Personally, when I see a motorcyclist (lunatics, IMO, but it takes all kinds) I get as far away from them and give them the widest berth possible. Occasionally unpredictable drivers (especially the young guys), but mostly because even the slightest love tap from me in my 2 tons of steel, glass and rubber is likely to maim or kill someone. Wouldn't want that on my conscience.
We lunatics
appreciate that. I wish driving schools could make all their students drive 1) a scooter, motorcycle, or moped, to experience how vulnerable they are, and 2) a large, heavy truck, to experience how hard it is to stop when a car pulls out in front or changes lanes into the "buffer space" in front of the truck at a red light.
This thread reminded me of a folk song by Bill Morrissey called "Car and Driver":
I’ve got a Mercedes Benz with M.D. plates,
I have no trouble finding dates.
I’ve got a 1980 Subaru,
one more semester, then I’m through.
A slant-six Dodge is no big thrill,
but it’s a car no atom bomb can kill.
I make a lot of dough in a high-tech job,
yah sure, you bet, I drive a turbo Saab.
Chorus:
I’ll bet you a ten, even a fiver,
you find a car, I’ll find the driver.
It really ain’t-a no big deal
to know who’s inside that automobile.
Well I’ve just airbrushed my Econoline,
“A friend of the devil is a friend of mine.”
I’ve got a 1962 Biscayne,
it won’t start if it looks like rain.
A four-wheel drive with extra chrome,
I keep it on the paved roads close to home.
A Cadillac the size of an Amtrak Train,
when I drive I take two lanes.
(chorus)
Now my Honda Civic is a real go-getter,
I look great in it in my crewneck sweater.
And my BMW draws applause,
I am not bound by traffic laws.
I got a Ranger truck, I’m for import quotas;
I won’t park next to no Toyotas.
And my Volvo wagon will seat six,
it can run on diesel or trail mix.
(chorus)