Motorbike Finance: Road Bikes vs Dirt Bikes

Whether you're after a road bike for commuting and weekend rides, or a dirt bike for hitting the trails, finance can help you get on two wheels sooner. But there are some differences in how lenders view each type.

Road Bikes vs Dirt Bikes: Finance Differences

Road Bikes (Registered)

Road-registered motorcycles are generally easier to finance because:

• They're registered — creating a clear ownership record
• They hold value reasonably well
• They have a clear resale market
• Lenders can secure the loan against the asset

You can typically get competitive secured loan rates, similar to car finance.

Dirt Bikes (Unregistered)

Unregistered dirt bikes, trail bikes, and motocross bikes can be trickier to finance:

• No registration means harder to track/secure
• Higher risk of damage
• Values can be harder to verify
• Smaller resale market for some models

Some lenders won't finance unregistered bikes at all. Others will, but may charge higher rates or require a larger deposit.

What Affects Your Motorbike Loan?

1. Type of Bike

• Commuter/learner bikes: Easy to finance, good rates
• Sports bikes: May have slightly higher rates (insurance risk)
• Cruisers/tourers: Generally easy, hold value well
• Adventure bikes: Popular and easy to finance
• Dirt/MX bikes: Fewer lender options, may need unsecured loan

2. New vs Used

• New: Easier to finance, better rates, clear value
• Used: Still financeable, rates may be slightly higher for older bikes
• Age limits: Many lenders won't finance bikes over 10-15 years old (at loan end)

3. Loan Amount

Motorbikes are often cheaper than cars, which can create issues:

• Some lenders have minimum loan amounts ($5,000 - $8,000)
• Very small loans may not be cost-effective after fees
• You might be better saving for a cheaper bike rather than financing

4. Your Licence

Having the right motorcycle licence shows lenders you're serious. If you're still on a learner permit, some lenders may be more cautious (though it's not usually a deal-breaker).

Finance Options for Motorbikes

Secured Motorcycle Loan

The bike is used as security. Best rates, works well for road-registered bikes.

Unsecured Personal Loan

No asset security required. Higher rates, but works for dirt bikes and situations where secured finance isn't available.

Dealer Finance

Available at motorcycle dealerships. Convenient, but always compare to other options — dealer finance isn't always competitive.

Typical Motorbike Finance Terms

• Loan amounts: $5,000 - $50,000+ (depending on the bike)
• Loan terms: 1-7 years
• Interest rates: From around 6.75% for strong applicants with new road bikes
• Deposit: Not always required, but can help secure better rates

Tips for Financing a Motorbike

1. Get pre-approved — know your budget before you shop
2. Compare options — don't just accept dealer finance without checking alternatives
3. Consider total cost — include gear, insurance, and running costs in your budget
4. Check insurance first — some bikes (especially sports bikes) are expensive to insure
5. For dirt bikes — be prepared for fewer finance options; an unsecured loan may be the way to go

Gear and Accessories

Don't forget to budget for riding gear — helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and pants can easily add $1,000 - $3,000 for quality gear. Some lenders will let you include accessories in the loan; others won't.

The Bottom Line

Financing a motorbike is straightforward for road-registered bikes. Dirt bikes require a bit more work to find the right lender, but it's definitely possible. Either way, make sure the repayments fit your budget with room to spare for gear, insurance, and running costs.

Ready to ride? Get a motorbike finance quote — we finance road bikes, adventure bikes, cruisers, and yes, even dirt bikes.

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