Yeah, 2-up a C-14 will pop right off the front wheel without any real effort. Riding 2-up it is about impossible to wind out first or second without lifting the front wheel but if you are aware that it is coming, you can hold the front wheel just off the ground until it drops when you shift. For a while I didn't even think my wife noticed that but it turns out that she did. She likes it though and it is tough to scare her on a motorcycle, at least one as large and heavy as a C-14.
And just to expand on the 2-up performance issue, you can take on 600 cc sport bikes with a solo rider and unless they are quite skilled, eat them for lunch. Even if they are competent they cannot get away and will lose ground in the straights. A liter bike will of course out run a C-14, especially one that is 2-up with some weight on board, under any conditions but what is truly surprising is how slowly a Concours will give ground. It truly surprised me and has absolutely amazed more than one kid on a sport bike, even a 1,000.
If your wife really does not like it I would suggest going a lot easier on the bike. If you alienate her to riding you will find yourself riding alone. Some will claim that is a good thing but not me- I like my wife and we ride together a lot.
And then there is the 'never scare the passenger' policy- I just don't think it is fun to frighten other people (except for hiding in a dark corner of the kitchen but that is another matter).
Brian
Today was riding with the wife and oops did a 2nd gear power wheelie (no more than a foot high) and now have a less than happy wife.
Given I was under 40 mph and did not open the throttle up much I was also ... surprised.
Any c14 wheelie experts want to comment on how prone the C14 is wheelie solo and 2 up? (Given I am 270 and wife is about 1/2 my size and empty cases)
Thanks