Always be alert!
 

I just bought my SH yesterday. I was three blocks away after getting the title in my hand and a lady pulled out in front of me and damn near made crash my new bike! All I gotta say is if she woulda hit me, I'd be in jail right now for assault.

Glad to hear your first day on the bike didn't end with you on the side of a car! You never know whats going to happen and like you said you have to "always be alert". That is why I won't ride with a ipod or mp3 player. I just can't focus. I know other guys that do but maybe it doesn't bother them. I want to as William Wallace would say, "Have my wits about me".

Keep the rubber side down!