[KozmoNau7]

I've been advised against covering the brake at all times, since it reduces throttle control. However I do cover the brake whenever going through intersections, passing driveways and so on. I do this on my bicycle as well, you never know when someone is going to pull out from a driveway without seeing you.

Gear-wise, denim doesn't really do much of anything, aside from providing a marginally useful millimeter of additional abrasion. From having crashed my bicycle often (never had a moto crash, thankfully), I've had severe scrapes underneath denim that looked just mildly scuffed on top. With pressure applied, it can act like sandpaper on your skin. Gear up in proper gear, modern cordura/kevlar gear is comfortable and not that expensive, plus the hip/knee/elbow pads make a big difference in a crash.

I also got the "you're invisible" part drilled into me by every instructor I've had, and it's probably the most important lesson.

On top of that, always look ahead! On a bike you sit at roughly SUV head height, plus you can stand up on the pegs if you need to. Always look ahead, not just at the 2-3 cars in front of you, but as far ahead as you can, scanning for brake lights, traffic clumping together, anything that looks like it could be an issue. I do this when driving a car as well, if people start braking way up ahead, let off the gas and keep an eye on it. I see so many people just charge right into traffic jams and stomp on the brakes, probably because they didn't notice or maybe just didn't care.

Always be smooth on your inputs, but try to also be smooth in traffic.

[mngnt]

>denim doesn't really do much of anything

There is a company that makes denim pants with kevlar inserts and knee&hip pads. While not as good as proper leather outfit, they´re way better than regular jeans and I like the looks better.

https://www.motorcycle.com/products/trilobite-661-parado-jea...