Motorcycle Loans for Bad Credit
- Although motorcycle loans are available for those with bad credit, you should expect to pay a higher APR, typically near the top of a lender’s range.
- Even rates from reputable lenders can run as high as 35.99%; predatory lenders may charge triple-digit APRs.
- To secure a more affordable loan, consider adding a co-signer.
- Shopping around and comparing offers through a site like LendingTree could save potentially thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
Buying a motorcycle with bad credit isn’t impossible, but it can be expensive. To a lender, a lower credit score translates to higher risk, so that leads to higher interest rates and stricter financing requirements.
But this doesn’t mean that loans are completely inaccessible. Here is a list of lenders that offer bad credit motorcycle loans with interest rates below 36%.
Bad credit motorcycle loan options
| Lender | Minimum credit score | Annual percentage rate (APR) range | Loan terms | Loan amounts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 580 | 9.95% to 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $2,000 to $35,000 | |
 | 560 | 8.99% to 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $2,000 to $50,000 | |
 | 580 | 7.74% to 35.99% (with discounts) | 24 to 84 months | $1,000 to $50,000 | |
 | None | 6.20% to 35.99% | 36 or 60 months | $1,000 to $75,000 |
If you can afford to wait, take time to improve your credit before applying — you could save thousands. Use our free tool, LendingTree Spring, to track your credit and get personalized recommendations.
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.
Avant isn’t for everyone, as it charges an upfront origination fee, which it dubs an “administration fee,” and late payment penalties. Loans also max out at $35,000, so those looking at more expensive motorcycles would have to consider a different lender.
Read our full Avant personal loan review.
Prosper
While many lenders only allow you to apply for a loan as an individual, Prosper offers joint loans. A joint loan can improve your approval odds if you apply with a co-borrower that has good credit. It could also potentially lower your interest rate.
Keep in mind that Prosper charges upfront origination fees on every loan, and you’ll also be on the hook for late 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, up to 84 months, and it also allows for co-borrowers. That can lower your monthly payment, although it will increase the total cost of the loan.
As with other lenders, however, 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 complete Upgrade personal loan review.
Upstart
Borrowers with very bad credit might still be able to qualify for a loan with Upstart, as some of the platform’s lending partners don’t have a hard minimum credit score requirement. You won’t have to sacrifice getting quality customer service, either — 99% of LendingTree users recommend Upstart.
Note that some of Upstart’s partners charge an origination fee. This fee is more likely the worse your credit is, but it’ll be rolled into your loan so you don’t have to pay it out of pocket.
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. This is why rates can be higher, as collateral reduces risk for lenders.
- Secured motorcycle loan: When you use your motorcycle as collateral, the lender can repossess your bike if you stop making payments. By putting your asset at risk, you can usually score a lower interest rate. 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. This can be convenient, as you can fill out an application directly with the dealership. But watch out for dealer fees and work with reputable dealers, not buy here, pay here lots.
- In-house financing: Avoid in-house financing from buy here, pay here lots whenever possible. These loans often carry extremely high interest rates and fees, making this the most expensive way to fund your bike.
How to find a motorcycle loan with LendingTree
According to a recent LendingTree study, users who shopped around on the site ended up saving an average of $1,659. 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.
You can also explore prequalification options in our guide to getting a pre-approved auto loan.
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 offer interest rates well above the standard 36% limit 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.
Improve your credit score
Taking the time to build your credit will help you save on more than just your motorcycle loan. Borrowers who raised their scores from fair to very good saved an average of $1,800 on personal loans, 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 in the U.S. costs about $12,000, but you can find some as cheap as $500 or as expensive as $100,000.
Some lenders may be willing to lend money to a borrower with a credit score of 500, but options are limited. Most traditional lenders prefer scores of at least 580. With a 500 credit score, you’re firmly in the “very poor credit” category, so you may need to provide a substantial down payment or use a co-signer with good credit.
Harley-Davidson Financial Services works with a wide range of credit profiles, but approval is not guaranteed. The lender uses a variety of factors, such as income, debt-to-income ratio and down payment size, to make its decision.
Compare Motorcycle Loan Offers