Stereo systems are like Harleys

Concur in general with the assessment of the biker atmosphere.

I think the impediment to better relations here is that contra the bike rally, no one has an absolute grip on the system performance someone else has built. It must be discussed. In doing so, the vagaries of perception tend to conflict, people "think" differently regarding their opinion of the performance, which they tend to hold absolutely, and you have a conflict forming.

I have seen a much less contentious attitude at shows usually, where people discuss systems in a more jovial mood and much like the bike events. Online seems to be an issue. The quality of communication of the written word is so much lower than in person discussion.

An interesting aspect of having two distinctly different bikes; when I ride the sporty bike I get less "hello" waves from cruisers, and when I ride the cruiser, I get less acknowledgement from the sporty bikers. It seems that it takes dismounting the bike for some to be more friendly. Perhaps a situation not unlike the online/show dichotomy? :)

One day a Cary V12R power amp, sprung a leak overnight.
Sure reminded me of the old Harleys.  They use to mark their spot with the old chain oilers. This guy did the same.. Cracked me up.. It was the first thing I though of.. Harley 45 flathead, stick shift, foot clutch.

I hated that thing when I was a kid... I wound up on the wrong side of that thing a few times, trying to get it started and get to school. My mother use to pull start me..Behind a 68 Ford Torino, when it was cold. Yup.. I have pictures of her (my Mom and her sister) riding an old Indian Chief delivering mail during WWII in Texas..

I was raised around bikes.. I haven't ridden in years.. I've fixed a few though.. V8ed a couple through the years too.. :-)

Regards

treynolds155 , You have a Harley? Lets see a picture. 

 I posted a picture of mine on my system page. 
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/6395

I have owned Harleys since the late 1970's. I have owned Audio Research gear since the late 1980's.

I've had a bike on and off for 35 years, my last was a Dynaglide that had for over 10 years but sold it just over a year ago. I'm eying a Sport Glide now. Nice looking Softail, love the springer front end. 

So you guys get the whole Harley/stereo thing. Everyone is unique and that's what makes it so cool!!

Audio Research gear is on my bucket list, mid to late 80s I was into Threshold and Theta. 

My sound systems have never marked their spot, or enjoyed riding in the back of a pick-up, as did my dogs and '53 Pan (on rare occasion).                                                                Nor have I ever seen a shirt, proclaiming, "I Own An Accurate Sound System, NOT Just a T-shirt!"                                                                                                                                          One similarity: If anyone had to ask WHY I own either: they (obviously) wouldn't understand!