FBF
ive just replied to your post in the pit lane section
i went to spain last year for just under 3 weeks with brand spankers soft oxford luggage
despite a lot of peeps slagging off hard luggage ive just bought a set of non-fango panniers and a top box
as per the previous post, the soft luggage was a real pain to get on and off the bike, it got soaked through when it rained..and believe me when it rains abroad you dont get a chance to put covers and stuff on..it really does come down hard and fast!
i used a rubber blanket between the luggage and the paintwork etc that is supposed to stop damage to the bike..DONT work, couple of hundred miles or so of vibration rubbing shifting about etc does damage the bike IMO
you have to keep an eye on the bike when your having lunch and just hope noone nicks anything off it
the only soft luggage id personaly use alongside hard ones is a tank bag to keep all me papers cameras maps etc for the trip
the last thing you want after a hard days riding is to have to undo all the clips and bunjees and lug all the gear off to the hotel room
monokey hard luggae...flick of the key and hey presto mini suitcases in hand..job done
have a look at the non-fango racks as they are less clumbersum than givi and the top box sits much lower to the bike
if the rack does bother you just take it off until you want to go on a long trip
the non-fango can be taken off the bike in about 30 mins leaving only 3 small fixing brackets attached
waffle over