After not riding for about 30 years, I bought a 1200 custom. Being a retired State Trooper from Ohio, I was thinking how long would it be, before someone pulled out in front of me? Well, it already happened. A woman was pulling out of a cemetery, of all places. I was coming down a slight hill and she had good visibility to see me coming. I just had the feeling she was going to come right on out and she did. The oncoming lane wasclear and I went around her andblew the horn. She hit the brakes and obviously didn't know I was there.
As a Trooper, I would have to say that at least 80% of the motorcycle crashes I investigated, were failure to yield from a stop sign or driveway. Then probably 10% were driving under the influence followed by 10% of rider inexperience.
Enjoy the ride, but anticipate other drivers actions and leave yourself an out. ALWAYS assume a vehicle is going to turn left in from of you or pull out from a stop sign. Don't be paranoid, just think ahead.

Bill

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"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken"
Honda 50 1969?
Honda 70
Suzuki 250
Kaw 500
Wife left, got my Harley!

All true. Another problem that I read about often is a driver turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. They always seem to say that they did not see the bike.

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[sigpic]http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...msmallsize.jpg[sigpic]
2007 FLHRS
1996 FXSTC

or when you are making a left hand turn waiting for traffic and the vehicle behind you.....

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2008 Black Pearl Fat Bob

You have to ride like everyone is out to kill you. I ride quite a bit 10-12k a year. I have had countless episodes of people not seeing me. You have to be aware of your surroundings, every direction. Be ready to get out of the way. Louder pipes seem to help also, they make people and animals know you're around. I also have my headlight raised a little. It might annoy other drivers sometimes but I don't seem to mind.

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Don't sweat the petty things, pet the sweaty things.