Everyone should know I'm big on motorcycle safety, more so than your average person LOL
I think a thread should be started to provide small motorcycle safety tips that you don't normally get from Rider Safe courses or what would be 'common knowledge', like "don't speed". I'm not going to point out the obvious ones, I'll post up some tips that take years to 'discover' for yourself, so feel free to contribute some USEFUL tips.
I'll start off then ...
1. Scan, scan, scan ... and then scan some more. Be alert and check not just your mirrors, but the mirrors on other cars. If you can see them, they can see you.
2. Going for that blast thru the hills/country and you're new to the road? Country roads can be twisty and riders can get caught out. No idea where that blind corner goes or how sharp it may be? Firstly, slow down, then check for indicators like powerlines or trees that follow the road. They'll give you an idea of how sharp the corner is, and where the next corner after that is.
3. Position yourself on the road to be seen and also to give yourself an escape route at any given time.
4. Do track days. Learn your bike and yourself. Discover the smallest flaw in your bike and your riding. Remember, the ambulance is 30 seconds away if you get it wrong, not 30 minutes away like out on the street.