I've also had cars INTENTIONALLY know I was there and not care about hitting me if I didn't get out of their way.
That's why when I bought my last motorcycle (Yamaha FJR1300),
besides being suited for everything from driving across town to across the country,
it was IMPORTANT that it:
1. handle well,
2. stop quickly
3. accelerate quickly.
Concentrating too much on buying a motorcycle that just looks cool and sounds cool can get you run over by some *sshole, when you can't get out of their way fast enough.
But, on a serious note I hate cars, I ride my bike to work every day and the only time I feel safe is when I am in the building. People don't care and lets face it cars win almost every time. Saw an example of this this morning in Franklin, a good sized bagger under a Miller Beer semi. Sad Sad Sad.
To the jackass in the volvo wagon @135 and Smith Valley yesterday around 4:00 p.m. I know you saw me as you turned left across my lane of traffic, AGAINST THE LIGHT, because you and your young daughter were both looking right at me as you cut in front of me on my bike. I managed to swerve out of the way missing your car by about 2'. I hope I gave you a little discomfort in having to explain to your young daughter just what exactly the gesture that I made to both you AND HER meant. ASSBAG!!!
I called this same message into "Let it Out", but somehow I don't think it'll get printed.
O.k, I feel better now. . .
It's not as bad as everyone makes it sound.
I've only had one close call, and it wasn't a big deal. Getting out of the way of a big slow car isn't that hard.
As long as you always have a "bailout" plan in your head, and remain alert, avoiding the normal traffic is pretty easy.
Most motorcyclists create their own problems by riding too fast, or too close, or in blind spots. Some things can't be avoided, but those are few and far between.
Also, if you get outside of the metro area even a little, riding becomes much more enjoyable.
The worst places to ride are 4 lane streets in Indy during rush hour, around construction. Interstate, not so bad, 2 lanes, not so bad, 4 lane rural or even suburban highways aren't that bad either.
I ride all over hendricks county and most of Morgan, Monroe, and Marion, and the only place I really have issue is Washington St. on far west side. So I just avoid it when I can.