Under normal conditions, you should maintain a minimum two-second following distance. Increase your following distance any time conditions are less than perfect.

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.

When riding, it is safest for a motorcyclist to wear a helmet, eye protection, a jacket, long pants, sturdy boots, and gloves.

Choose a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards. It should fit you snugly all the way around and be free of obvious defects.

Your horn can be a useful tool if you need to get someone's attention quickly. However, because a motorcycle's horn is not as loud as a car's, other drivers may not notice that you are sounding your horn. You should never rely only on your horn to deal with a hazard.

Your lane position affects a number of factors that are important to your safety on the road. Among other things, your position should help you increase your ability to see and be seen, avoid other drivers' blind spots, and set you up for any turns you plan to make.

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 taking a long trip, be sure to schedule in frequent breaks to rest and try not to ride more than six hours in one day. Wind, cold, and rain can make you tire quickly, so be sure to dress to protect yourself from the elements. Avoid taking artificial stimulants, as the effects when they wear off can be very dangerous.

Because distances are more difficult to judge in the dark than in daylight, be sure to reduce your speed and increase your following distance when riding at night. Use your high beam any time you are not meeting or following another vehicle.

When you are being passed from behind, stay in the center portion of your lane. This will discourage the other driver from re-entering your lane before it is safe.

Your owner's manual should be your primary source for information about your specific motorcycle. Your manual will include information about the motorcycle's specifications, operation, and suggested maintenance.

When being passed, the center portion of the lane is generally the safest lane position for a motorcyclist. Riding on the side nearest the passing vehicle increases the risk of colliding with it. Riding on the side farthest from the passing vehicle can also be dangerous because it may prompt the driver to return to your lane before it is safe to do so.

Always simultaneously use both brakes to stop. The brakes are most effective when used at the same time.

To swerve, apply a small amount of pressure to the handgrip located on the side of your intended direction of escape. To swerve to the left, press the left handgrip, then press the right to recover. To swerve to the right, press the right handgrip, then the left.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield protects your entire face in a crash. Goggles protect your eyes, but not the rest of your face. A windshield is not an adequate substitute for a face shield or goggles.

When being passed, you should not ride on the side of your lane that is farthest from the passing vehicle. Doing so may tempt the driver to return to your lane before there is actually room for them to do so safely.

It is recommended that you frequently check your mirrors to be aware of potential hazards behind you.

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

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.

The front brake of a motorcycle is more powerful than the rear brake. It can provide three-fourths of the bike's total stopping power.

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 be effective, eye protection and face shields must be free of scratches; be resistant to penetration; give a clear view to either side; fasten securely; permit air to pass through; and permit enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses to be worn underneath.

To discourage automobile drivers from trying to share your lane, ride in the center portion of the lane.

Gloves designed for motorcycle riding are usually made of leather. In addition to improving your grip, gloves provide protection for a rider's hands and fingers.

Always look through a turn to where you want to go. Turn only your head to look, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.