Off Topic too, sorry, in AZ I live where there is 45-90 miles of flat straight roads to get to interesting rides. I envy you that nice day and to be there in Deals gap w/o traffic must be heaven! I am with out m/c here now as I rode my F650GS that was a desert ride back East last spring. I gotta deal for a 250-400 real dirt bike w/registration.
You are right about the driving ability. I think in NH we have so many bikes that drivers do see you unlike where m/cs are occasionally seen. It's an issue of attention more than anything else I believe, stereo blaring, gps directing, cruise on, phone calls even hands free, display changing, etc. all use a bit of our brain. Inside my helmet its just me, the bike and the road, kinda like a wwII jet pilot doing strafing runs low and fast, big banking turns and the brain focused like a laser.