Ride like every single cage out there is on a personal mission to kill you. You'll live longer and become a lot sharper if you do.
You will get cut off or have a close encounter with a vehicle. It's inevitable. No matter how alert you are the cagers out there just aren't accustomed to having motorcycles around.
Wear proper riding gear. Guys I know who've crashed without it have either given up motorcycling, or not ridden again until they've gotten the right gear. Most of those didn't (couldn't) ride for quite some time anyway.
Buy the absolute best protective gear you can possibly afford and wear *all* of it *every* time you ride. If you ever try asphalt surfing, you'll be amazed at how well it really works
Take a course. It helps to get through the levels, and you will learn more then you think.
When stopped at a sign, or light, WATCH YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR. Cars quite often "don't see" stopped bikes, & run them over. If I think a car is coming on too strong, tap your brake light a couple of times, to get their attention. Another thing riders should do when stopping to look at a map, have a smoke, or any other reason, GET WAY OFF THE TRAVELED PORTION OF THE ROAD. Avoid sitting where you can be flattened by the slightest laneshift of a car or truck driver.
Ignore the squids. You'll live longer if you do.
There's riding fast, and then there's riding reckless. Make sure you understand the difference.
Remember you're on two wheel with a total surface contact area of maybe 3-5 square inches. Take care in sandy/gravelly areas, and watch out for all those summer construction works.
Ride at your own pace when riding with others. There can be a temptation to try to push to keep up with the others, which can leave you riding over your head. If they are worth riding with they will wait for you ahead. Do the same for slower riders as well.
If you're currently riding on your own, consider joining a riding club. The collective experience within a club will help smooth your way from newbie rider to more experienced rider.
Develop a good relationship with your local mechanic. Over the years, customer loyalty can pay off in a big way in the guise of good advice, fair pricing and the odd break when you really need one.
Consider a louder horn. The little beeper that comes stock is a joke. An airhorn, on the other hand, well put the Fear Of God into an inattentive cager.
Take care of your ride. Always make sure that your bike is in good mechanical condition. If it's not it can let you down at the wrong time. Learn to do simple things like oil changes and chain lubrication yourself. Saves a lot of money and keeps you in tune with how things are supposed to be on your bike.
It's just as important to make sure *you're* in the best possible condition before every ride. Avoid going out when you're overtired, sick, preoccupied, angry or under the influence of alcohol or any drugs that may affect your ability to concentrate and react to the matters at hand.
Get a good grip how far you can travel fuel wise. Always fill the tank, it doesn't coast that much to fill a bike tank. Keep track of how much you put in at the pumps and how far you are going each time you fill up.
Don't be afraid to explore the backroads to a destination, you will be pleasantly rewarded most times. Look at a good map before hand and where possible stay off the 400 series highways. While on those backroads constantly scan the edges of the road well ahead for wild game ready to scurry across your path and you should be fine.
Make and carry roadside emergency kit.
Get out there and ride as often as you can - Winter comes early!
Never,EVER, give up your motorcycle. Not for relationships, family, friends, jobs, kids, nothin'. When you hear someone saying..."You know, they're so dangerous, maybe you should....." That's when you politely plug your ears, put on your gear, and go for a ride.
