- Ensure you have the proper endorsement on your license to operate a motorcycle.

- Ensure your motorcycle registration, state inspection, insurance and base stickers are current.

- Use all the required personal protective equipment: Department of Transportation or Snell Memorial Foundation approved helmet, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt (required) or jacket designed for the motorcycle rider (preferred), full-finger leather gloves, hard-soled shoes with heels that protect the ankle, protective eyewear.

- If the bike has been stored for an extended period of time, prepare for operation using the procedures provided in your owner's manual.

- Before each ride, remember the pre-ride check: lights, horn, tires and wheels, fuel and oil, cables, and suspension. Remember that tire pressure is a critical part of suspension. Inflate to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

- Remember that it has probably been several months since you've ridden your motorcycle. Regardless of your experience, it will be necessary to re-sharpen your physical and mental skills. Start off slowly to practice your riding skills. Use an empty parking lot before to taking to the streets.

- Get considerable solo experience before taking on a passenger, and make sure they wear all the protective equipment and clothing specifically designed for motorcycling. Don't forget their safety briefing. Again, it's a good idea to practice in a parking lot with your passenger until you are comfortable with the critical accident avoidance skills of braking, cornering and swerving.

- Above all, remember that alcohol in any amount, excessive speed and lack of training or experience are each deadly when applied to motorcycling. Combined, they are a sure-fire method of becoming a traffic statistic.