Ian, looks like you've been Stada'd!!!
Everything you say was just so similar to what I experienced on my first test ride even down to getting back on my 996 and feeling like I was hugging the front tyre, although I put it more like I was getting on a mini-moto!
I've got comfort screen which is a big improvement even for me at 6' 1 and a bit. As for panniers, fully loaded or empty I've never experienced as much as a wobble. The booklet states that you are not recommended to exceed 120km/h when fitted, but alas I never read this 'til much later having done a steady 80-95mph on a weekend away, without mishap.
Seems to me that you've all but convinced yourself!
PS My dealer still has red ex-demo with £6k price tag---go on you know it makes sense!
PPS Brake judder - I initially thought that it was just that brakes hadn't bedded themselves in and to be fair I tend to use gearbox to provide a lot of braking rather than front stopper, but after best part of 3k miles it's still there, but not that bad that I can't put up with it!
[Edited on 17-11-2003 by luckywhiteheather]