The more weight being carried by a motorcycle, the more time the motorcycle takes to accelerate and decelerate. Your motorcycle will respond to your commands more slowly when carrying a passenger than it will when you are the only person on the bike.

It is important to maintain a cushion of space around your motorcycle at all times. This way, if a hazard arises, you will have more time to respond to the hazard and more space to safely maneuver.

Passing must be completed within posted speed limits. Only pass another vehicle where it is safe and legal to do so.

Check your clutch and throttle before riding your motorcycle. The throttle should snap back when you let go and the clutch should feel tight and smooth.

To get the best possible protection, choose a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards. It should fit snugly all the way around and be free of obvious defects, like cracks, loose padding, and frayed straps.

Roads become slippery when it first starts raining, especially in the center strip of a lane. When rain starts, it is generally safest to ride in the tire tracks left by other vehicles. The left tire track is often best.

Signs that are blue with white markings indicate the locations of services. These services may include rest areas, gas stations, food options, and hospitals.

To remain aware of your surroundings, it is not enough to rely only on your mirrors. Motorcycles have blind spots just like any other vehicle.

If your motorcycle begins to weave while you are traveling over bridge gratings, you should simply maintain a steady speed and proceed straight across the surface. Trying to stay in your lane while riding in a zigzagging motion is dangerous.

As your motorcycle accelerates, you will need to shift into a higher gear.

When traveling in a group, less experienced riders should be placed near the front of the group behind the leader. This way, more experienced riders can lead the way and watch the inexperienced riders at the same time.

Every bike is a little different, so don't start riding an unfamiliar motorcycle without first familiarizing yourself with how it operates. Do a safety and maintenance check; find out where everything is located; and work the throttle, clutch, and brakes a few times to learn its gear pattern.

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.

Most motorcycle crashes take place in broad daylight. You should always wear brightly-colored clothing to increase your visibility while riding, even during the day.

It is almost always more difficult to judge distances when traveling in the dark than it is when traveling in daylight. Shadows and light contrasts are important cues to the distance of an object. When you must rely on artificial lighting to see the roadway at night, natural contrasts and shadows may be distorted or entirely absent.

A solid yellow traffic light warns that the signal is about to change to red. You must slow and come to a stop before the intersection if it is safe to do so. If you are already within the intersection when the light turns yellow, continue through the intersection.

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.

The single most effective thing you can do to help others see your motorcycle is ride with your headlight on at all times.

Wearing a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant helmet can help protect you against head and neck injuries in the event of a crash. A jacket made of leather or sturdy synthetic material can also protect you against injuries.

Motorcycles often seem to attract dogs. If you are being chased by a dog, downshift and approach it slowly. Then, as you approach the dog, accelerate and leave it behind.

You should increase your following distance if it will take your motorcycle longer than normal to stop, if you can't see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and other vehicles are likely to try to squeeze in front of you.

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.

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

On a two-lane road, a group of motorcyclists should pass another vehicle one at a time. Each motorcyclist should complete the pass before another begins to pass.

When passing a row of parked vehicles to your right, you may ride in the left portion of your lane. This way, you can more easily avoid opening doors, drivers getting out of vehicles, or people stepping out from between vehicles. Only ride in the left portion of the lane if there is no oncoming traffic.