personal preference
I started with soft luggage. Got my 1st set of hard luggage with my XT600. Stayed with hard luggage for more than 10 years on various bikes. Decided to go for soft luggage again. HATED IT!!! Every friggin moment. Going back to hard luggage.
Like I said- personnel preference. BUT...
And I'm sorry to say- it's about the setup of the bike, NOT the luggage that affects the handling most of all. My XT was very stable all the way upto 150km/h. Yes, the Yammie's suspension is crap, but that won't change because you have soft luggage
As for the weight difference- yes they're slightly heavier (not 20kgs- mine weighs in at around 5kg each). And if you're worried about the weight- don't overpack them. If you're worried about the size- make them smaller/slimmer.
few things I like about hard luggage as opposed to soft luggage (personnel opinion): - more secure as they're lockable
- can use them to sit on, bike stands during repairs, tables etc
- if probably fitted, they can improve poor handling characteristics of your machine
- keep the heavy stuff in the bottom of the panniers and you have a lower center of gravity than with soft luggage
- easier to pick the bike when you drop it (more places to hold on to, bike doesn't 'lie as flat', etc)
- doesn't look like whore's handbag
- generally more watertight and protects your stuff better
- easy to repair (simple ones- not those double-skinned round jobs) and much stronger than soft luggage
This set of panniers on my XT was made by a Suisse guy- all home made allu that can be knocked together in a Saturday for the price of a few pop-rivets, an allu sheet, a few hinges and some silicon. I've had many, many falls with them Transferred them onto various bikes over the years. All-in-all: soft luggage SUCKS
But just my 2p
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Squily
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