How far behind traffic should you be?
What is the proper trailing distance when riding a motorcycle? Simple, as much as you can get. You'll hear things like one car link for every ten miles per hour you are traveling or two car lengths, etc. How can you set a blanket trailing distance when there are many factors that contribute to stopping? You have your reaction time, the motorcycle's reaction time from the time you react, motorcycle weight, brakes, tires, road surface, etc. A 400 lb. motorcycle with ABS and dual six piston caliper brakes and wider tires will stop quicker than an 800 lb. bike with a single one piston brake caliper and smaller tires. A situation bike A could avoid might very well be catastrophic for bike B.
But if you want a decent figure, I would say a football field length for trailing behind traffic. The reality is you probably won't get this because of vehicles cutting in front of you and taking your space but this at least gives you a starting point because you may not always have an out and it prevents you from making quick stops giving traffic behind you time to react and stop too. I always make it a habit to check my mirrors any time I go to stop just to see what is traffic doing behind me.
Have fun, be safe.
The rule of thumb is 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. That will be close at 10 mph and somewhat farther (a lot farther) at 70 mph. Don't forget the three factors affecting braking: Realization, reaction, and THEN the motorcycle's stopping power. Everyone's realization and reaction is different; especially between young riders and older riders like me. I know my reaction time is probably diminished over the years (decades) so I'll give 3 or even 4 seconds between me and that vehicle ahead.
Pretty much every motorcycle is capable of doing a 1G deceleration to a stop. But not everyone can do it. It must be practiced.
Regarding looking in your mirrors or turning your head and looking back, that takes…