Thank-you for you anecdotal response. It is good to learn about someone's actual experience and to know that it has been positive (i.e. without problems).

I guess I'm still interested in a more technical answer (but one I can still understand in terms of what I should actual do: put "db killers" back into the Termignoni or not). Thus I'm still wondering if a certain level of back-pressure associated with the smaller opening of the unaltered pipe is required for the engine and its proper performance and life. It seems to me that Termignoni and Ducati must have designed the pipe to specific requirements and I'm wondering if they designed them to allow for the alteration such that there are no ill effects over the lifetime of the bike and the exhaust. Maybe another way of asking it is would Ducati approve of and warranty the removal of the "db killers" on the bike. Maybe I need to contact Ducati or Termignoni?[/quote]