I tell them it doesn't matter what it cost and they are missing the point. Its about riding, not the bike.
I can tell you the guys I like to ride with the best appreciate what they ride, because they would ride anything just to ride.
I can tell you after 20 years without a road bike I wasn't interested in a harley (Ive never owned a harley) or their price tags, and was justing looking for a shadow or vulcan. Or any good deal on the side of the road. A good friend of mine (35 years riding Harley) told me that I would know it when I found my bike. Even when I stopped into the dealer I was only looking at used bikes. The told me I was tall and would fit a chopper. I really wasn't interested until I rode it. I love my Chopper, but I had just as much fun on my first bikes; Yamaha Maxima and Honda CB.
I tell them:
"It doesnt matter what it cost, just as long as you ride"