Although the general public perceives riding a motorcycle on a crowded highway as just slightly less dangerous than your average game of Russian roulette, the truth is far less intimidating. Highway riding is actually safer than navigating crowded surface streets. But there are a few things to remember that can make your travels even safer. First, stay out of the slow lane and travel a little faster than the flow of traffic. If you're on an eight-lane highway, stick to the two left lanes if possible (like the rider shown here). The farther you are from highway exits and entrances, the less chance you have of being bullied off the road by Last Minute Larry, who likes to exit the highway from the fast lane.
You should continually reposition yourself in the lane to match the flow of traffic, but always end up in the right or left tire track. Oil and coolant that have leaked onto the center of each lane will substantially decrease your braking and handling capabilities during an emergency maneuver. Keep a cushion of space on all sides of your bike and leave plenty of room (two or more seconds) between your bike and the car in front of you. If traffic comes to a sudden stop, keep one eye on your mirrors. If it looks like a car behind you will be unable to stop in time, be ready to get out of the way-even if it means splitting lanes between the cars ahead.
When passing cars, don't linger in the driver's blind spot. Accelerate slightly to put yourself past the vehicle quickly while watching for cars that might be changing lanes in front of the one you're passing. And though it may seem obvious, we see too many riders cruising beside big rigs. This is extremely dangerous, especially in the hot summer months when a common blowout or tread separation from one of their massive tires will separate you from your bike. (This is another good reason to give yourself some distance from the car in front of you; you'll be able to see and avoid debris in the road.) If the car in front of you is sitting beside an 18-wheeler, hang back until you can pass completely.
Most of our close calls on the highway result from a lack of concentration, so a rider must stay focused. Car drivers have stereos, cell phones, children and many other distractions competing for their attention. It is up to the motorcyclist to ensure his own safety by compensating for everyone else's occasional incompetence on the road. Scan far ahead-if traffic is coming to a halt, you should know long before the driver in front of you hits the brakes. Be aware of who is around you, use your signals, shoulder check when changing lanes and cover the front brake lever at all times. If you follow a few basic rules and keep your attention in check, highway travel is not only less stressful, but safer as well.