I did the hard bags for the wet days on longer trips. I also like to keep my stuff locked without the need to carry it in everywhere I go. I have soft bags and upgraded for the water proofing alone. I had two times come up on my bike to find people had open the soft bags, not to steal but just to see I guess. I can remove all brackets in about 2 minutes. So if not needing it no bags, no trunk, no brackets.... I never thought I would like it this much, but, I have to say..... I will probably never bother with the soft again.
I have a 2009 FZ6 with E41's and a Givi S850 GPS soft bag. To me this is a great commuting setup and soon to be a great touring setup. My idea of touring is minimalist, stay in hotels and spending my time enjoying the driving. For the last 3000 miles, it has been a good commuter. After adding bags, I didn't see a fuel economy change. This is basically the look, except mine is all black. I personally avoid a top case because I want to swing my leg over easily. I do have a Cortech top case if I need it.
I don't have a change in fuel economy, Not noticeable anyways with the v35s, the trunk is a e460, I do the minimulist thing as far as I will camp. I enjoy going off for a few weeks and just primitive camp, I also go to a hotel if I am running far and hard.
My 07' Ninja 650R with givi saddlebags and axio hard top tail bag. Also got a comfy seat that has been seen earlier on this thread mounted to Grainbelt's Ninja (no way I would ride more than an hour without the extra padding in this seat). Some admore lights were put in the V35's, and some SW motech mirror extenders so I'm not looking at the inside of my elbows.
Cjsgptx, I custom made the brackets myself. The bags themselves are stressed members of the fabrication.
Okay, thanks I need to find someone that will help me do that, that would look awesome on mine! Chris
Dam, your givi's are looking great on the bike. I love the color match. Fortunately I didn't have to paint my side bags. I do have to paint my trunk still.
'06 FZ6 - Just shy of 100k km on her now, many more to go. Pictures from last year. I find it great for touring on. I have added a lot to it over the years, but the biggest trip I did with not much more then the hard bags, seat, and windscreen. I have done tens of thousands of kilometers with the Givi V35 bags loaded to over weight capacity, without any issue. Lack of power has certainly never been a problem for me. I plan to keep this bike for many years to come.
Man I love this thread! Maybe because I own a 600 that I tour on? Biased? Haha! Keep the pics coming! (always good for more touring ideas...)