David,
First I love my America. Do I have experience on anything else? Not enough to give any advice. I would suggest if you can to take out the bikes that you are thinking of buying for test rides. Bring your passenger along so as to get an idea of how it will ride. I've never had any problems riding two up, these bikes are very versatile.
Now on the point of being laughed at....who cares what another person thinks? I ride with an older crowd, I've been given the nickname "the kid" and I'm 36. There is no one marquee that everyone rides. Every motorcycle manufacturer is represented. Each one of us ribs the others but it is all done in fun. From what I've seen the only people that ask why aren't I riding a Harley are a) people who don't ride and b) new Harley riders that mostly trailer their rides to events. Bottom line, get what you want and make sure it does what you want it to do. If it's an America great! We love the bikes here but bottom line I'm not going to tell you to buy something that you don't feel is right for you.
Enjoy whatever you get.
