They do they've just learned to live with it. Moaning to your mates down the pub helps.

Think you are reading way too much into what is essentially a hobby. Generally speaking the cost of big boys toys is much lower in NA than Europe. Disposable income is higher, storage not usually an issue, places to use or congregate not an issue at all.

Another point which has not been mentioned yet is that Harley's are increasingly popular with women (of a certain age) too. It does all seem to revolve around a social and recaptured youth theme.

No, it just about being a wanker.

One thing I notice on this board, is that there are certain posters, many of whom would like to think of themselves as "cultured" and "intelligent" that immediately resort to name calling when describing things/people that are different to the things/people that they own or with whom they associate.

I don't own or ride a Harley and I have no interest in debating why those that do own or ride Harleys do. I have noticed that there are Harleys that have very loud exhausts and those that have exhausts that are not so loud. But, I believe, grouping them all as "wankers" describes the maker of such an assertion far better than those being described.

In my experience, Harley riders tend to be middle-aged weekend heroes.

Harleys are not cheap, and the accessorizing is just as expensive. It is a hobby, perhaps a harmless enough hobby to those that can afford it, but it is primarily about being 'in a club' with likeminded people.

Imagine if the Harley riders were all teenagers, blipping the throttle and shaking everyone's windows. The only reason people DON'T complain about the ridiculous noise of middle-aged motorcyclists is because it's usually only them that complain about anything in the first place.

Really? Hadn't noticed that.

This is a general rather than an individual observation based on theoretical sampling and is justifiable within qualitative research. A theory developed within a case study may be exported to another whilst providing explanatory theory about other individuals who are in comparable situations. As opposed to an unsophisticated indirect personal attack.

So it's pretty much the same as calling people who own (or have owned) open-top sports cars "hairdressers"?

Given adequate sampling I'd have thought you'd be able quantify that with some accuracy.

It certainly explains why people that drive X5's are twats.

Like this?

Oh right. You're pointing out inconsistency across positions.

To be honest though, back then when people thought I was a wanker, I really preferred it if they called me a "wanker" instead of "hairdresser"

So, if I own a TR6 am I a hairdresser or a wanker? both?

Both