My parents live in the country approx 1/2 mile from a fairly busy 2 lane highway and the location of their house would be perfect if not for the fact that Harley-Davidson makes motorcycles. In the evening the sound of all the other traffic on that roadway pales in comparison to that of Harleys. To be fair, some of that distinction is probably due to the fact that a big twin seems to produce a noise signature that [regardless of the reported same DB output claims] carries much further than other types of engine configurations. But also I suspect that a large number of HD riders, because of 'safety' logic or ego or whatever, spent their first extra $400 after purchase on a new set of louder aftermarket pipes. The net effect is that they henceforth serve as 'ambassadors of alienation' for most people. Ducati and Buell riders don't seem to have the same fears or need for special recognition.