Best Motorcycle Loans in 2025

Find the best bike loan with no impact to your credit score

Carol_Pope
Written by
Carol Pope
Headshot of Lauren Nicholson
Written by
Lauren Clifford
Updated December 27, 2024
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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Motorcycle lenders at a glance

Discover: Best motorcycle loans with excellent customer service

7.99%-24.99%

36 to 84 months

$2,500-$40,000

None

720

Pros
  • 97% approval rating from LendingTree users
  • No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
  • Allows deferred or lower payments to eligible borrowers who can’t afford their current loan
Cons
  • Highest credit requirement on our list
  • $39 late payment fee
  • Can’t apply with another person

What to know

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If you’re looking for a motorcycle loan with low fees and high marks in customer satisfaction, consider Discover. More than 1,500 LendingTree users rate Discover 4.9/5 stars, and Discover doesn’t charge fees except on late payments. Plus, if you’re having trouble making payments, Discover offers deferred or lower monthly payments through its loan repayment programs.

Steer clear if you have bad or even fair credit, since Discover’s minimum credit score is on the high end at 720. Also, note that you’ll need to stay on top of your motorcycle loan payments unless you’re willing to pay Discover’s $39 late fee.

How to qualify

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You’ll need to meet these eligibility criteria to get a Discover loan:

  • Age: Be at least 18
  • Citizenship: Have a Social Security number
  • Administrative: Have a physical address, email address and internet access
  • Income: Minimum income of $40,000 (individually or as a household)
  • Credit score: 720+
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Navy Federal Credit Union: Best motorcycle loans for people with military ties

8.99%-18.00%

Up to 60 months

$250-$50,000

None

Not specified

Pros
  • Low interest rates
  • No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
  • Improve your approval odds by applying with a co-applicant
  • Same-day loans available
Cons
  • Must have military connection
  • Have to join credit union to get loan
  • Other lenders offer lower starting rates

What to know

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If you have ties to the military, it’s worth your time to check your motorcycle loan rates with Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal loans are often cheaper than the competition’s because rates max out at 18.00% and there are no upfront fees or prepayment penalties.

You have to have a military connection to get a loan with Navy Federal. And if you have excellent credit, make sure to shop around — you may qualify for lower rates with another lender.

How to qualify

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NFCU is only available to:

  • Active duty members of the military (regardless of branch)
  • Veterans, retirees and annuitants
  • Those in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP)
  • Department of Defense (DoD) Officer Candidates and ROTC
  • DoD Reservists
  • DoD civilian personnel
  • Immediate family of military members, as well as household members
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SoFi: Best quick motorcycle loans

8.99%-29.99% (with discounts)

SoFi Pricing Disclosure

Fixed rates from 8.99% APR to 29.99% APR reflect the 0.25% autopay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 09/18/2024 and are subject to change without notice. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and a variety of other factors. Loan amounts range from $5,000– $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0%-7%, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.

Autopay: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.

Direct Deposit Discount: To be eligible to receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction on your Personal Loan (your “Loan”), you must set up Direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A., or enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee, all within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled Direct Deposit to an eligible Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion, or during periods in which SoFi successfully receives payment of the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off Direct Deposit to your Checking and Savings account or in which you have not paid for the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. You are not required to enroll in Direct Deposit or to pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee to receive a Loan.

24 to 84 months

$5,000-$100,000

0.00% - 7.00% (optional)

680

Pros
  • Same-day motorcycle loans
  • APR discounts for direct deposit and autopay
  • Optional origination fee
Cons
  • Good credit required
  • Must borrow at least $5,000
  • Origination fee required for lowest APRs

What to know

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If you need a quick loan for your motorcycle, try SoFi — you’re likely to get your money on the same day as long as you get your documents signed and submitted before 7 p.m. EST on a business day.

Consider other lenders on this list if you only need a small chunk of change to buy a cheap or used motorcycle. SoFi loans start at $5,000, and you should never borrow more than you absolutely need.

How to qualify

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You must meet the requirements below in order to get a loan from SoFi:

  • Age: Be the age of majority in your state (typically 18)
  • Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen, an eligible permanent resident or a non-permanent resident (a DACA recipient or asylum-seeker, for instance)
  • Employment: Have a job or job offer with a start date within 90 days, or have regular income from another source
  • Credit score: 680+
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PenFed Credit Union: Best small motorcycle loans

8.99%-17.99%

12 to 60 months

$600-$50,000

None

Not specified

Pros
  • Low interest rates
  • Allows joint loans
  • Credit union membership benefits
Cons
  • Must join credit union
  • Can get a longer loan with another lender

What to know

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With a $600 minimum loan amount, PenFed Credit Union is perfect for small motorcycle loans for civilians. You’ll need to take the time to join the union to get a loan, but know that membership comes with perks like discounts on insurance, home security and more.

PenFed Credit Union doesn’t list a minimum credit score, but if you’re concerned about your credit, you can boost your chances of getting a loan by adding a co-borrower with good to excellent credit.

How to qualify

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To qualify for a PenFed loan, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Membership: PenFed membership (anyone can join)
  • Administrative: Open a PenFed savings account with $5 deposit; may need to submit documents to verify your identity and income
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Upgrade: Best for opening a bank account with your motorcycle loan

7.99%-35.99% (with discounts)

24 to 84 months

$1,000-$50,000

1.85% - 9.99%

580

Pros
  • Open up a checking account at the same time you take out a motorcycle loan
  • Fair credit okay
  • Autopay discount
Cons
  • Charges an upfront fee on every loan
  • Charges high rates to borrowers with fair credit
  • Late fee of up to $10

What to know

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If opening up a bank account and getting a motorcycle loan are both on your to-do list, Upgrade makes it easy to apply for both at once — and potentially earn money in the process.

Just add the Rewards Checking Plus account to your loan application and follow the instructions to open your new bank account when you receive your loan. If you get a direct deposit of at least $1,000 in the first 45 days, you could earn $200.

Borrowers with fair credit may qualify for an Upgrade loan, but they’ll likely pay high rates and fees. Upgrade is the only lender on this list to charge an upfront origination fee on every motorcycle loan, and it charges interest rates as high as 35.99%.

How to qualify

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To qualify for a loan through Upgrade, you must meet the requirements below:

  • Age: Be at least 18 years old (19 in some states)
  • Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or live in the U.S. with a valid visa
  • Administrative: Have a valid bank account and email address
  • Credit score: 580+
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Upstart: Best motorcycle loans for bad credit

6.70%-35.99%

36 or 60 months

$1,000-$50,000

0.00% - 12.00%

300

Pros
  • Qualify with bad or no credit
  • Low starting rates
  • Customer service available on weekends
Cons
  • Charges high rates for borrowers with bad credit
  • May charge an upfront fee
  • Only two repayment term lengths to choose from

What to know

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When you apply for a motorcycle loan through the lending platform Upstart, it considers more than just your credit score. Upstart uses artificial intelligence to predict how likely you are to pay back what you borrowed. As a result, Upstart may approve you even if you have bad or no credit.

Even though Upstart offers bad credit loans for motorcycles, they don’t come cheap. You could pay an APR as high as 35.99% and an origination fee of up to 0.00% - 12.00%.

How to qualify

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Upstart has transparent eligibility requirements, including:

  • Age: Be 18 or older
  • Administrative: Have a U.S. address, personal banking account, email address and Social Security number
  • Employment: Have a job or job offer that starts within six months, or have regular income
  • Credit-related factors: Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio no higher than 50% (45% in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Vermont), no bankruptcies within the last year, fewer than six inquiries on your credit report in the last six months and no current delinquencies
  • Credit score: 300+
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How does motorcycle financing work?

Motorcycle financing works like other types of financing. Instead of paying for your motorcycle up front, you take out a loan from a bank, credit union or online lender.

Then, you pay back what you borrowed plus interest in monthly installments. You’ll usually have between 12 and 84 months to pay off your purchase.

 Is getting a motorcycle loan a good idea?

Motorcycles are fun to have, but they don’t qualify as an essential purchase for most people. Before you get your heart set on a new bike, be sure that you aren’t ignoring other priorities like creating an emergency fund or getting out of debt.

On this page

Types of motorcycle loans

There are two types of motorcycle loans: secured and unsecured. The terms we’ve listed above are for unsecured loans, meaning your motorcycle won’t act as collateral for your loan.

Unsecured motorcycle loans
Secured motorcycle loans
No down payment

Won’t lose motorcycle if you miss payments

Easy to find

Higher interest rates		 Lower interest rates

Can be easier to get with bad credit

Down payment usually required

Lender can take your motorcycle if you miss payments

Where to get a secured motorcycle loan

We’ve listed the best unsecured motorcycle loans on this page, but if you want a secured motorcycle loan, consider these options:

Manufacturer motorcycle loans

Best for buying new bikes

Manufacturer loans are offered by the brand of your motorcycle, like Honda or Suzuki. These loans tend to have some of the most competitive rates, especially during the holidays. It’s common for manufacturers to offer deals and buyer incentives during this time.

Bank motorcycle loans

Best for current customers

Some banks offer secured motorcycle loans, but they might refer to them by a different name, like a powersport loan, or lump them in with RV loans. Check with your bank to see if they have secured motorcycle loans, since bank loans tend to come with low rates and few fees.

Credit union motorcycle loans

Best for deal hunters

Credit union motorcycle loans generally come with low APRs, making them ideal for bargain hunters. For instance, Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) offers motorcycle loans with rates as low as 7.25%. You can also borrow up to 125% of your bike’s value to pay for related expenses like protective gear.

 Steer clear of in-house financing

In-house financing, or buy here, pay here lots, usually have the worst terms of all motorcycle loan options. These lots target bad-credit borrowers by making their loans easy to get. In turn, their loans come with much higher rates — meaning less money in your pocket.

How to find a motorcycle loan

1. Shop for a bike

At this point, you don’t need to know exactly what bike you’re going to buy, but you do need to have an idea of how much it will cost. Add up the cost of the motorcycle and everything else you need, like protective gear, insurance and motorcycle classes. You can roll these expenses into your loan. Then, use our motorcycle loan calculator to get a feel for your monthly loan payment.

2. Check your credit score

Check your credit score for free with LendingTree Spring. Knowing your score will help you understand what loans you can qualify for and whether their rates are competitive.

3. Shop around and compare

You can get motorcycle loan offers from up to five of our trusted lending partners when you fill out a single form with LendingTree. You could save up to $3,138 by shopping around for a personal loan.

4. Get your money

When you’ve found the best loan for your situation, it’s time to fill out a formal application and get your money. The lender will likely send it to you via direct deposit, and you can use the loan money to pay for your bike.

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How to get a motorcycle loan with bad credit

Getting a motorcycle loan with bad credit isn’t impossible, but the monthly payments may be out of your budget. These tips will help you get approved for a more affordable loan.

  1. Pay off debt. Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio when you apply for a motorcycle loan. If your DTI ratio is higher than 35%, consider paying some outstanding debts before applying for more.
  2. Add a co-borrower or cosigner. Taking out a joint loan with a creditworthy family member or friend could land you a loan with lower rates. Keep in mind that late payments will affect their credit score as much as yours. Your co-borrower will also have equal access to the loan, though a cosigner will not.
  3. Consider a secured loan. Offering up your motorcycle as collateral on a secured loan may help you get approved. You’ll typically find these loans with banks and credit unions.

How we chose the best motorcycle loans

We reviewed more than 30 lenders to determine the overall best six motorcycle loans. To make our list, lenders must offer personal loans that can be used to purchase a motorcycle with competitive APRs. From there, we prioritize lenders based on the following factors:

  • Accessibility. Lenders are ranked higher if their personal loans are available to more people and require fewer conditions. This may include lower credit requirements, wider geographic availability, faster funding and easier and more transparent prequalification and application processes.
  • Rates and terms. We prioritize lenders with more competitive fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
  • Repayment experience. For starters, we consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.

According to our systematic rating and review process, the best motorcycle loans come from Discover, Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union, SoFi, Upgrade and Upstart.

Frequently asked questions

It’s difficult to get an affordable unsecured motorcycle loan (or personal loan) if your credit score is below 640. Some lenders specialize in bad credit, but you’ll pay higher APRs.
 
Generally, secured motorcycle loans are easier to get, since they use your bike as collateral (and sometimes require a down payment). Still, putting down collateral doesn’t guarantee approval.

The hard credit pull that lenders run when you apply for a motorcycle loan will cause a slight, temporary drop to your credit score. In the long run, making on-time loan payments will boost your credit, but missing payments will tank your score.

The best loan for a motorcycle is one that you can afford and that aligns with your needs. If you don’t want to make a down payment, then an unsecured personal loan could be a good fit. For the lowest rates, check out secured manufacturer loans.