When passing a row of parked cars, the left portion of the lane is generally safest for travel. This position will help you avoid hazards like doors being opened, people stepping out from between the parked cars, and cars pulling out of parking spaces. Always be ready to adjust your lane position to respond to changing road and traffic conditions.

When preparing to pass another vehicle on the left, you should ride in the left portion of your lane.

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.

Georgia law requires riders to wear U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant helmets every time they ride. A helmet is a rider's best defense against head and neck injuries in the event of an accident.

When riding on the road, position yourself in a manner that allows you the most possible space. If there are hazards to your left, ride on the right side of your lane. If there are hazards to you right, ride on the left side of your lane.

In comparison to flat mirrors, convex mirrors provide a wider view of the road behind you. They also make objects seem farther away than they actually are. Take the time to get used to your mirrors if your motorcycle is equipped with convex mirrors.

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.

Before setting out on a ride, you should make sure that your motorcycle's fuel supply valve is open. If the fuel valve is closed, the engine may still start with the fuel that is remaining in the lines from a previous ride, but it will stall once the lines are empty.

To reduce the risk of being involved in a collision, consistently scan your path of travel at least 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your motorcycle. Scanning the road ahead will give you time to react to a hazard before meeting the hazard.

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.

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.

When approaching a blind intersection that is controlled by a stop line or stop sign, you must first stop where indicated. You may then edge forward and stop again just short of where the cross traffic lane meets your lane. From that position, lean your body forward and look around buildings, parked cars, or bushes to see if anything is approaching. Make sure your front wheel stays out of the crossroad while you are looking.

Taking a turn too fast may cause a rider to cross into another lane of traffic, or even leave the road entirely. It is important to slow down before entering a turn or curve.

All curves are different. When taking a curve, choose a lane position that is appropriate for conditions and adjust as needed.

You should do a pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle before every ride. This will usually take only a few minutes.

Because a passenger will place additional weight on your motorcycle, you will probably need to add a few pounds of pressure to your tires before riding. Check your owner's manual for details regarding the appropriate pressure settings to use.

When riding, you should be positioned so that you are able to easily operate all controls. Sit with your arms slightly bent and use your arms to steer rather than to hold up your body. Keep your knees against the gas tank to help maintain your balance during turns.

When parked on the road, a motorcycle should create an angle with the curb that is between 45 and 90 degrees. A wheel or fender should be touching the curb.

While riding in a staggered formation is generally advisable, a group of motorcyclists should switch to a single-file formation when riding in curves, turning, and entering or leaving a highway.

Octagonal signs that are colored red are always stop signs. When approaching one of these signs, you must come to a complete stop, yield to any other traffic or pedestrians, and proceed once it is safe to do so.

While the center strip of the road can be oily, it usually provides enough traction for safe riding, unless it is raining. The oily strip is usually no more than two feet wide, so motorcyclists can generally ride on either side of the strip and still be in the center portion of the lane.

You should never rely on eye contact as an assurance that a driver has seen you. It is not uncommon for a driver to look directly at a motorcyclist and still fail to actually notice them.

Riding directly alongside another vehicle is dangerous because you may be in the vehicle's blind spot and the driver will not know you are there. Additionally, the vehicle may block your route of escape if any hazards should arise.

A motorcycle that is carrying a passenger will handle differently than usual due to the added weight of the additional rider. An operator should ride at slower speeds and allow more time and distance to slow down and stop. A passenger should hold firmly and securely onto the motorcycle's passenger handgrips or onto the operator's waist, hips, or midsection.

If you accidentally lock the rear tire on a good traction surface, leave it locked until you can come to a complete stop. Even with a locked rear wheel, you will be able to control a motorcycle on a surface with good traction as long as the motorcycle is upright and traveling in a straight line.