i done it. cut down the weight a bit, 4k in each pannier, 1.5kg in the h-bar bag.
rode about 500 km up the west side of the island. some rolling hills, nothing
serious. lots of tail wind (that's a first), a few strong cross winds.

took a bit of getting used to at first. not quite as quick-steering as before, but
no real difference in handling. just had to learn some new ways of doing things.

crosswinds had no effect.

saddlebag lower pivoting lock/clip wouldn't work with the lowriders. wound up
using a pair of luggage strap bungees.

not as easy to pick up the bike and carry it up a flight of stairs. no good handholds
on the front. pain in the butt at break time. kickstand was useless, not always
a convenient wall to lean against.

i could get used to it. main thing is that it moves 20 pounds off the rear end.