Any advice on side bag purchase...? I've noticed some bags utilize the passenger handles and/or the fender. (I have neither) I really like the bags in this pic but cant zoom in enough to see the brand. I also have large scorpion aftermarket pipes (pic 2) Thanks for any input.
Those are Fieldsheer: http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/extras/motorcycle+luggage/fieldsheer_zzz+expander+saddle+bags No opinion on them, I just recognized them. Since soft saddlebags are generic in regards to fitting, it is really up to the user to figure out the best way to mount them. I never had an issue with heat burning the bags when I used soft saddlebags in the past. They are a great way to start touring. But IMHO, nothing beats hard cases once you decide you want to tour more seriously.
I have fieldsheer bags, I used them on previous low-mounted pipe bikes, but not the VFR. I had a BMW F650 with hard bags, never going back to floppy soft ones again. On my VFR I have Givi V35 hard bags. For soft bags, look on Twisted Throttle, SW Motech or similar sites for saddle bag supports. Before the hard bags, I looked at the SW Motech Blaze system.