Many people dream of buying a motorcycle for road adventures and daily commutes. While motorcycles are generally cheaper than cars, they are still quite pricey. This is especially true for the sporty models and superbikes, which are sometimes as expensive as high-end cars. But despite the high price, buying a motorcycle need not drain one’s bank account. One can easily avoid a down payment and save money through loans, credit cards, and other financing options.
Secured motorcycle loans
One must pledge collateral to get a secured loan. This collateral could be any appliance, piece of jewelry, old vehicle, or valuable possessions the loan seeker owns. The collateral’s value is usually equal to the monetary value of the loan the financial institution provides. A disadvantage of secured motorcycle loans is that one risks losing their collateral if they fail to repay installments. However, on the flip side, the repayment interest rates are generally reasonable and affordable. Most importantly, many banks offer secured motorcycle loans so buyers do not have to put down a deposit or down payment for their vehicle.
Unsecured motorcycle loans
These loans do not require the borrower to pledge collateral, so one does not have to enlist their property or other valuable possessions while borrowing money. However, buyers must pay higher interest rates and thus bigger installments when repaying the loan. Still, unsecured loans are an excellent financing option that lets individuals get their hands on their dream motorcycles without making down payments.
Credit union loans
Another way to buy a motorcycle on credit without making a down payment is to sign up for a loan with a credit union. Credit union motorcycle loans are similar to bank loans. However, they sometimes have a lower annual percentage rate. Some credit unions also offer no-down-payment schemes for financing motorcycle purchases, so one should contact them to check whether this option is available. Individuals can use the money they get from a credit union loan to buy a new motorcycle and meet related expenses for protective gear, a trailer hitch, and other accessories. The only catch is that people who wish to use this option must be certified union members. That means one must first pay a certain amount to get their membership.
Manufacturer financing options
The motorcycle segment is teeming with models from many manufacturers. So, it is natural for each of them to do whatever it takes to fight the competition and sell as many units every year as possible. To achieve that objective, many offer their own financing options (either by themselves or through partnerships with external lenders). For example, some provide manufacturer loans with competitive rates, especially during holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. A few also roll out lucrative deals and incentives, like motorcycles on credit without down payments. But once again, communication is vital for buyers to know if this option is available for their chosen brand. One must contact customer service to know whether a no-down-payment option is available at any given moment on the models up for sale.
Personal loans
Personal loans are another option for arranging money when someone cannot cover a product’s cost. Like family loans, individuals can use personal loans to buy motorcycles in one fell swoop without making deposits or down payments. Personal loans are usually unsecured, so borrowers do not need to put up collateral assets as a fail-safe for lenders. However, the catch is that these loans tend to be hard to get for people with a poor credit score and records of repayments.
0% APR credit cards
Certain credit cards let people buy motorcycles by paying installments later instead of putting down a huge deposit or down payment. They also do not charge interest if the borrower repays the amount within a fixed period. However, these cards need buyers to have a good credit history and loan repayment record. If someone is clear on these fronts, they can use the card to finance their dream motorcycle purchases.
Loans from family or friends
This is arguably the safest bet to get money for buying a motorcycle in today’s high-interest, high-inflation market. People can ask their family members to lend them a certain sum to meet the cost of their dream motorcycle. Then, they can buy the motorcycle in one go without bothering about down payments, interest rates, and monthly installments. Once that is done, the individual can then go on to repay their family members periodically until the money borrowed is fully repaid. Family loans tend to come without interest repayments, making it easy for buyers to repay the money without straining their finances too much.
The options discussed here help people purchase motorcycles without down payments. Still, one should consult a financial advisor before signing up for any policy. After assessing one’s case, the expert can also recommend safer options to achieve the same outcome.
