cj has it correct. Back pressure is not needed; velocity is. Expanding the pipe reduces velocity, which affects scavenging (sucking burnt gas out of the exhausting cylinder before the valve closes). The size of the exhaust pipe has been selected by the designer as a compromise; he can either optimise at low, medium or high revs. People who fit big bore systems are sacrificing performance at low revs in favour of performance at high revs.
You can read this in automotive design literature, and an honest and knowledgable exhaust mechanic will tell you the same. Anyone who tells you he has a big bore system which was an improvement low down either had a badly designed or partially blocked system to start with, or is using the butt dyno to back up his choice.