Because adding a load to a motorcycle increases its weight, the vehicle's inertia may increase, causing its stopping distance to increase. Begin slowing and stopping earlier when riding a motorcycle with a load or passenger in its sidecar.

Most motorcycle crashes occur at speeds lower than 30 miles per hour. Even low-speed crashes can be fatal.

When passing another vehicle on the left, you should ride in the left portion of your lane. Signal your intentions and check for traffic. Pass when it is safe to do so, then signal and return to your original lane when traffic allows.

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.

Motorcycles generally have two brakes, one for the front wheel and one for the rear wheel.

The surest way to avoid the risks of riding under the influence of alcohol is to not ride after you have been drinking. Any amount of alcohol can impair your abilities.

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 riding, sit so that you can use your arms to control the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up. Your arms should be slightly bent when you hold the handgrips. To help maintain your balance, keep your knees against the gas tank and your feet firmly on the footrests.

A following distance of at least four seconds is recommended for beginning riders. Increase your following distance any time conditions are less than perfect.

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.

A child passenger on a motorcycle should always ride immediately behind the operator. A child sitting in front may be unable to balance properly and could interfere with the operator's use of the controls.

Inexperienced riders should ride just behind the leader. This ensures that they won't have to chase after the group, and it allows more experienced riders to keep an eye on them from behind.

The added weight of a passenger in a sidecar will affect the handling of your motorcycle. Expect your motorcycle to require extra space to come to a complete stop.

You can reduce your risk of injury when riding a motorcycle by wearing an approved helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.

There are several advantages to keeping groups of riders small. In comparison to a large group, a small group is easier for other vehicles to pass safely, is less likely to get separated by traffic or stop lights, and creates less need for slower riders to hurry to catch up to the rest of the group.

Because it does not have to be digested, alcohol enters a person's bloodstream quickly and reaches the brain within minutes. It gets eliminated from the body at a relatively slow rate: about one drink per hour.

The gearshift lever of a motorcycle is located in front of the left footrest and is operated by the rider's left foot.

A properly chosen lane position should provide a number of benefits, including an increased ability to see others and to be seen. It should help you avoid wind blasts, other drivers' blind spots, and surface hazards. Your lane position should discourage other drivers from trying to share your lane and provide you with an escape route, should a hazard arise.

Most motorcycle crashes happen in broad daylight. You should always wear brightly-colored clothing when riding to maximize your chances of being seen, even during the day.

In a group of motorcyclists, riders with less experience should be positioned toward the front of the group, just behind the leader. This will allow more experienced riders behind them to keep an eye on them.

To ride safely on a slippery surface, you should use both brakes when slowing or stopping, reduce your speed, and avoid making sudden moves. Be alert to oily areas, dirt, gravel, shaded areas, and bridges, as these surfaces are more likely to be slippery than others.

Do not try to accelerate out of a wobble because doing so will only make the motorcycle more unstable. Instead, grip the handlebars firmly, slow down by gradually closing the throttle, move your weight as far forward and downward as possible, and pull off the road as soon as you can. Avoid applying the brakes, as this may also worsen the wobble.

When taking normal turns, lean at the same angle as your motorcycle. However, in slow, tight turns, you should counterbalance the leaning motorcycle by keeping your body upright.

The best way to handle a tailgater is to change lanes and let them pass you. Speeding up may cause them to tailgate you at a higher speed, only increasing the danger.

The brake light of a motorcycle is usually not as noticeable as the brake lights of a car. Flashing your brake light before slowing or stopping can help other drivers notice that you are about to brake.