If one of your tires goes flat, hold both handle grips firmly, ease off of the throttle, and maintain a straight course. If you must brake, gradually apply the brake of the tire that is not flat (if you are certain of which tire that is). As you slow down, edge to the side of the road, squeeze the clutch, and stop.

The best way to deal with a tailgater is to get them ahead of you. If you can do so safely, change lanes and let them pass. Speeding up may only increase the danger by encouraging them to continue tailgating you at a higher speed.

More than half of all motorcycle crashes involve riders who have been using their motorcycle for less than six months. Most crashes take place in broad daylight when the riders are traveling at low speeds.

A linked braking system connects the front and rear brakes on a motorcycle. This system applies braking pressure to both brakes when either the front or rear lever is used. Check your owner's manual for a detailed explanation of the braking system on your motorcycle.

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.

Even with three wheels on the ground, a sidecar can tip over if it is being turned too sharply or is moving too fast for a corner.

While a staggered group formation is usually best, it is better to switch to a single-file formation when turning, taking curves, or entering or exiting a highway.

To minimize your chances of being in a crash, you should make yourself as visible as possible by wearing brightly-colored clothing when riding, even during the day.

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.

Because tires have less traction when a motorcycle is leaning than when it is upright, always try to position your motorcycle in an upright position before braking. If you must brake while in a curve, apply the brakes more smoothly and gradually than if your motorcycle was traveling on a straightaway.

The best way to deal with a tailgater is to let them get in front of you. If you can do so safely, change lanes and let the tailgater pass. Riding faster may only increase the danger by prompting them to continue tailgating you at the higher speed.

On a straightaway, you can stop in the shortest distance by using both brakes. Try to avoid locking either brake.

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.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield can help protect your whole face in a crash. While goggles can protect your eyes, they won't protect the rest of your face. A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles.

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

A motorcycle needs to lean in order to turn. To make this happen, press on the handgrip in the direction you want to turn.

Distances are difficult to judge in the dark because visual cues (like shadows and light contrasts) can be missing or distorted. You should allow a longer following distance when riding at night than you do when riding during the day.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on trips that are shorter than five miles in length at speeds slower than 30 mph.

Placing a load too high on a motorcycle will raise the motorcycle's center of gravity and risk upsetting its balance.

Wearing brightly-colored clothing while riding will increase your chances of being seen. Bright oranges, yellows, reds, or greens are best and are preferable to drab or dark colors.

To reduce your risk of being involved in a crash, you should remain alert and ready to react to any hazard. Identify hazards and decide the order in which you need to address the hazards. Always use your headlight to make yourself more visible and maintain an adequate space cushion around your motorcycle at all times.

An expanded cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and another driver may try to squeeze in front of you, open up your following distance.

To maintain directional control through a turn, you should look through the turn by turning only your head. Slow down before turning and lean your motorcycle in the appropriate direction.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. You should vary your lane position in response to changes in riding conditions.

Instead of mechanical turn signals, operators may use hand signals to indicate turns or stops. If an operator's left arm is extended straight out to the left, it means the operator plans to turn left or change lanes to the left.