The hatred for loud pipes is so funny to me. The article listed from Canada Moto Guide purportedly against loud pipes admits exactly the type of attention we seek from motorists when we rock our louder pipes.
"So you may hear a motorcycle approaching, but you won’t really hear much noise until it is next to you or past you."
With a louder pipe, this is precisely what I want. For the persons in the vehicle next to me to be aware of my presence as I pass their blind spot. I want the driver to understand that an object is coming and slowly passing them. They can obviously hear this if my bike doesn't sound like a sewing machine.
The rest of the article asserts that people are using this as some sort of early warning system to alert drivers from some distance. Which is absurd if true.
I've modded my bikes before and made them louder and I do recommend the same for any rider in the GTA, anyone who rides in the city, HWY, and anyone who wants to mitigate their chances of getting sideswiped. The law isn't going to stop some person in an car/SUV/minivan/18wheeler from not noticing you because of their A/C, and rolled up windows/kids/music.
I noticed a drastic difference in drivers noticing me from when I rode stock exhaust, to when I put a slipon. This does not improve personal skill, obviously and that is incumbent upon the user of the bike. All it does is make us a bit louder so the other road users are aware of my immediate presence and location relative to them (which their brains do automatically).
The blitz will be up and running Thursday nights right off lakeshore.. and by the Forks every weekend.. not in the middle of nowhere..
RoyalJordanian on youtube basically says the same thing and he rides in heavy London traffic daily. Some like sewing machines though... AS we can see in this thread