General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

First Purchase Guideance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 03:19 PM
  #41  
Thumper09's Avatar
Thumper09
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Default

Harley did the same thing to me 8 months ago. I refinanced with Space Coast credit union. But, first I called Harley to ask them if they would refinance me at a more realistic rate and they practically laughed, and the girl actually said to me that "They got me out the door so they did their part, if I want a better rate I'd have to go somewhere else".

Then I thought, that's all Harley cares about really. That someone leaves the dealershp with one of their bikes. They'll finance anyone instantly to make it easy.

My suggestion is....if you want the bike really badly, get it. Wait 2 months and refinance it.

That's what I did.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 03:20 PM
  #42  
103 sedona orange's Avatar
103 sedona orange
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,850
Likes: 220
From: Sacramento, CA.
Default

Yes, Credit Union. Keep your bike & save up.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 03:21 PM
  #43  
Mike Lawless's Avatar
Mike Lawless
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Default

It's common practice for some dealers to upcharge the interest, and when they do, they get a kick-back from the finance company.

I was looking at a new pick-up last year, and I had already done my homework. Chrysler was offering 2.9%. I only needed to finance less than half the cost, and after much haggling and three or four "Get up and walk away from it" episodes, and we had the final price where it needed to be, they tried to add three percentage points to the financed amount. That was it. The final "Get up and walk away."
I still have my old truck.

But dude! if a credit union is only willing to extend 13.X%.....?
I'll just say being in debt with a bunch of high interest accounts ain't no picnic down the road.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 03:42 PM
  #44  
cam-921's Avatar
cam-921
Cruiser
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: New England
Default

"Shop the bike price" means stop focusing on the monthly payments. Get the otd price as low as you can, get the financing as low as you can, and the payments will be what they will be. Salesmen love guys that go in there saying "I want to pay $400 a month." They will make it so you pay $400 a month for 7 years ($33,600). You could take the same price, same interest rate, and cut to a five year loan. Your payments would be a little more a month but would save thousands over the life of the loan.
In full disclosure, I am just learning all this **** myself. My interest rate on my bike? 18.49%!! 7 years!! Total I will pay if the loan goes full term? A little over 26,000 for a 16,000 bike. Basically, the first 3 years of payments is the interest.
"Learn from other people's mistakes, because you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself"

Edit: that was the advice I would give a friend. Me personally, I would do it again tomorrow. I am also a fan of the philosophy that you only live once and tomorrow is not promised.
 

Last edited by cam-921; Aug 12, 2014 at 03:55 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 03:59 PM
  #45  
Bopple Hill Rd's Avatar
Bopple Hill Rd
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
Default

I'll just say being in debt with a bunch of high interest accounts ain't no picnic down the road.[/QUOTE]

AMEN to that! Things we want tend to lose their luster real quick once the reality of what it takes to get/keep 'em sets in. Your gut knows the right deal. You wouldn't have raised the issue here if it didn't. FIND THE RIGHT DEAL. Be patient and don't compromise.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 04:30 PM
  #46  
stro1965's Avatar
stro1965
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Default

Damn! Ouch! 17%? I was offered 4% through HD last week and told them to forget it, went straight to my CU and got the money for 1.75%. I guess I'm spoiled!
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 04:32 PM
  #47  
mister o's Avatar
mister o
Novice
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Default amen that

Originally Posted by dansax
Got good credit? Credit Unions are the way to go. My friend got 2 1/2% on his loan.
hard to beat credit union deals. there's a value in "not for profit."
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2014 | 08:51 PM
  #48  
mupepe's Avatar
mupepe
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

Just thought it might be helpful to some folks to know that "rate shopping" and applying for the same type of loan at different places does NOT hurt your credit. If they're done in the same general timeframe then it's calculated as one hard credit inquiry. You don't get dinged for every place you apply for your motorcycle loan.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 13, 2014 | 08:05 AM
  #49  
TAKITO SEXY's Avatar
TAKITO SEXY
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 489
Likes: 56
From: 6 ft. from the sun - TX
Default

Originally Posted by Thumper09
Harley did the same thing to me 8 months ago. I refinanced with Space Coast credit union. But, first I called Harley to ask them if they would refinance me at a more realistic rate and they practically laughed, and the girl actually said to me that "They got me out the door so they did their part, if I want a better rate I'd have to go somewhere else".

Then I thought, that's all Harley cares about really. That someone leaves the dealershp with one of their bikes. They'll finance anyone instantly to make it easy.

My suggestion is....if you want the bike really badly, get it. Wait 2 months and refinance it.

That's what I did.

Wow, obviously sales department do not look out for their customers, you're considered just another number and a bell ring (sale) to them. I kind of feel the same way, the lady I spoke to was not of much help per say, not that I say ladies do not know about bikes, but if you are going to be on sales at least she would sound or act more excited. Prime example, I asked if 2014 was throttle by wire or cable, she could assure me it was cable, which I already knew she was wrong and just wanted to close then and there.
Appreciate your feedback bro, definitely saving some nickels and dimes for the right bike.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2014 | 08:11 AM
  #50  
TAKITO SEXY's Avatar
TAKITO SEXY
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 489
Likes: 56
From: 6 ft. from the sun - TX
Default

Originally Posted by Mike Lawless
It's common practice for some dealers to upcharge the interest, and when they do, they get a kick-back from the finance company.

I was looking at a new pick-up last year, and I had already done my homework. Chrysler was offering 2.9%. I only needed to finance less than half the cost, and after much haggling and three or four "Get up and walk away from it" episodes, and we had the final price where it needed to be, they tried to add three percentage points to the financed amount. That was it. The final "Get up and walk away."
I still have my old truck.

But dude! if a credit union is only willing to extend 13.X%.....?
I'll just say being in debt with a bunch of high interest accounts ain't no picnic down the road.

Hi Mike, seems they wanted those three percentage points as an incentive for the salesman, some "$$$ under the table", or so it sounds. It is definitely unfair how some dealers conduct business, I have a cousin who has two brand new trucks, full size Tahoe and a Nissan pick up, he told me he was paying around $1k for both, my jaw literally dropped!! Thought to myself all the things I could do with that cash every month, that is more than what my mortgage is!!
But I do understand where you coming from, the gut feeling of knowing what is right and wrong, thanks for sharing.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:27 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE