There are a whole lot of '85 Maxxes out there selling for around what was paid in '85. I'll conceed that the resale is contingent on modifications. A bone stock 85 v-max is worth about 5k if it's in good condition. I bought mine in 99, it was 2 yrs old with 5k mi. on it. I payed $7200. If I had done nothing to it I could sell today for about the same. It is heavily modified now so this is moot. 12k and it's yours. Dealer wants $10,500 for an '01. That is it in a nutshell, for less than $10,000, one can buy, ride, customise, and own one of the baddest bikes out there, why spend more for less? Unless you're into throwing money away. Throw some my way so I can finish my....hmmmm.....need a name......ok....VMAXROD....sounds original huh?