Very well written there sir, I'm a new xbhpian, went through the WHOLE yamaha yzf r15 ownership thread as I may own one in the near future (hoping), before reading Hard Torque.. and this is my first comment after all that reading because I could really Get what you were saying, and just had to say something.
I don't want to boast or anything but I've never had a single accident while riding my bike for 5 years till now (TOUCH WOOD I won't have one now either!) in Hyderabad.. I have learnt to account for the small things concerning safety and road traffic etiquette other drivers/riders overlook either by negligence or impatience.. Ppl say I'm a cautious rider! (But I do ride fast when I know its safe)
Anyway.. xbhp is a GREAT place for guys like me, who just likes randomly getting up at dawn, donning on a jacket, helmet, shoes etc and going off for a long ride in the ring roads just because of the feeling of freedom it inspires! I love biking (not saying im a biker, but I definitely would want to become one, in the Truest sense!) and I love xbhp!