Mirrors only give a partial view of the road; there are blind spots even with motorcycles. It is important to perform a shoulder check before changing lanes, even if the mirror suggests the lane is clear.

Mirrors give a strong general idea of the situation on the road, but they do not provide an image of the road that is 100% accurate. All vehicles, including motorcycles, have blind spots, so it is important to always perform a shoulder check before changing lanes.

Maintain a firm grip on the handlebars. Reduce speed by closing the throttle. Do not apply the brakes, since that only makes the motorcycle more difficult to control. Never increase speed when the motorcycle is wobbling.

Applying the brakes too hard and too fast can cause the wheels to lock. Threshold braking is a way to stop quickly without causing the wheels to lock. It involves applying both brakes at the same time, then quickly releasing before the point where the wheels lock up, then quickly repeating the process to enable the motorcycle to quickly and safely stop without locking the wheels.

Placing the helmet on the ground near the bike is a universal signal to alert other drivers that help is needed.

Railway crossings are potentially hazardous due to the fact that trains travel much faster than they seem, and cannot stop quickly. It can take 2 km or more for a train to stop even when brakes are fully applied. Never depend on a train to be able to stop on time to avoid you, and drive on only once the train has passed. Other hazards at railway crossings may include having to stop for other vehicles, and the loss of traction which can occur because train tracks are slippery at all times, and more so when they are wet.

If a stop must be made during a turn, it is important to use both brakes. Remember to use all fingers to pull in the clutch and the front brakes so that there are no shudders and shakes. Downshifting can sometimes be used as an alternative as well.

To ensure safety, always stop a good distance - 5 metres at least - from the train tracks when the barrier is down and/or the lights are flashing. Motorcyclists should never attempt to cross around or under gates that have been lowered for an approaching train. Motorcyclists must drive on only after the gates have been raised and it is safe to do so.

It is dangerous to ignore other drivers or allow them to share a lane with the motorcycle. Maintaining proper blocking position is the most reliable method of discouraging other drivers from trying to share lanes. When driving in the right lane the blocking position is the left tire track under normal conditions; when driving in the left lane, the blocking position is normally the right tire track. It is unsafe to drive in the centre lane because there is no effective blocking position.

It is essential to maintain a proper road position to stay safe on the road.