You loose the center stand with the Cobras too. I drilled out the stock baffles on my stock system to get a more v-8 rumble. I love how the stock system looks.
My '93 is bone stock save for needle shims & a T-Boost.
I beat: A M109, Triumph Farm Tractor Rocket III, A bunch of Harleys, Katana 1000. I recently laid waste to a 600hp EVO too.
These were rolling start races to about 125mph or so.
I would make sure the steering head bearings are adjusted properly & drop the forks 1" into the triple trees before adding a damper. Try the stuff you can do for free first.
I own a '85 & a '93. Owned em since new. My '85 had a recall for the trans wich had problems with 3rd gear. Other than that, it has been dead reliable. It has 20k miles & is in showroom condition. In '93 the Max got bigger brakes & larger fork tubes. Past 88 I think the ignition is solid state...
I rode my '93 for the first time in 2yrs today. The battery died & left me stranded. I ordered another Panasonic LCX1220P for it. The first one lasted 6yrs.