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.

To reduce the risk of injury, riders should wear a helmet, eye protection, heavy shoes or boots, full-length pants, a jacket, and full-fingered gloves. Clothing should be made of durable materials to best protect the wearer.

Riding safely at night is challenging because it is harder to see and be seen than it is during the day. The absence of normal shadows and light contrasts makes it harder to judge distances.

A pre-ride inspection should include checks of the tires, oil and fluids, lights, signals, clutch, throttle, mirrors, brakes, and horn. Conduct a thorough pre-ride inspection before every ride.

To ensure that you have a helmet that will provide the best possible protection, you should choose one that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. It should fit snugly all the way around and have no obvious defects, such as cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps.

Rounded, or convex, mirrors provide a wider view of the road than flat mirrors, but they also make objects seem farther away than they actually are.

If your motorcycle has a sidecar, it is best for your passenger to ride in the sidecar. They should keep their hands inside the sidecar at all times.

Because motorcycles are small in stature and have fewer and smaller lights than other vehicles, they can be difficult to see. For your safety, it is best to ride defensively and assume that others on the road do not see you.

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.

Open up your following distance if your motorcycle will require a longer distance than normal to stop. Additionally, if you are riding in heavy traffic or if you cannot see through the vehicle in front of you, you should also increase your following distance.

Avoid riding directly alongside another vehicle, since this may place you in the vehicle's blind spot. If the driver can't see you, they may enter your lane without warning. Riding alongside a vehicle is also dangerous because the vehicle will block your route of escape if a hazard arises.

For your protection while riding, it is best to wear a jacket and pants that cover your arms and legs completely. Boots or shoes should be tall and sturdy enough to cover and support your ankles. Footwear should have low heels that will not catch on the foot pegs or rough road surfaces. Gloves made of leather or another durable material will help protect your hands in the event of a crash while providing you with an improved grip on the controls.

The rear brake of a motorcycle is usually operated with the right foot.

Trying to accelerate out of a wobble is dangerous and will only make your motorcycle more unstable. Instead, grip the handlebars firmly (without trying to fight the wobble), gradually close the throttle to slow down, and move your weight as far forward and downward as possible. Pull off the road as soon as you can.

Signs informing road users of road regulations, such as speed limits, are normally rectangular and colored white with black lettering or symbols. Riders must follow the rules posted on these regulatory signs.

Motorcycle headlights are generally smaller and less powerful than those of cars.

For riding, choose boots or heavy shoes that are tall and sturdy enough to cover and support your ankles. Heels should be low so that they won't catch on rough surfaces. Tuck in long laces so that they don't catch on the motorcycle's moving parts.

Perform an inspection of your motorcycle before every ride. This takes only a few minutes and helps prevent dangerous situations before entering traffic.

Drivers merging onto a highway and into your lane may not notice your motorcycle. Give them plenty of space to safely merge by moving into a different lane, if you can.

You should not ride alongside another motorcyclist because doing so will limit both of your possible routes of escape if you encounter a hazard.

Always use both brakes every time you slow or stop, even when making routine, non-emergency stops.

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

In South Carolina, passengers under the age of 21 must wear a helmet and eye protection, though it is recommended that all motorcycle riders wear helmets and eye protection. Passengers should avoid wearing loose clothing that might catch on the motorcycle and should always lean with the operator when turning. Passengers should never be allowed to ride sidesaddle.

Never let someone ride if they have had too much to drink. Do whatever you can to prevent them from riding, including taking their keys, if necessary. Arrange an alternative way for them to get home.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield helps protect your entire face, including your eyes. Goggles can protect your eyes, but not the rest of your face. A windshield is not an adequate substitute for either.