Originally Posted by CptjohnC

Let me get this straight: You drive a car, but the 'fumes' of a motorcycle bother you? Given that most modern bikes are constructed to reasonably similar emissions standards as cars, this seems more than a bit irrational. The noise issue is specific to certain bikes (listen to a BMW K-series bike next to many cars... it isn't louder).

As to OP: There have been several times in my life when I have, because of circumstances (limited access to cars, mostly), been forced to limit my driving of cars for some period. For about 8 months during college, the only things I drove were my bike and a 35 foot long transit bus. My first trip driving a regular passenger car was a bit disconcerting -- I felt really short and nimble compared to the bus. For about 6 months, I had only a motorcycle, and the return to the car that time was okay. My worst transition by far, though, did not involve 'not driving' but involved driving in a completely different setting -- Haiti. There were no observed rules of the road, incredible congestion in Port au Prince, and enormous numbers of distractions (for me, at least). My return to civilization was pretty weird -- having to remember to obey lane markings, stay on 'my side' of the street, not just make a hole wherever I could... Quite an adjustment.

If you're really worried about it, though, drive more -- you'll get more used to the behavior of others. You might not like it any better, but at least you'll be more 'comfortable' with it -- for good or ill.

I will say that as a recent returnee to cycling, it has made me a much more observant and courteous driver, in part because I notice stuff while I'm on the bikes that I almost never noticed while in my cages.