Written by Jenn Jones | Edited by Katie Lowery | Updated July 20, 2023
Lender | Starting APR* | Terms (months) | Best for... | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|
NuVision Federal Credit Union | 6.49% | Up to 72 | Low rates | Currently unavailable |
Credit Human | 6.79% | Up to 84 | Long loan term | Currently unavailable |
Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) | 7.25% | Up to 60 | No down payment | Read our review |
Navy Federal Credit Union | 7.95% | Up to 84 | Those with military connections | Read our review |
USAA Bank | 7.84% | Up to 72 | Those with fair credit | Currently unavailable |
Greater Texas Federal Credit Union | 8.19% | Up to 63 | Texans | Currently unavailable |
LightStream | 8.49% | Up to 72 | Those who want unsecured financing | Read our review |
Motorcycle loans may be secured or unsecured. A secured loan might have a lower rate, but the lender can also repossess your bike if you fail to make payments. The advantage of an unsecured personal loan is no vehicle-related paperwork, but you’re likely to pay higher rates.
The best way to get the best motorcycle loan is to compare rates and terms from multiple lenders before you sign for a purchase or refinance on your cruiser, sport bike, touring bike, scooter or moped.
Motorcycle loans may work a little differently than auto loans, but the application process is quite similar:
If a motorcycle is your primary mode of transportation and you don’t have the cash on hand to buy a bike outright, a motorcycle loan makes sense. Balancing a motorcycle loan and a car payment at the same time might be trickier — paying for a bike with cash instead will save on interest fees. Motorcycles are typically less expensive than cars, but some Harley-Davidsons start around $50,000. Shop for the lowest rate at the shortest term you can afford.
No, you can find motorcycle loans at many of the places you find auto loans: banks, credit unions, online lenders and manufacturers. It is true that some auto loan providers don’t always finance motorcycles, but even so, there are lots of options for borrowers of all credit profiles.
The best place to get a motorcycle loan is any reputable lender that can provide the lowest rate at the terms you prefer. A local credit union is a good place to start — rates are generally lower and membership requirements might be easier to meet than you think.
At the end of 2022, we saw credit union motorcycle loan rates as low as 5.49% APR. In general, motorcycle loan rates are higher than auto loan rates because the likelihood of default may be greater for a motorcycle.
Typically, those with credit scores of 660 or higher will receive the best motorcycle loan rates and most favorable terms. Some lenders accept credit scores under 600, but rates may be high. If possible, postpone your purchase until you’ve had time to improve your credit before applying for a motorcycle loan.