Having had "hard bags" for a while, I have mixed feelings about it. For most everyday type riding the hard bags are fine but there are times when on a trip when I'd like to just take the entire set of saddle bags into a hotel room instead of having to unpack 'em. I have inserts that fit right into the bags and are pretty handy, but those are still sometimes a pain...or seem like a pain when I'm tired. I think the best piece of luggage I have is the tail box (Tour Pak). Those make life a little easier. I can fit a gallon of milk (standing up right) and an entire week's worth of groceries shopping just in the Tour Pak alone. But I've had other tail bags on other bikes and they really are handy and well compliment a good set of saddle bags for trips or daily use.