It is fascinating how a thing that is so natural to all of us can be so hard to articulate. Any of us can get on most any bike, big or small, tiny or tall and just go. Our understanding of steering and balance is so deeply ingrained that we need not think, just do it.
I recall learning to ride. Was taught the myth about centrifugal force keeping it upright. I believed it and remember exploring that somewhat with the bike turned upside down, spinning the wheels and directly observing the force in that way. It did not seem sufficient to keep the thing upright. A new opportunity for that experiment came with my new front hub motor, holding it up a few inches and spinning at great speed. BTW, how many of us have little black skid marks all over the garage floor?
Learning was hard -- the first bike was too tall for me and I still have scars from that day 45 years later. But the notable thing was that there was a single moment where I suddenly just got it. One minute I could not keep it upright for more than a few feet and the next minute I was going around the block.
I've taught both my kids and several others and the experience seems much the same. Learning to balance is sudden. At first you can't, then, you can. It's very much like looking at an optical illusion like this one, where you first see one image, then suddenly the other ...
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My ebike is fairly tall Schwinn with batteries on the rack in standard WE fashion. It handles in a certain way, which is not bad by my standards. In an earlier post I mentioned an eGo scooter, which is at the opposite end of the CG scale. It is easy to ride, very docile. The Schwinn is clearly more agile. Both are worthy vehicles. And different. Any of us could ride either, equally well. So interesting as all of this is, I'm starting to wonder what is the point? And did the OP ever get his question answered.
I submit that where to put the batteries has more to do with the purpose of the bike than anything. Are you a racer, a casual rider, a commuter? Will you be trail riding or riding freestyle or hauling groceries? What is more important to you, safety, comfort, speed, looks? This thread has tons of good information that would apply to each of these situations. But I think these kinds of questions need to be kept in mind as the answers are sought.
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About countersteering (especially if you have doubts) -- If you have a light mounted on the handlebars, try this some night. Ride in a straight line and observe where the light hits the ground, some distance out in front. Then start a turn, and notice where the light beam goes. It will always swing, briefly, opposite to the direction of the turn. Try it hands off! Guess I noticed it since this discussion thread is still in mind.
Rear hub motors make more sense than front hub motors because the location of the weight (which can be up to 25 lbs) is in the right place in the rear down low, but not as good when that weight is in the front.
A nice box of red wine would be OK at room temperature. And it might match your battery better.
