A motorcycle fits you appropriately if your feet comfortably reach the ground while you are seated. Be sure a motorcycle fits you before riding.

When traveling at night, ride more slowly than you would if riding during the day, especially when traveling on an unfamiliar road. Riding more slowly allows you additional time to avoid hazards under conditions of decreased visibility.

Some motorcycles have integrated braking systems that link the front and rear brakes together when the rider applies the rear brake pedal. It is important to consult your owner's manual for details on your specific motorcycle's braking system.

After riding over an object on the roadway, you should pull off the road to check your tires and rims for damage before traveling any farther. Ensure that nothing is caught in the drive chain or belt before proceeding.

Alcohol reaches the brain and begins affecting the drinker's riding abilities within minutes of being consumed. Operating any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is illegal and dangerous.

If your motorcycle begins to weave when riding over grooves or gratings, simply maintain a steady speed and proceed straight across the surface. Trying to compensate for the weave by riding at an angle forces you to zigzag to stay in your lane, which is more dangerous.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield provides protection for your entire face, including your eyes, in the event of a crash. A windshield is not an adequate substitute.

To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time. Scan the road ahead to help you avoid the need for last-minute stops.

While searching the road for potential hazards, focus on looking for escape routes in or around intersections, shopping areas, schools, and construction zones.

Protection should be your first consideration when buying a motorcycle helmet.

In general, the best way for a group of motorcyclists to maintain close ranks while still allowing each rider an adequate space cushion is to ride in a staggered formation.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield can protect your face in the event of a crash. It also provides protection against more routine hazards, such as pebbles thrown up from other vehicles, wind, dust, dirt, rain, and insects.

If you are following a car, the driver is most likely to notice you if you position yourself behind them in the center of your lane. This lane position places you in the driver's rearview mirror. Most drivers check their rearview mirrors much more often than their side mirrors.

In a group, less experienced riders should be positioned toward the front, just behind the leader. This will allow more experienced riders to watch them from behind.

Riding in a staggered formation is the best way to keep group ranks close while maintaining adequate space cushions for each individual rider. Motorcyclists should move into a single-file formation when turning, riding in a curve, or entering or leaving a roadway.

Maintaining a space cushion helps to ensure that you will have enough time to react to the movements of others and enough room to maneuver safely.

Taking frequent rest breaks during a long trip can help reduce fatigue. Stimulants, such as caffeine, can ultimately increase the danger of fatigue because you may become extremely tired when they begin to wear off. Wind, rain, snow, and other elements can also increase levels of fatigue, so dress warmly (as needed) and invest in a windshield, especially if you plan to ride long distances.

Wearing gloves while riding provides an improved grip and help protect your hands. You should use gloves that are full-fingered and made of a durable material.

In most cases, it is safest to ride straight within your lane to cross angled railroad or trolley tracks. Changing the angle of your path to cross tracks may send you into another lane, causing a collision with oncoming traffic.

Ride with extreme caution when approaching an intersection. Cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce your reaction time, if needed.

In South Dakota, anyone operating a motorcycle or moped must use eye protection in the form of glasses, goggles, a face shield, or a windshield. A face shield can provide the best protection for a rider.

Long-term exposure to wind noise can permanently damage your hearing. Using proper ear plugs or other hearing protection when riding is recommended.

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.

Any time a motorcycle is leaning, such as in a turn or curve, there is less traction available for braking. Both brakes may still be used while a motorcycle is turning, but it must be done with great care.

An appropriate lane position can increase your ability to see and be seen. Being properly positioned in a lane can also help you avoid blasts of wind coming off of surrounding vehicles.