Motorcycle Loans for Bad Credit
You can qualify for a motorcycle loan with bad credit, but it will be hard to find lenders that offer you affordable rates. That said, if you need a bike now, consider our picks below. All of them cap their rates below 36% and lend to borrowers with bad credit.
If you can afford to wait, take time to improve your credit before applying — you could save thousands.
Bad credit motorcycle loan options
Poor credit motorcycle lenders
Avant
If you need a small or midsize loan to buy your motorcycle, consider applying with Avant. Avant’s customer service team offers extended hours seven days a week, so you’ll have support every step of the way.
Bikers who want to buy an expensive motorcycle will need to consider other lenders on this list, since Avant loans max out at $35,000. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of additional fees, like Avant’s upfront origination fee and late payment charges.
Read our expert Avant personal loan review.
Prosper
While many lenders only allow you to apply for a loan as an individual, Prosper offers joint loans. Applying with a co-borrower with good credit can improve your approval odds and even lower your rates, potentially saving you money on your bike loan.
Keep in mind that Prosper charges upfront origination fees on every loan, and you’ll also be on the hook for late payment fees if you miss a payment.
Read our expert Prosper personal loan review.
Upgrade
If you need to stretch out your bike payments over a period of several years, consider getting a loan with Upgrade. Upgrade offers the longest repayment periods of any lender on this list, and it also allows for co-borrowers.
That said, you’ll pay an upfront origination fee on your Upgrade loan, and you’ll need to pay a late fee for any missed or late payments. Use a loan calculator to determine if these fees are worth the lower monthly payments you’ll get with a longer loan term.
Read our expert Upgrade personal loan review.
Upstart
Borrowers with very bad credit can still qualify for a loan with Upstart thanks to its unusually low credit score requirement of 300. You won’t have to sacrifice getting quality customer service, either — 99% of LendingTree users recommend Upstart.
Note that Upstart charges a 0.00% - 12.00% origination fee — the highest of any lender on this list.
Read our expert Upstart personal loan review.
Types of bad credit motorcycle loans
- Personal loan: The bad credit motorcycle loans we’ve highlighted on this page are unsecured personal loans that don’t require you to use your bike as collateral to qualify. You can use a personal loan to pay for almost anything, including large purchases like motorcycles.
- Secured motorcycle loan: When you use your motorcycle as collateral, the lender can take your bike if you stop making payments. Lenders like Consumers Credit Union and myAutoLoan offer loans specifically for motorcycle purchases.
- Dealership loan: Some dealerships work with lenders that offer loans for bad credit. You can fill out an application directly with the dealership, and they will show you any loan offers you qualify for. Watch out for dealer fees and make sure you’re working with a reputable dealer rather than a buy here, pay here lot.
- In-house financing: Avoid in-house financing from buy here, pay here lots whenever possible. You’ll pay for the convenience of getting a loan and a motorcycle in the same place with extremely high interest rates and fees, making this the most expensive way to fund your bike.
How to find a motorcycle loan with LendingTree
LendingTree users could save an average of $1,659 by shopping around on our site. Here’s how to compare several motorcycle loan offers from LendingTree in minutes.
- Fill out a form. You’ll answer a few basic questions about yourself, your loan and when you need the money.
- Review your offers. If you qualify, we’ll send you offers from up to five of our trusted lending partners. You’ll have the chance to compare rates without impacting your credit score.
- Get your money. Once you’ve chosen a lender, you’ll submit a formal application. You’ll sign the paperwork and the lender will send you your money so you can hit the road on your new bike.
Motorcycle payment calculator
Motorcycle loan rates for bad credit
Borrowers with bad credit should expect to pay rates on the high end of a lender’s range. Reputable personal loan lenders like the ones on this page charge up to 35.99% for motorcycle loans for bad credit. This is lower than the 36% threshold that personal finance experts agree is affordable.
Shady lenders and buy here, pay here lots often charge three-digit interest rates to borrowers with bad credit. Avoid paying predatory rates when possible — you could end up spending more than your bike is worth on interest payments alone.
Alternatives to bad credit motorcycle loans
Pay in cash
If you have time, save up enough cash to pay for your bike in part or in full. You’ll avoid paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest. In fact, you’ll save even more than the average borrower by paying in cash because lenders charge high interest rates to borrowers with bad credit to offset the risk that they won’t pay off their loans.
Improve your credit score
Taking the time to build your credit will help you save on more than just your motorcycle loan. Borrowers with the four most common debt types — auto loans, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans — who raised their scores from fair to very good saved over $22,000 on average, according to a recent LendingTree study.
Apply with a co-applicant
Adding a co-applicant to your loan can boost your odds of approval and potentially help you qualify for lower interest rates, saving you money on your loan. Keep in mind that your co-applicant will legally be responsible for making payments if you default on your loan.
Frequently asked questions
The average motorcycle costs $3,000 to $6,000, but you can find one as cheap as $500 or as expensive as $100,000.
Yes, you can lease a motorcycle through a dealership or online.
Motorcycle loans are usually 36 to 60 months, but they can be shorter or longer depending on the lender.
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