I'm facing the same arguement with a new rider at work. Only he wants to skip the 6's and go straight to an R1. It didn't help that the guys who rode cruisers said he'd be fine starting on a 750, or the guy who's never ridden a bike before period said a 600. I tried to point him in the direction of the Hyosung GT250R (he said looks were really important to him) but I was interrupted. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
I wish you the best of luck! And if that doesn't work, remember, he can't ride with broken wrists!

-Guy