Safety Freak?

[HondaHater]

Hi all.   Some questions and concerns from a newbie.

Could having a perfect driving record make you a better rider? 
Over the years I noticed I've been doing things a little differently behind the wheel which have been helpful in making my 25 years driving without so much as a fender bender. 
For example at intersections, instead of just looking to make sure it's clear...I actually look for something.  I look for a pigeon, this way anything larger than that is automatically visible.  Yes I know this sounds funny but it works.  I never want to say to someone "sorry I didn't see you".

How do you balance concentrating on the road and site seeing?
Even on 4 wheels I find it tough to give other than 100% to the task of driving. 

[scratch]

Could having a perfect driving record make you a better rider?

No.  What you don't know, you may never know.  However, your experiences as a car driver can definitley help you, in regards to knowing your area, knowing traffic patterns, knowing the local driving customs and general attitudes of the people around you.

For example at intersections, instead of just looking to make sure it's clear...I actually look for something.  I look for a pigeon, this way anything larger than that is automatically visible.  Yes I know this sounds funny but it works.  I never want to say to someone "sorry I didn't see you".

Can't argue if it works. 

How do you balance concentrating on the road and site seeing?
Even on 4 wheels I find it tough to give other than 100% to the task of driving. 

You really want an answer?

I wait til there's very little traffic in front, none to either side of me, so I don't drift into somebody.  Driving a little slower helps (making sure that there's no one behind me).  No parked cars, residential areas, straight road...but, usually I let my passengers be the sightseers...I'm driving (but I sneek a peek when I can).

[RVertigo]

When I'm riding I only sightsee for things in, on, and around the road:  cars, trucks, bikes, potholes, cracks, tar snakes, oil, garbage, hub caps, animals, rocks, etc...

[natedawg120]

ditto here.  I peek if the sight takes no head rotation to view.  I get glipses of everything but if i really want to see it or stop and help someone i do just that, pull over, stop, and take it in.