This is just my portion of this, but Lonna started riding with me on my 1st Venture which was an '84. She liked it ok, then we bought an '86 and there was a bit more farkles on it like the adjustable backrest, she like it better. I bought my 1st '99 and she loved it, way more room for her to be more comfortable. She wasn't as cramped as on the 1st gens, especially if I had a backrest installed. The G2 for both of us riding together is the best bike for us. I personally like the foot position a LOT better on the G2 than a 1st gen. Do I have a soft spot for the 1st gen, absolutely, I have owned 7 of them, and 3 2nd gens.
I never had to win over a diehard 1st gen guy, I sat their wife or girlfriend on the back of the 2nd gen and thats all it took....