When taking a long trip, be sure to schedule in frequent breaks to rest and try not to ride more than six hours in one day. Wind, cold, and rain can make you tire quickly, so be sure to dress to protect yourself from the elements. Avoid taking artificial stimulants, as the effects when they wear off can be very dangerous.

When turning, look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

When riding on a slippery surface, it is safest to decrease your speed. Making sudden moves on a slippery surface could cause your motorcycle to skid. Do not travel on the shoulder to escape a slippery road.

Adjust your mirrors so you can see the lane behind you and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder, but it’s the road behind you and to the side of you that is most important.

The front brake is safe to use as long as it is used properly. The front brake of a motorcycle is more powerful than the rear brake, providing at least three-fourths of the total stopping power.

While a staggered formation is generally recommended, riders in a group should move into a single-file formation when taking curves, taking turns, entering a highway, or leaving a highway.

It is possible to brake while turning, but it should be done with great care. When a motorcycle is leaning to turn, there is less traction available for stopping because some of the traction is being used for turning.

For maximum straight-line braking, you should apply the brakes smoothly and firmly. As more weight transfers forward, more will be more traction available at the front wheel, allowing you to apply the front brake with progressively increasing force while reducing the pressure being used on the rear brake. Keep your knees against the gas tank and your eyes up to help keep yourself moving in a straight line.

The clutch lever of a motorcycle is generally located on the left handgrip. Be familiar with the locations of all controls before beginning to ride a motorcycle.

Under normal conditions, you should maintain a following distance of at least two seconds. Increase your following distance any time conditions are less than perfect.

Do everything you safely can to avoid hitting an animal in the road. If you are in traffic, however, you should remain in your lane. Swerving into another lane of traffic to avoid hitting an animal can cause you to collide with another driver. Hitting something small is less dangerous than hitting something big.

Intersections can be dangerous because they present the greatest degree of potential conflict between motorcyclists and other drivers.

Any approved helmet will allow a rider to see as far to the sides as is necessary for safe riding. Approved helmets will have labels and markings providing the manufacturer's name, relevant information and instructions, and information about the standards the helmet meets.

To reduce the danger of fatigue when riding, dress to protect yourself against tiring weather conditions, such as wind and rain. Limit yourself to no more than about six hours of riding per day and stop for a break at least once every two hours. Avoid taking artificial stimulants since you may experience extreme fatigue when they start to wear off.

When riding, you should securely tuck in the laces of your footwear so that they will not catch on your motorcycle.

If you cannot avoid riding over an obstacle, you should approach it at as close to a 90-degree angle as possible. Slow down, make sure your motorcycle is straight, rise slightly off of your seat, and roll on the throttle just before contact.

Always look through a turn to where you want to go. Turn only your head to look, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

You should not carry a passenger unless your motorcycle has a seat that is large enough for two riders. The motorcycle should be equipped with footrests for the passenger. Your passenger should wear the same kind of protective gear that is recommended to operators.

While riding in a staggered formation is usually best for a group of two-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motorcycles are too wide to allow this formation. A group of riders on three-wheeled motorcycles should travel in a single-file line.

If one of your tires goes flat while you are riding, you should ease off the throttle and maintain a straight course as you slow down. If you must brake, gradually apply the brake of the tire that is not flat, if you are certain of which tire that is.

In the state of Kentucky, a person with a minimum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent is considered legally intoxicated. It is both illegal and dangerous to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

The right clothing can provide vital protection if you are involved in a collision. Always wear a jacket and pants that fully cover your arms and legs, even in warm weather. Clothing should fit snugly enough that it does not flap in the wind but should also be loose enough that your movement is not restricted.

All passes must be completed within the posted speed limits and only in areas where passing is permitted.

For your protection while riding, it is best to wear a jacket and pants that cover your arms and legs completely. Boots or shoes should be tall and sturdy enough to cover and support your ankles. Footwear should have low heels that will not catch on the foot pegs or rough road surfaces. Gloves made of leather or another durable material will help protect your hands in the event of a crash while providing you with an improved grip on the controls.

When making a turn, you should look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.