Taking a corner too fast may cause you to cross into another lane or go off the road. Be sure to decelerate before beginning to take a turn or curve.

Appropriate clothing can reduce the risk of injury in a crash. Choose a jacket and pants that cover your arms and legs, are made of sturdy material, and are snug enough that they do not flap in the wind.

You can make yourself easier to see by wearing brightly-colored, reflective clothing. Ride with your headlight on at all times and use your turn signals and brake light appropriately.

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.

When preparing to pass another vehicle on its left, you should ride in the left portion of the lane to increase your line of sight and make yourself more visible to oncoming traffic.

If you are not riding slowly enough when shifting into a lower gear, your motorcycle may lurch and the rear tire may skid, causing you to lose control of your motorcycle. Be sure that you are moving slowly enough before shifting into a lower gear.

For maximum straight-line braking, you should apply the brakes smoothly and firmly. As more weight transfers forward, more will be more traction available at the front wheel, allowing you to apply the front brake with progressively increasing force while reducing the pressure being used on the rear brake. Keep your knees against the gas tank and your eyes up to help keep yourself moving in a straight line.

You should clean and adjust both mirrors before starting your motorcycle. Adjust your mirrors so you can see the lane behind you and as much as possible of the lane next to you.

When riding behind a car, you should position yourself so you can be seen in the other driver's rearview mirror. Riding in the center portion of the lane will generally ensure that you will appear in the middle of their rearview mirror, where the driver is most likely to notice you.

The best way to handle a tailgater is to get them in front of you. If you can do so safely, change lanes and let them pass. Speeding up may only increase the danger by causing them to continue tailgating you at a higher speed.

To help reduce your reaction time, you should cover the clutch and brakes. This is especially helpful when riding through areas where potential hazards are likely.

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.

Riding with a sidecar increases the weight of a motorcycle and increases the braking force needed to stop the motorcycle. Slowing and stopping take longer when riding a vehicle downhill than when riding on a flat surface.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on short trips that are less than five miles long at speeds slower than 30 miles per hour.

Proper clothing for riding can help protect you from injury in the event of a collision. It can also protect against routine hazards and discomforts, such as hot or cold weather.

A person who is of legal drinking age with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is considered legally intoxicated. It is both illegal and unsafe to ride a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol.

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.

If a tailgater is following you too closely, it is advisable to flash your brake light before you begin to decelerate. The tailgater may be concentrating on you and may not be aware of hazards farther down the road that you are slowing to avoid.

Drippings from cars tend to form an oily strip in the center of each lane. Unless conditions are wet, it is usually still safe for a motorcycle to operate on the center strip.

The best way to help other drivers see your motorcycle is to keep your headlight on whenever you ride. During the day, a motorcycle with its headlight on is twice as likely to be noticed.

To apply the front brake, firmly and smoothly squeeze the brake lever with all four fingers, applying progressively more force.

The front brake lever is generally located on the right handgrip. Make sure that you are aware of the locations of all your motorcycle's controls before beginning to ride.

You should wear gear that helps protect you while you ride. It is best to wear a DOT-approved helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.

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.

You should never take eye contact with another driver as a guarantee that they will properly yield the right-of-way to you.

Maximum straight-line braking is accomplished by simultaneously applying both the front and rear brakes without locking either wheel.

An expanded cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and another driver may try to squeeze in front of you, open up to a larger following distance.

When approaching railroad tracks that cross your lane at an angle, it is best to simply cross the tracks while riding straight within your lane. Turning to cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle could be dangerous because you could end up crossing into another lane of traffic.

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

When riding over a rough surface, hold onto the handgrips firmly to ensure that you will maintain directional control over your motorcycle.