Motorcycle loan rates in 2026 run roughly from 4% to 36% APR, and where you land inside that range is decided almost entirely by your credit score. Riders with excellent credit see rates starting around 3.99–5.24%. Navy Federal, one of the more competitive lenders, advertises new-bike loans from about 7.45% APR. At the other end, some lenders go up to 35.99% for poor credit.
Motorcycle rates sit above car loan rates as a rule, because a bike is riskier collateral: easier to steal, easier to total, and it depreciates on a different curve.
Motorcycle loan rates by credit score
This is the table almost nobody publishes — lenders show you their own advertised rate, which assumes excellent credit, and leave you to find out where you actually fall.
| Credit profile | Approx. score | Typical APR |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 720+ | 3.99%–5.24% |
| Good | 670–719 | Roughly 6%–10% |
| Fair | 580–669 | Roughly 10%–20% |
| Poor | Below 580 | Up to 35.99% |
670 is the threshold that matters. It is where the affordable tier begins. Below it, financing is still available, but the price climbs steeply — and on a five-year loan that difference is not small.
What a $10,000 motorcycle loan actually costs
Same loan, same 60-month term, different rates:
| APR | Monthly payment | Total interest | Total repaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.99% | $188.67 | $1,320 | $11,320 |
| 7.45% | $200.14 | $2,009 | $12,009 |
| 10.00% | $212.47 | $2,748 | $12,748 |
| 15.00% | $237.90 | $4,274 | $14,274 |
| 20.00% | $264.94 | $5,896 | $15,896 |
| 25.00% | $293.51 | $7,611 | $17,611 |
Read the right-hand column, not the middle one. Between 5% and 20% APR the monthly payment differs by $76 — which sounds survivable — while the total cost differs by $4,576. That is most of a second motorcycle.
The term matters as much as the rate
Stretching the loan is how dealers make any monthly payment achievable. Here is the same $10,000 at 7.45%:
| Term | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| 24 months | $449.77 | $794 |
| 36 months | $310.83 | $1,190 |
| 48 months | $241.56 | $1,595 |
| 60 months | $200.14 | $2,009 |
| 72 months | $172.66 | $2,431 |
| 84 months | $153.14 | $2,863 |
Going from 36 to 84 months halves the payment and more than doubles the interest. There is a second problem: motorcycles depreciate faster than an 84-month loan pays down principal, so you can spend years owing more than the bike is worth. If something happens to it, that gap is yours to cover.
You can run your own numbers — including sales tax, trade-in and negative equity — in our motorcycle loan calculator.
What moves your rate besides your score
- New vs used. Used bikes carry higher rates. Many lenders also cap the model year or mileage they will finance at all.
- Loan term. Longer terms often carry a higher APR as well as more total interest — you pay twice for the same convenience.
- Loan amount. Very small loans sometimes carry higher rates, since the lender’s fixed costs are spread over less principal.
- Down payment. More money down means less exposure for the lender and frequently a better rate offer.
- Secured vs unsecured. A secured motorcycle loan uses the bike as collateral, so rates are lower. A personal loan is unsecured — higher rate, but no restriction on the age or mileage of what you buy.
Where to get the best rate
Credit unions consistently post the most competitive advertised rates on motorcycle loans, and they dominate the search results for a reason. Membership requirements are usually easy to meet.
Online lenders and marketplaces let you compare several offers from one application, which is the fastest way to find out what you actually qualify for rather than what is advertised.
Dealer financing is the most convenient and frequently not the cheapest. It can be excellent when the manufacturer is running promotional APR on new bikes — and expensive the rest of the time. Get an outside quote first, then let the dealer try to beat it.
How to get a lower APR
- Check your score before you shop. If you’re near 670 or 720, waiting a few months to cross the line can be worth more than any negotiation at the dealership.
- Rate-shop inside a short window. Scoring models generally treat multiple loan inquiries within a short period as a single event, so comparing several lenders does not stack up damage to your score.
- Put more down. 10–20% is the common guidance, and it improves both the rate offered and how quickly you reach positive equity.
- Take the shortest term you can genuinely afford. Not the shortest that looks affordable in a good month.
- Don’t roll negative equity forward. If you still owe on your current bike, that balance moves into the new loan and you start underwater.
Before you commit to the bike
The loan is the predictable part of the cost. Insurance, gear, licensing and maintenance are not financed and land in the same monthly budget. Our breakdown of what a motorcycle really costs covers those, and if you’re financing a used bike it’s worth knowing what counts as high mileage and how long motorcycles last before you take on a five-year loan against one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal interest rate for a motorcycle loan?
For a borrower with good credit, roughly 6–10% APR in 2026. Excellent credit gets 3.99–5.24%. Below a 670 score, rates climb quickly and can reach 35.99% with some lenders.
How much would a $10,000 motorcycle loan cost?
Over 60 months at 7.45% APR, about $200 a month and $2,009 in total interest. At 15% APR the same loan costs $237.90 a month and $4,274 in interest.
What is a good APR for a motorcycle?
Anything under about 7% is a good rate in the current market. Under 5% is excellent and generally requires a score above 720 plus a new bike and a shorter term.
Are motorcycle loan rates higher than car loan rates?
Yes, typically. Motorcycles are riskier collateral — more likely to be stolen or written off — so lenders price them above comparable auto loans.
Can you get a motorcycle loan with bad credit?
Yes, but expensively. Some lenders quote up to 35.99% APR. On a $10,000 loan over five years that is around $7,600 in interest. A larger down payment or a co-signer usually beats accepting that rate.
Does a longer loan term mean a higher interest rate?
Often, yes. Many lenders price longer terms at a higher APR because their exposure lasts longer — so a 72 or 84-month loan can cost more both through the term and through the rate.
Should I use a personal loan instead?
Sometimes. Personal loans start around 6.25% and are unsecured, so the bike isn’t collateral and there are no age or mileage restrictions on what you buy. Compare both before deciding — for an older used bike, a personal loan is occasionally the only route.
Payment and interest figures are calculated with the standard amortization formula and are accurate for the rates and terms shown. Advertised lender rates were current in 2026 and assume strong credit; your actual offer depends on your credit profile, the bike, the term and the lender.