Ok, please remember, I was asked for my input on this.
I have seen no difference in noise output, nor dampening between packing vs no packing. The ONLY reason the factory added the packing was to attempt to dampen adverse harmonics in the exhaust system, that were found to not actually exist in stock exhaust pipes/baffles.
In AMA noise testing on stock bikes being raced, the dB difference between packed and bare baffles was literally undetectable.
To have been the help it is touted to be, and not just the oily mess of a pain it really is, the packing would need to cover the entire length of the baffle, and we all know it doesn't.
The only reason a silencer for an expansion chamber is wrapped it's full length is those center pressure relief tubes known as silencers are fully hollow, and even packed, are still a full on stinger tube. A stock baffle, as shown above, is a true labyrinth, not fully open as the chamber silencer is, which both quiets and dampens effectively without the packing. Exhaust gasses in stock pipes/baffles are diverted into and out of quieting/damping cavities along their travels out the exhaust pipes.
The most important thing is, do you want to use the packing? If yes, go for it, if not, go for it. I also see NO difference between the expensive water heater blanket filler packaged as special, or, the filler from a much lower cost water heater blanket purchased from Home Depot, except the price, none. From my experience, the only things the packing becomes, and does, is become an oily, dirty mess, and plug up holes in the baffle with all that goo.
Edit: I sure dislike the spell checker on my SMART phone, it just doesn't spell stuff the way I want it to.
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