You are correct and resale of any new buy makes you lose a lot. I am searching a used one only. Vrod is over budget but sportster is manageable. Just in the process of grabbing more infos about it to know and understand it inside out.
A second choice will always be second. Well said.
Air cooled engines are not generally as efficient as liquid cooled. My sportster had a small tank and although mileage was OK I had to start looking for gas after an hour and a half of riding. Remote location riding was a planning challenge.