I will not ride without earplugs. Its the wind noise more than the pipes causing most folks problems. Try a set of the dense foam plugs. You can still hear what you need to hear, but no ringing after you get home. Protects your hearing for sure.
I agree. The wind noise gives me a headache after 5 miles down the road. I've been wearing earplugs for the last 10 years. Its quiet for me but still have the pipes so people can hear me coming down the road. Best of both worlds.
When my oldest son and I traded for Harleys years ago, he put louder pipes on his. I declined until he said "if it's too loud, you're too old." That kinda pissed me off, so I've put loud pipe on every HD I've had since... Except the last one, a 2011 RKC. I did chose to put SE touring slip-ons and am pleased. Just enough rumble for me to know I'm riding a Harley and not some Honda.