When should you increase your following distance?

Increasing your following distance is important for maintaining safety on the road, particularly when riding with a load or in adverse weather conditions. When you have a load on your motorcycle, it can affect handling, braking distance, and overall maneuverability, requiring more space to react to sudden stops or obstacles. Adverse weather conditions such as rain, ice, or strong winds can significantly reduce traction and visibility, making it crucial to allow more distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This additional space gives you more time to react if the traffic situation changes unexpectedly.

In contrast, sunny weather does not inherently necessitate a longer following distance, as visibility and traction are generally better. While it's wise to adjust your following distance based on speed and traffic conditions, it's not specifically tied to riding faster than normal alone. Finally, deciding to increase following distance "whenever you feel like it" lacks a rational basis, as proper following distance should be influenced by specific scenarios and conditions. Hence, the most logical approach is to adjust your following distance when handling heavier loads or when weather conditions are poor.