles.

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.

Passing must be completed within the posted speed limits, and only in areas where passing is safe and legal.

Never let someone ride if they have had too much to drink. Do whatever you can to prevent them from riding. It can be helpful to recruit a group of friends to intervene and apply peer pressure to the person.

Most riders involved in crashes under-brake the front tire and over-brake the rear.

There are several major factors that can affect a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A BAC is determined in part by the amount of alcohol someone has consumed, how fast they consumed the alcohol, and their body weight.

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.

Hand signals are an important part of communication when riding in groups. If a lead rider extends their left arm straight down with their palm facing back, the group of riders should come to a stop.

A motorcycle's single brake light is not as noticeable as the two larger brake lights of a car or truck. It can be a good idea to flash your brake light to help others notice it, especially when you need to slow down more quickly than surrounding drivers may expect.

Oily drippings from cars collect in a strip in the center of a traffic lane. Unless the road is wet, this area will generally still provide enough traction for motorcyclists to ride safely. Because the strip is usually no more than two feet wide, it is often possible to ride to one side of the strip and still be in the center portion of the lane.

A number of surfaces can provide poor traction for tires. Wet pavement; roads covered in loose gravel or sand; muddy, snowy, or icy areas; painted lane markings; and metal covers and plates in the road can be more hazardous for a motorcyclist than dry pavement.

The shortest and safest stops are achieved by using both the front and rear brakes in a smooth and progressive manner, without skidding either tire.

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 their size, motorcycles may seem to be traveling faster than they actually are.

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.