If they're willing to finance up to $12k, you probably can't spend more than $10k because by the time you pay the freight, taxes, setup, doc fees and whatever else they can think of, it'll probably be close to $2k. If you're financing you likely have less ability to apply downward pressure on the price. The days of walking in with a ball of cash and negotiating a better price are presumably over until the economy tanks. If they like the Rebel that checks most of the boxes and might be able to be had for $8k. The Kawasaki Vulcan S might be worth a look. The local Guzzi dealer dropped their V9 Bobbers under $10k. That might work and it's light for a cruiser. With that kind of money you're going to get a 40-60HP bike, so I don't know that it'll be fast or quick, but my scooter will hum down the freeway at 75MPH all day long and it has less than 25HP.