Well here it goes. I started riding rice rockets at a young age.We put on the race pipes as the first mod we did (of course the mandated re-jetting).They were loud and when the RPM's got up there they were plain offensive.Then with the hot rod cars with Hookers and free flowing mufflers then to my 89 Mustang GT with no cats and Flowmasters.Never once really looking for performance but just the sweet note of the exhaust tone.Then I got my OCD,Harley Davidson.I thought it was mandatory to go with straight drags,louder equals better and badder.You would see some actually hear first some jackass riding by with a Sporty with those 1 1/4 inch drags wailling but looked like he was in slow motion. Noisy as hell slow as f@@k.As I matured a bit more I started to putt putt through my neighborhood because I didn't want cops posted at the corner waiting for me when I got home ,possibly with a couple too many pops in me.Then all the holiday weekends local cops in all the hot biker areas would have 3 or 4 cops just out there to enforce loud pipes and would have road blocks set up for just that reason. I got sick and tired of getting yanked over,ticketed and having to get the bike re-inspected.That means swapping out the drags for stockers ,leaving work early ,inspecting then swap back.I since sold that bike and now own my 02 SERK.I put on the Rineharts but I WILL keep the baffles in.I will no longer look over my shoulder every time I pass a cop to see if he's pulling out after me.As for your riding buddies in group rides.I was that azzhole who would fly up on your left a gear to low and shake the loose skin on your neck.It got to the point that I had to be in front(where I like it) or the last bike in the pack(the one who has to blow every damn red light).I'm now a changed man .I ride because I enjoy it and I want to keep it that way.If you want loud pipes and your mantra to concerned neighbors and authorities is to get ear plugs or hide in the basement then maybe shame on you.You'll be the one when federal mandates make you put those Electrolux size cans on your scoot for a muffler and cry about it.So lets be a little more understanding of others and maybe they will give us a little more understanding.Thats my 2 cents.Later,Q