I agree with all that you've posted. Gutting or removing the "cats" would probably not result in a big performance gain and I'd bet a bunch of $$$ that the bike's "computer" would have a fit. But, while I like a quiet bike, I would like to hear something back there. The darned exhaust note is so quiet that I hear nothing above 30 MPH. My Indian, which has stock exhaust is much louder than the BMW R18. I was thinking that uncorking the cats would result in a small improvement in exhaust note.I am an old BMW rider. I like quiet bikes.
David