Before getting on a motorcycle, you should check the tread and air pressure of the tires, the oil and fluid levels, the lights, and the signals.

If you accidentally lock the rear brake on a good traction surface, you can keep it locked until you have completely stopped. You should still be able to steer your motorcycle with a locked rear wheel.

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.

Wearing reflective and brightly-colored clothing is always a good idea when riding a motorcycle. Crashes occur in broad daylight and at night, so it is best to wear highly visible clothing at any time of day.

Even if your passenger is also a motorcyclist, you should give them complete safety instructions before leaving on a trip. Ask them to get on the motorcycle only after you have started the engine. They should sit as far forward as possible without crowding you and firmly hold onto your waist, hips, or belt. They should keep both feet on the footrests at all times, even when the bike is stopped.

Using your high beam headlight during the day increases the likelihood that other drivers will see you. Use your high beam headlight any time you are not riding behind or approaching other vehicles.

Most motorcycle crashes occur in broad daylight. Increasing your visibility by wearing bright colors and reflective materials is a good idea at all times.

Goggles and face shields will help protect your eyes from wind. Most windshields, as well as eyeglasses or sunglasses, will not.

A motorcycle will continue to ride like new if it is properly maintained and routine inspections become a part of its regular maintenance cycle.

It is safest to wear long pants and a jacket to fully cover your arms and legs while riding. Clothing made of leather can provide the highest level of protection.

Motorcyclists will seldom hear their tire go flat. Tire failure is more commonly indicated by a sudden change in handling.

Before setting off on any ride, you should do a thorough check of your motorcycle. Inspect the tires, oil and fluid levels, headlight, tail light, turn signals, brake light, clutch and throttle, mirrors, brakes, and horn.

Motorcycles, like any other vehicle, have blind spots. Therefore, you cannot rely only on your mirrors to know what is happening behind you. Frequent head checks should be part of your normal routine.

Stay well behind the vehicle in front of you, even if you are both stopped. The vehicle could back up unexpectedly, or you may need space to get out of the way of another vehicle bearing down on you from behind.

If one member of a group wants to ride faster than the others, it is best to let them go ahead of the group and meet at a designated spot later.

While the basic techniques for safely passing and being passed are the same as when driving a car, visibility is more critical when riding a motorcycle. The smaller size of a motorcycle makes it easier for you to disappear into another vehicle's blind spot, or for the driver to fail to notice you even if they are able to see you.

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.

On average, a person's body can eliminate the alcohol content of about one drink per hour. The amount of time required to lower a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) can vary, so it is safest not to operate any motor vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol.

When passing a row of parked cars, it is generally best to stay on the side of your lane that is not directly next to the cars. This will help to protect you from potential hazards like car doors being opened or people stepping out from between the cars. If there is traffic coming from the opposite direction, it is a good idea to stay in the center portion of the lane.

At any speed, wearing a helmet will make you three times more likely to survive head injuries in the event of a crash than you would if not wearing a helmet.

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. You should practice judging distances in convex mirrors if you are not used to them.

While some people believe that a helmet will limit their vision, this is not the case. Any U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet will allow the wearer to see as far as is needed for safe riding.

When hazards exist to your left, it is often best to ride in the right portion of the lane. Be prepared to adjust your lane position as road and traffic conditions change.

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.

It is recommended that you change gears prior to entering a turn.

After mounting your motorcycle, you should make sure the clutch, throttle, horn, and brakes all work properly. Clean and adjust the mirrors and make sure that the fuel supply valve is open.

While a two-second following distance is generally adequate, you should increase your following distance any time conditions would require a longer stopping distance, such as when the pavement is slippery due to poor weather conditions. Additionally, you should increase your following distance at night, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, and when traffic is heavy.

Maintaining a cushion of space on all sides of your motorcycle helps to ensure that you have time and space to react if another road user makes a mistake.

The three major factors that affect a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) are the amount of alcohol consumed, how fast the alcohol was consumed, and the drinker's body weight. It is illegal and dangerous to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

A properly chosen lane position can optimize a number of safety factors. Your lane position should keep you out of other vehicles’ blind spots, increase your ability to see and be seen, help you avoid surface hazards, help you avoid wind blasts from other vehicles, and provide you with an escape route from any hazards that might arise. You should be positioned in a way that discourages other drivers from trying to share your lane.