Sorry to hear about the mishap, fdpower.

I unfortunately don't have much to say in regards to the tire (due to lack of enough knowledge), but I'd check the tire pressure and make sure there are no anomalies for assurance. A scratch, unless it's significantly deep shouldn't hinder the tire's ability to maintain its traction though.

'Overthinking' while riding is dangerous. I have had moments when the results were suddenly unexpected, and against my favor while trying to intentionally maneuver the machine. The subconscious works well in most cases, which is what helps us retain confidence; but there are certain things I've noticed that are worth knowing and consciously repeating to make sure we know how we are actually handling the bike and continue remaining safe on the road. Skills like counter-steering and throttle blipping were something I had (and we all do) unconsciously developed and had been doing all the time, but had a hard time understanding how and why I was using those techniques!

Proper throttle control and counter-steering are probably the two most important skills in cornering. Perhaps your riding buddy could have avoided that situation with such techniques if carried out consciously.

RE: the bike size and handling:
Bigger bikes (engine-wise) certainly handle better. You can swerve them faster due to higher power and torque, the larger wheel-base provides enhanced traction, and you typically get better mechanical dynamics such as stronger brakes, thicker rear tires, etc to be on par with the engine size.

Looking forward to hearing more stories of experience and lessons learned!

~@~