I agree it's the wrong mentality but remember most people don't think of the gun like those of us on here talking about it daily or even weekly. Many people get it and just carry it "as a talisman", it may have been a LCP or something similarly small and light that would disappear in a heavy leather jacket and just lived in there.
Have never been in the situation to need to put it into practice but that's the #1 thing in a situation with a bike: either get on it and ride off or get off and away because it's several hundred lbs with some very hot parts, very tippable, and too small for cover.
Looking back at stories of the time, they had come to a stop because of backed up traffic on the freeway, and the SUV was angled to impede forward progress. It's been a long time since I was on a motorcycle, but I don't think I would stay on the bike to deal with some angry somebody walking up on me.
Have never been in the situation to need to put it into practice but that's the #1 thing in a situation with a bike: either get on it and ride off or get off and away because it's several hundred lbs with some very hot parts, very tippable, and too small for cover.