Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
Yes touring bikes typically handle better with a front load in that it stabilizes steering which means slower and steadier.
Compared to rear only which makes the bike rear heavy.
The way I like to describe it is that the tail wags the dog with heavy rear panniers. Death wobbles and frightening downhills are much more common with a heavy rear load than with a heavier front load. 60% front/40% rear has been a sweet spot in my experience. I have no problems with 50 mph downhills on loaded bikes.
It's been 40 years since I've ridden a bike with a rear only load on a mountain downhill and the experience left such a lasting impression that I won't repeat it.