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Best Motorcycle Loans Of 2024

Staff Writer
Lead Editor, Mortgages & Loans

Reviewed

Updated: Apr 1, 2024, 2:03pm

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

The average motorcycle with low mileage costs anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000, with luxury bikes costing even more, according to J.D. Power. If you have dreams of buying your first or next bike but don’t have the cash to pay outright, a motorcycle loan could help you make the purchase. Compare the best options below.

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Why you can trust Forbes Advisor: Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the loans methodology for the ratings below.

  • 29 nationwide lenders researched
  • 16 data points evaluated
  • 5 categories scored

Best Motorcycle Loans of 2024

BEST OVERALL MOTORCYCLE LOAN

SoFi®

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

650

APR range

8.99% to 29.99%

with autopay

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $100,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

650

8.99% to 29.99%

with autopay

$5,000 to $100,000

Editor’s Take

SoFi is an online lending platform that offers unsecured fixed-rate personal loans in every state. Founded in 2011, SoFi has extended over $50 billion in loans and stands out for allowing high loan amounts and its availability of extended loan terms.

Loans are available from $5,000 to $100,000, making SoFi a great option for those with excellent credit who need to borrow a large amount of money. Loan amounts available may vary by the state you live in. Repayment terms range from two to seven years, making SoFi an incredibly flexible option for those with sufficient credit (minimum 650) and annual income (at least $45,000). SoFi also lets prospective borrowers submit joint applications—although co-signers are not permitted.

Approved borrowers are rewarded with comparatively low APRs. What’s more, SoFi doesn’t charge origination fees, late fees or prepayment penalties—a stand-out feature because personal loan lenders often charge origination or late payment fees at a minimum.

However, if you’re considering a debt consolidating loan from SoFi, keep in mind that the lender does not offer direct payment to a borrower’s other creditors. This means the loan proceeds will be deposited to your bank account and you’ll have to pay off your other lenders individually. The platform does offer customers a number of other perks and discounts.

Pros & Cons
  • Prequalification with a soft credit check
  • Funding as quickly as the same day of loan approval
  • Offers direct payments to third-party creditors for debt consolidation
  • High credit score requirement
  • High minimum loan amount

Details

Eligibility:

  • Minimum credit score required. 650
  • Minimum annual income. $45,000
  • Co-borrowers. Permitted
  • Co-signers. Not permitted

BEST FOR LOW INTEREST RATES

LightStream

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

660

APR range

6.99% to 25.49%

with autopay

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $100,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

660

6.99% to 25.49%

with autopay

$5,000 to $100,000

Editor’s Take

LightStream offers loans with both a low minimum and maximum interest rate, along with a rate-beat program. LightStream’s unsecured personal loans range from $5,000 to $100,000 with loan amounts varying based on the loan purpose. In addition to offering appealing and flexible terms, LightStream charges no origination, late payment or prepayment fees. The lender also offers a 0.50% rate discount for borrowers who enroll in autopay.

Pros & Cons
  • Long loan terms available
  • Low interest rates
  • Fast approval and funding
  • No prequalification option
  • High minimum loan amount
  • Low average customer rating on Trustpilot

Details

Eligibility:

  • Minimum credit score. 660
  • Minimum income. Does not disclose
  • Co-borrowers. Permitted

BEST FOR FAST FUNDING & BELOW-AVERAGE CREDIT

LendingPoint

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

600

APR range

7.99% to 35.99%

with autopay

Loan amounts

$2,000 to $36,500

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Fiona.com’s Website

600

7.99% to 35.99%

with autopay

$2,000 to $36,500

Editor’s Take

LendingPoint is an online lender based in Atlanta that offers personal loans to prospective borrowers in 48 states and Washington D.C.; it does not offer loans in Nevada and West Virginia. Prospective borrowers in eligible states can apply online and benefit from quick funding.

LendingPoint personal loans range from $2,000 to $36,500; Georgia loans have a minimum loan amount of $3,500. Repayment terms range from 24 to 72 months—or two to six years.

There are two main disadvantages to LendingPoint: high maximum APRs and origination fees. While you can typically avoid high APRs by maintaining a high credit score, LendingPoint origination fees (up to 10%) depend on the state you live in.

Pros & Cons
  • Quick funding
  • Low credit score requirements
  • No prepayment penalty
  • Origination fee up to 10%
  • Co-signers or joint loans not permitted
  • Not available in Nevada and West Virginia

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score. 600
  • Minimum annual income. $35,000
  • Co-signers. Not permitted

BEST FOR BAD CREDIT

Upgrade

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

580

APR range

8.49% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

580

8.49% to 35.99%

$1,000 to $50,000

Editor’s Take

Upgrade was launched in 2017 and provides accessible online and mobile credit and banking services. Since that time, the platform has made more than $3 billion in credit available to over 10 million applicants and continues to expand its online and mobile services. Although maximum APRs are on the high end compared to other online lenders, Upgrade makes loans available to those with poor credit history.

Loans amounts, which range from $1,000 to $50,000. Upgrade has two- to seven-year terms  available. Upgrade charges an origination fee between 1.85% and 9.99% of the loan, and borrowers will encounter a $10 fee if their payment is more than 15 days late or if the payment does not go through; there are no discounts for autopay. That said, Upgrade borrowers are not subject to a prepayment penalty, so you can reduce the overall cost of the loan if you’re able to pay it off early.

Beyond offering accessible personal loans, Upgrade streamlines the lending process with a mobile app that lets borrowers view their balance, make payments and update personal information. Upgrade’s Credit Heath tool also makes it easy to track your credit score over the life of your loan.

Pros & Cons
  • Low minimum credit score requirement
  • Offers direct lender payoff for debt consolidation loans
  • No income requirement
  • High APR range
  • Charges fees for late payments and insufficient funds
  • Charges origination fees from 1.85% and 9.99%

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score. 580
  • Minimum income. None
  • Co-applicants. Permitted

BEST FOR COMPARING MULTIPLE OFFERS

Universal Credit

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

580

APR range

11.69% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

580

11.69% to 35.99%

$1,000 to $50,000

Editor’s Take

Universal Credit is an online lending platform that offers personal loans between $1,000 to $50,000 through its partners. Repayment terms range from three to seven years.

While Universal Credit makes finding a personal loan accessible even to those with damaged credit, it comes with a few tradeoffs. First, it charges high APRs, well above the most competitive rates seen on our list. Second, Universal Credit charges a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee on all personal loans. Because this is deducted from your loan proceeds, you’ll need to factor this in when determining your loan amount to ensure you receive the necessary amount after the fact.

Pros & Cons
  • Flexible qualification requirements
  • Next-day funding
  • No prepayment penalty
  • High APRs
  • All personal loans charge a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee

Details

Eligibility:

  • Minimum credit score: 580
  • Minimum income requirement: Does not disclose
  • Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers

Loan uses:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Large expense
  • Home project

BEST FOR NO INTEREST IF REPAID WITHIN 30 DAYS

Discover

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

660

APR range

7.99% to 24.99%

Loan amounts

$2,500 to $40,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Fiona.com’s Website

660

7.99% to 24.99%

$2,500 to $40,000

Editor’s Take

Discover is an online bank that also offers customers credit cards, retirement solutions and personal loans in all 50 states. As a lending platform, Discover stands out because of its online application and mobile banking tools, well-reviewed customer support team and quick funding.

In general, loans are available from $2,500 to $40,000 and may be issued for between three and seven years. So, while borrowers may get a larger loan from another lender, the repayment terms are fairly flexible. Discover charges a late payment fee and does not offer an autopay discount; however, it does not charge any origination fees or prepayment penalties, making it competitive with other top personal loan providers.

Pros & Cons
  • Option to pay off creditors directly
  • No origination fees or prepayment penalties
  • Directly pays creditors
  • Charges late fees
  • Low maximum loan amount

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: 660
  • Minimum household income: $25,000
  • Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers

Loan uses:

  • Medical bills
  • Business expenses
  • Home renovation

BEST FOR LOANS AS LOW AS $1,000

Upstart

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

300

APR range

7.80% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

300

7.80% to 35.99%

$1,000 to $50,000

Editor’s Take

Upstart has made a mark on the personal loan space because of its artificial intelligence- and machine learning-based approach to borrower qualification. In fact, Upstart estimates that it has been able to approve 27% more borrowers than possible under a traditional lending model. With competitive APRs, Upstart is not a top lender for borrowers who can qualify for more competitive rates. Even so, the platform’s minimum 300 credit score makes it an accessible option to those with fair credit.

Upstart also offers a pretty flexible range of loan options, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 so you don’t have to borrow (or pay interest on) more than you really need. And, while Upstart’s loan cap is lower than some lenders—this is likely to be enough for many prospective borrowers.

Even though Upstarts three- or five-year loan terms are more restrictive than other lenders, it’s likely to be an acceptable tradeoff for applicants who might not be approved in a more traditional lending environment. Plus, it’s available in every state except West Virginia and Iowa, so it’s as widely available as many other top lenders.

Pros & Cons
  • Accessible to borrowers with no credit history
  • Prequalification with a soft credit check
  • Ability to choose a custom payment date
  • Charges an origination fee up to 12% of the loan amount
  • No co-signer option
  • Only offers three- or five-year terms

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score. 300
  • Minimum income. No minimum but must have a source of income
  • Co-signers. Not permitted
  • Co-borrowers. Not permitted

BEST FOR A RANGE OF REPAYMENT TERMS

Avant

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

580

APR range

If approved, the actual loan terms that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law, and other factors. Minimum loan amounts vary by state.

9.95% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

Example: A $5,900 loan with an administration fee of 4.75% and an amount financed of $5,619.75, repayable in 36 monthly installments, with an APR of 29.95% would have monthly payments of $250.30. If approved, the actual loan terms that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law, and other factors. Minimum loan amounts vary by state.

$2,000 to $35,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

580

If approved, the actual loan terms that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law, and other factors. Minimum loan amounts vary by state.

9.95% to 35.99%

Example: A $5,900 loan with an administration fee of 4.75% and an amount financed of $5,619.75, repayable in 36 monthly installments, with an APR of 29.95% would have monthly payments of $250.30. If approved, the actual loan terms that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law, and other factors. Minimum loan amounts vary by state.

$2,000 to $35,000

Editor’s Take

Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Avant is a consumer lending platform that offers secured and unsecured personal loans through a third-party bank (WebBank). Unsecured loans are available in Washington, D.C. and every state but Hawaii, Iowa, New York, Vermont, West Virginia and Maine. The platform specializes in middle-income borrowers with fair to good credit and only requires a minimum score of 580 to qualify.

Maximum loan amounts are low compared to other lenders, but the low minimum amount and flexible repayment terms (two to five years) make it an accessible option for borrowers. However, as with many loans for subprime borrowers, Avant personal loans come with a price. In addition to charging an administrative fee of up to 4.75% of the loan amount, Avant’s APR range (9.95% to 35.99%) is on the high end for applicants with a good to excellent credit score—and there is no autopay discount. Still, the platform earns top marks for borrowers with less than stellar credit who need quick access to funds.

Pros & Cons
  • Secured and unsecured loan options available
  • Low credit score requirement (580)
  • Loan terms available up to 60 months
  • Charges an upfront administrative fee
  • High starting APR for prime borrowers
  • Co-signers and co-applicants not allowed

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: 580
  • Minimum income: $20,000
  • Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers

Loan uses:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Large expenses
  • Home projects

Company Forbes Advisor Rating Minimum credit score APR range Loan amounts LEARN MORE
SoFi® 4.0 4-removebg-preview 650 8.99% to 29.99% $5,000 to $100,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
LightStream 4.0 4-removebg-preview 660 6.99% to 25.49% $5,000 to $100,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
LendingPoint 4.0 4-removebg-preview 600 7.99% to 35.99% $2,000 to $36,500 Compare Rates Via Fiona.com's Website
Upgrade 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 580 8.49% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
Universal Credit 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 580 11.69% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Compare rates from participating lenders via Forbes Advisor
Discover 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 660 7.99% to 24.99% $2,500 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Fiona.com's Website
Upstart 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 300 7.80% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
Avant 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 580 9.95% to 35.99% $2,000 to $35,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website

Tips for Comparing Motorcycle Loans

Follow the tips below to weigh options before borrowing:

  • Pay attention to annual percentage rates (APRs). A loan’s APR is a percentage that expresses how much you will pay annually on interest and fees. You can use a loan’s APR to calculate the cost of borrowing over time. This is an important factor to compare between loans.
  • Explore loan options before going to a dealer. Financing offered by a motorcycle dealership can come with an increased interest rate that’s higher than what you might get if you borrow money directly from a personal loan. Before visiting a dealership, check other loan rates because this will help you determine if dealer financing is the best option.
  • Watch out for add-ons and fine print. Dealers and lenders may offer extended warranties or charge miscellaneous fees like prepayment penalties if you pay off your motorcycle loan early. Reading carefully through the terms and fees of each loan can help you find hidden fees and pinpoint the most affordable deal.
  • Prequalify if you can. Many lenders now let you prequalify for loans without a hard credit inquiry, so you can check rates and compare costs without taking a credit hit.

What Is a Motorcycle Loan?

A motorcycle loan is a type of installment loan that credit unions, banks or online lenders may offer. In some cases, financial institutions provide loans specifically for motorcycles, or you can use a personal loan to buy your bike.

Aside from banks and credit unions, dealerships and manufacturers offer their own motorcycle financing options. For example, Harley Davidson provides financing for both new and used bikes, while Ducati provides flexible financing solely for new bikes.

Terms of financing contracts can vary, and certain deals may offer optional add-ons, such as an extended warranty to cover mechanical breakdowns when the standard warranty expires. Weighing all of your options can help you choose the most affordable deal with the right perks.

How Do Motorcycle Loans Work?

Loans for motorcycles can be secured loans or unsecured loans. Secured loans may require a down payment and tend to have lower interest rates than unsecured loans since the motorcycle backs the loan. If you don’t make payments, the lender can take the bike to recoup the loss, which minimizes risk for the lender and can result in better interest rates.

An unsecured personal loan doesn’t require collateral and can take less paperwork to apply for, but the trade-off is the interest rate may be higher. Whether you get a secured or unsecured loan, payments for motorcycle loans are fixed and due each month.

The loan amount and interest rate you qualify for on a motorcycle loan can depend on your credit history, income and how much other debt you have. Loan terms for motorcycles vary but could range from 12 to 84 months.

How to Get a Motorcycle Loan

If you’re in the market for a motorcycle loan, here are the steps to get financing:

  1. Check your credit. It’s always a good idea to check your credit history before applying for a new loan. This way you can catch errors and clean up credit report issues before a lender does a credit check. Don’t worry—checking your own credit won’t affect your score.
  2. Check rates where you currently bank. Contact the banks or credit unions you have an existing relationship with because you might qualify for loyalty perks, such as interest rate discounts.
  3. Expand your loan search. Compare loan rates with other banks, credit unions and online lenders to see where you can get the best deal. If you have your heart set on a certain motorcycle make and model, go directly to the manufacturer’s website to see if there are any special financing deals.
  4. Get preapproved. Some financial institutions, dealers and manufacturers can preapprove or prequalify you for a motorcycle loan. While this isn’t a guarantee of final approval, getting a preliminary offer shows you the payments you might qualify for so you can see if a motorcycle will fit into your budget.
  5. Choose a loan and fully apply. After settling on a loan, follow the instructions to submit the full loan application. Once approved, you’ll sign loan documents, and loan funds may be disbursed within a few days.

How to Get a Motorcycle Loan With Bad Credit

When you have bad credit or no credit, it tends to be harder—and more expensive—to qualify for financing. Lenders that cater to borrowers with subprime credit usually charge high interest rates that may border on being predatory—but there are ways to improve your loan options.

Applying with a co-signer who has good credit could help you get a better loan because there’s another person guaranteeing repayment. But since a co-signer is also financially liable for your debt if you fail to repay, they should fully understand co-signer risks before they sign on the dotted line. One major risk is that any late payments you make will show up on the co-signer’s credit report.

If you have bad credit and no co-signer, improving your credit before borrowing could help your approval odds. Here are some strategies that could help your credit score:

  1. Pay down some debt. Reducing balances on credit cards and other revolving credit lines could reduce your credit utilization and help boost your score.
  2. Dispute credit report errors. If incorrect information on your credit report is hurting your score, filing a dispute to have it removed could positively impact your credit.
  3. Add recurring bills to your credit report. Experian and TransUnion offer Experian Boost and eCredable services that can add on-time subscription and bill payments to your credit report. If you’re new to credit or rebuilding credit, on-time Netflix or utility bill payment history could give your score a boost.

Methodology

We reviewed 29 popular lenders based on 16 data points in the categories of loan details, loan costs, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. We chose the best lenders based on the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Loan cost: 35%
  • Loan details: 20%
  • Eligibility and accessibility: 20%
  • Customer experience: 15%
  • Application process: 10%

Within each major category, we also considered several characteristics, including available loan amounts, repayment terms, APR ranges and applicable fees. We also looked at minimum credit score requirements, whether each lender accepts co-signers or joint applications and the geographic availability of the lender. Finally, we evaluated each provider’s customer support tools, borrower perks and features that simplify the borrowing process—like prequalification options and mobile apps.

Where appropriate, we awarded partial points depending on how well a lender met each criterion.

To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out our Loans Rating & Review Methodology.

Next Up In Personal Loans

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Taylor Medine
Staff Writer

Taylor Medine is a staff writer at Forbes Advisor who demystifies complex money topics to help everyday people make more informed financial decisions. Over her nearly a decade of experience, Taylor's work has been published on Bankrate, Experian, Credit Karma, MarketWatch, The Balance and more.

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