Very valid point indeed. I average one close call every couple of days ridsing thru town on the way to work. Not even intersections just people flying out of stores into traffic nearly t boning me.

Also I think loud pipes alert the deer lurking along the road at nite.

Its almost a quiet versus safety issue. On one hand I prefer quite but on the other hand the loud pipes definatley do let people know you're near even if they cannot see you.

I may ride the perfectly good and new stock pipes the first 2-3 years and swap out to the V&H high out put headers and slip ons and use the SE racing super tuner to dial it in.

For the deer you can get a couple of those whistles that attach to the bike, for the knuckleheads that don't "see" you no matter what you try disco balls - led's - neon - pulse beam- without that sound they will never know you are there.

Be super careful in parking lots I've learned no matter what you have they don't see you.

Yeah I ride like they are out to get me. Preferring cautious and slower manuevering in trafficky area. I see other riders ripping and roaring and I suppose I did that too when I was younger.

"There are old bikers and there are bold bikers but there aren't any old and bold bikers".

Old bikers that were once bold bikers and now know better. I still rip and roar but only when I have a really good grip on reality.