The plan is when we do go away we will be using the panniers so it wont be often. I also carry quite a bit of gym gear around from time to time and shop from day to day. They are well away from any paint work too as they are on the pannier racks.
Yes i could have got a bike probably more suited for the job but this one felt a good fit and was convenient to buy along with Andys Tracer from the same place. We got quite a bit knocked off for buying 2 bikes. I did sit on the nc750x but found it too tall, having said that once i get used to this one id probably be fine with a taller bike.