The best way to handle tailgaters is to allow them to pass you. If you cannot do this, slow down and open up extra space ahead of you. This will allow space for both you and the tailgater to stop.
Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the road — especially on curves and ramps leading to and from highways. Be aware of what’s on the edge of the road, particularly when making sharp turns and getting on or off freeways at high speeds.
Alcohol and other drugs, more than any other factor, affect your ability to think clearly and to ride safely. As little as one alcoholic drink can have a significant effect on your performance.
Head injuries account for the majority of serious and fatal motorcyclist injuries and, with few exceptions, head injuries are reduced by properly wearing a motorcycle safety helmet.
Carrying a passenger or cargo adds extra weight to the motorcycle. This extra weight changes the way the bike handles, it takes longer to slow down and speed up.
Always use both brakes when slowing down and keep the engine connected with the rear wheel to provide more stability and traction.
Drivers on an entrance ramp may not see you on the highway. Give them plenty of room. Change to another lane if one is open. If there is no room for a lane change, adjust speed to open up space for the merging driver.
To turn, the motorcycle must lean. To lean the motorcycle, press on the hand grip in the direction of the turn. Press left hand-grip — lean left — go left. Press right handgrip lean right — go right. The higher the speed in a turn the greater the lean angle.
If you borrow a motorcycle, get familiar with it in a controlled area. Regardless of your current skill level, rode extra careful on any motorcycle that's new or unfamiliar to you. It takes time to adjust, so give yourself a greater margin for errors.
After the first rider passes safely, the second rider should move up to the left position and watch or a safe chance to pass. After passing, this rider should return to the right position and open up room for the next rider.
Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. Using both brakes for “normal” stops helps you develop the proper habit and skill of using both brakes correctly, which you may need in an emergency.
Ride in position 2 or 3 when traffic traveling from the opposite direction can potentially cross paths with you. This will give you more space to take an evasive maneuver or stop.
Before you change lanes, turn your head, and look to the side for other vehicles. On a road with several lanes, check the far lane and the one next to you. A driver in the distant lane may head for the same space you plan to take.
If the front tire goes flat, the steering will feel heavy. A front-wheel flat is particularly hazardous because it affects your steering. You have to steer well to keep your balance.
Riding closer to the center portion of your lane helps to keep other vehicles from sharing the lane. This is known as lane position 2.
Most collisions involve riders who underbrake the front tire, overbrake the rear and who did not separate braking from swerving or did not choose to swerve when it was appropriate.
Over one-half of motorcycle/car crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider’s right-of-way. Cars that turn left in front of you, including cars turning left from the lane to your right, and cars on side streets that pull into your lane, are the biggest dangers.
To operate the throttle, hold the handgrips firmly to keep your grip over rough services. Start with your right wrist flat. This will help you keep from accidentally using too much throttle.
