Thread: Bike Financing?
View Single Post
Old July 12th, 2010, 02:24 PM   #11
FrugalNinja250
ninjette.org certified postwhore
 
FrugalNinja250's Avatar
 
Name: Frugal
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Join Date: Mar 2010

Motorcycle(s): Several

Posts: A lot.
Get as short a loan term as you can afford, otherwise you'll wind up paying nearly as much for interest as the bike itself cost. Nothing sucks worse than paying $7,000 for a $4,500 bike that will be worth $3,000 or less by the time a long term note ends.

Another consideration: With a note you'll have to carry full coverage insurance for theft and collision (your fault). The insurance co will not pay off the loan balance, only the value (used) of the bike itself. With a long term and/or high interest loan the amount owed will be more than the insurance value, leaving you still making payments on a bike that's gone (totaled or stolen).

It's foolish to get into that position.

If you can't pay cash, the next best thing is to save up as much as you can for a large down payment so that at least you won't be upside down on the bike. And, if you can save $3k up there's a good chance you can find a low mileage used bike in good condition and pay cash, leaving you debt free with money from future income to do routine maintenance and purchase gear with.

As a new rider it's much more likely that you'll total the bike, too. It doesn't take much to total one, BTW, just trash the plastics and tank and a few other parts.
FrugalNinja250 is offline   Reply With Quote