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

To safely ride on a slippery surface, you should reduce your speed, avoid making sudden movements, and use both brakes if you need to brake.

Oily drippings from cars and trucks collect in a strip in the center portion of a lane. This strip usually still provides enough traction for motorcyclists to operate safely, except when the road is wet. The strip is usually narrow enough that you can ride to its side and still be in the center portion of the lane.

To increase your visibility, you can wear clothing that is brightly-colored or that contains reflective materials. Adding auxiliary lights to your motorcycle, using your turn signals, and flashing your brake light when appropriate are also good ways to get the attention of other road users.

To reduce the risk of fatigue on a long trip, dress to protect yourself from tiring elements, such as wind, cold, and rain. Limit yourself to no more than six hours of riding per day and take rest brakes at least every two hours. Avoid using artificial stimulants, as these only result in extreme fatigue when they wear off.

Unlike drivers of larger vehicles, a motorcyclist has three lane position options in their travel lane. The rider should select whichever position is safest based on road and traffic conditions.

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.

You can achieve maximum stopping power by using both the front and rear brakes. You should use both brakes every time you slow or stop.

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.

Alcohol is a depressant. It slows down and impairs bodily functions, both physical and mental.

You should transport a passenger only if your motorcycle is appropriately equipped and adjusted to do so. Among other things, your motorcycle should have separate footrests for the passenger and a seat that is large enough for more than one person to sit comfortably. You may need to adjust your headlight, tire pressure, and suspension to accommodate the extra weight of a passenger.

While a staggered formation is usually best for group riding, a group should switch into a single-file formation when taking curves, turning, or entering or exiting a highway.

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.

Always use both brakes any time you slow or stop. It is safe to use the front brake, which is more powerful than the rear brake, as long as you use it properly.

If you must brake and swerve to avoid a hazard, you should perform both actions separately. Brake then swerve, or swerve then brake. Do not do both at the same time.

To ensure that a helmet will provide you with as much protection as possible, check to see if it meets U.S. DOT and state standards; fits snugly all the way around your head; and has no obvious defects, such as cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps.

Before beginning a ride, you should ask your passenger to mount the motorcycle only after the engine has been started. They should sit as far forward as they can without crowding you and hold onto the motorcycle's passenger handholds or onto your waist, hips, or belt. They should keep their legs away from the muffler, chains, and other moving parts.

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.

Instead of mechanical turn signals, operators may use hand signals to indicate turns or stops. If an operator's left arm is bent at the elbow and pointing upward, it means the operator plans to turn right or change lanes to the right.

There is no lane position that is always best and no lane position that should always be avoided. Select a lane position that is appropriate for riding conditions.