Leasing could work very well for the dealers depending on how it is structured. It is one way to get low mileage used vehicles to sell and the risk to the dealer is fairly low. For a buyer, it just depends on how you feel about paying for all the depreciation of the bike plus some and then not owning anything.

 

This is my thought also. I see bikes all the time of people who are strictly "Harley Owners" Bone stock, no upgrades and no desire for them.
A lease would appeal to these folks anytime.

 

I would think the opposite would be true. A lease works well in the auto industry when the person puts on low miles each year, and isn't nicked at the end for a high mileage charge. They get a fixed cost of operating, and a new vehicle every couple of years.

With all the garage queens with just a few hundred or thousand miles on them, Harley (or the leasing company) would get a low mileage bike back to resell.

 

When you lease a car, not only can you be charged for high mileage, but also for damage, when you turn it back in. The leasing company expects them to be returned with normal wear and tear, not all beat up.

Over the years, I've bought several two year old "lease backs" to use as business vehicles. Not only were they in pristine condition, the maintainance records were superb, compared to used cars. Leases have a lot of legal clauses in them, and maintainance can be one of them.

 

Not to me they won't.

 

+1 I would agree with this. I would lease a bike for 1 year and then if I liked it buy out the lease. I do this with most cars now to avoid lemons as you usually find out in the first year. Lots of Sportster lease owners would go 1-2 years then turn it in and lease a bigger bike. The the dealers could create a "certified" used bike with the extended warranty at several thousand off new pricing. I would be very open to buying a 2 year old bike with 8-10,000 miles and a 5 year warranty for 75% of new pricing.

 

That's true too. Good for the stealer and the person who's looking for a bike with low milage.

 

Would be easier to justify as a "business expense" !

 

Never lease any vehicle unless it can be used as a business write off. Leasing is a huge increase in total ownership cost over buying. It is for foolish folks that can't save and want things right now.

I can see it now. Turn the bike in at three years and they want to do a lot of stuff on it and you are stuck.

 

Bingo! Company car uh I mean vehicle (bike)