Going from A Harley to anything else can get you the same response. I knew a guy who got grief because they bought a V-Rod! "Not a real Harley" they told him.
I have neighbors who rode with a Harley group for years. But the husband got to where he wasn't comfortable holding the bike up with his wife on it and she wasn't interested in her own ride. So, they bought a Spyder. They loved it! But the group gave them so much trouble over it that they finally gave in and traded it for a Tri-Glide. The husband told me it rides like an old milk truck he used to drive. Slow, clunky, and can't get out of its own way. And his wife doesn't like it nearly as well as the Spyder.
(Now these are his words, not mine. I'm not here to bash anyone's ride) But, their riding group is happy and they wanted that more than their Spyder.
Sometimes the definition of 'Friends' expands beyond my understanding of the term...
I'll run with you no matter what you ride as long as you can keep up. I might even slow down for you if I like you enough!