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[ZVO]

I am trying to talk him out of it, but I need some more ammo. So far I explained they don't hold their value as well and they have plastic chrome...I don't even know if those statements are true just basing them off experience from seeing plastic chrome on a Goldwing.

Any other points?

[Ironhorse]

Let him buy it. If he wants a Harley eventually he'll buy one.

[jachd17]

Well, you can tell him my WIFE has one....because she does. SHE loves it.

[VaEagle]

Just my .02 but I would ask more questions.
Is this his first bike?
Does he have motorcycle experience?
What is a comfortable budget for him?
How often does he plan to ride and solo or not?
Is he aware that to many a brand like Harley is more than just a bike it's a group "family" experience?
In general bikes are poor investments and should NOT be purchased for financial reasons for resale. They all depreciate unless you keep it in pristine condition with no miles on it. I personally am not Jay Leno so if I buy something I plan to use it and get "my money's worth" out of it by the hours of enjoyment.
Many people start out with imports to learn to ride then as they decide to be a full time rider or give it up due to family issues etc. , they then decide on their own if they want to "invest" in the whole Harley experience both good and bad.
I would offer my opinion but let your friend buy what he can afford and welcome him into the family of motorcycling regardless of brand he chooses.

[JCZ]

VaEagle brings up some great considerations.  If one buys it and doesn't use it then it's just very expensive garage jewelry no matter the brand.  I have to ride mine and really put the miles on in order to get my money's worth out of it......I can't afford the garage jewelry. 

Terrie started out on Dynas and had two of them before she got her first Street Glide.  I've heard her tell several men and women going to buy their first Harley (and maybe their first bike)....."don't waste your money on a Sporster or a Dyna go straight to a Street Glide and they you'll keep it for a few years".  Only if she'd have listened to me when I tried telling her that. 

[ZVO]

He uses his wife as an excuse a lot...I told him "you're the one that has to ride it not your wife". He says HD is out of his price range.

[GregKhougaz]

Unless he's asking for advice, telling a buddy which bike to buy is like telling a newbie it's silly to welcome 100 older members just to boost your post count.  People do what they do.   All good points above.  Your question did not give enough facts to illicit anything but speculative responses.  Harleys are not cheap.  Let him get what he's comfortable with and start riding.  Safely. 

[grc]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but before you start making comments about chrome plated plastic you might want to look at your Harley a bit closer.  Not only do they use chrome plated plastic for some parts, but their chrome plated aluminum parts have a nasty habit of pitting and peeling.

Jerry

[mark]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but before you start making comments about chrome plated plastic you might want to look at your Harley a bit closer.  Not only do they use chrome plated plastic for some parts, but their chrome plated aluminum parts have a nasty habit of pitting and peeling.

Jerry

X2 on Harley's inability to chrome-plate aluminum.  I think every aluminum piece I've had on two bikes peeled, pitted, and blistered.

[ChopperPilot]

Let him buy what he wants, if the financials are there in the future he might buy one then. 

[skippy]

I would rather have a dose of the clap ... it will be easier to get rid of .....

[Chains]

Tell him the Boulevard is less likely to break down denying him the opportunity to get to know the fine men and women at the local Harley dealership. More riding time means he will have to spend more on fuel, so if he is on a limited budget that could throw a wrench into that. 

Seriously if he cannot afford a HD then he should get what he can afford and enjoy. The worse thing would be convincing him to buy a bike he can not afford.  I have a lot of friends that ride and a lot of them have Honda's and Kawasaki's. Me I don't care what you ride as long as you ride and do so safely.

[donald p]

Just sell him yours at a cheap price and buy a new one. TWO people will be happy.

[dlaws01]

There's nothing wrong with the Boulevard at all. If that is what he would like then I would say get it.
H-D is not the only brand out there and they aren't for everyone.  Budget can sometimes be a deciding factor.

[ZVO]

Wow....tough crowd. Nevermind.. I've been lectured enough for one day. I forget CVO owners are some of the oldest, most responsible riders...emphasis on oldest.