Cost
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,549
Likes: 1,927
From: NE Florida
Harley owners come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Everyone makes their own financial decisions on how to pay for their bike. But I think of it in these terms. YMMV
1. Drops $40k cash on a Harley and it doesn't affect their wallet.
2. Buys a new Harley with cash savings and is happy.
3. Buys a new Harley and finances it at 3% - 5%. Could pay cash but puts their money to work and earns an 18% return. Loan payment doesn't make a blip on the radar in monthly expenses.
4. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Loan payment is affordable and budgeted for each month.
5. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Has to make sacrifices and the payment is a big stretch.
6. Buys a new Harley and finances it paying 15% interest because their credit score is 550. Finally realizes they can't afford the bike and sells it 6 months later but they're upside down in the loan.
My guess is that most Harley owners are in categories 3-5.
1. Drops $40k cash on a Harley and it doesn't affect their wallet.
2. Buys a new Harley with cash savings and is happy.
3. Buys a new Harley and finances it at 3% - 5%. Could pay cash but puts their money to work and earns an 18% return. Loan payment doesn't make a blip on the radar in monthly expenses.
4. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Loan payment is affordable and budgeted for each month.
5. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Has to make sacrifices and the payment is a big stretch.
6. Buys a new Harley and finances it paying 15% interest because their credit score is 550. Finally realizes they can't afford the bike and sells it 6 months later but they're upside down in the loan.
My guess is that most Harley owners are in categories 3-5.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,035
Likes: 10,766
From: SE Michigan
Harley owners come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Everyone makes their own financial decisions on how to pay for their bike. But I think of it in these terms. YMMV
1. Drops $40k cash on a Harley and it doesn't affect their wallet.
2. Buys a new Harley with cash savings and is happy.
3. Buys a new Harley and finances it at 3% - 5%. Could pay cash but puts their money to work and earns an 18% return. Loan payment doesn't make a blip on the radar in monthly expenses.
4. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Loan payment is affordable and budgeted for each month.
5. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Has to make sacrifices and the payment is a big stretch.
6. Buys a new Harley and finances it paying 15% interest because their credit score is 550. Finally realizes they can't afford the bike and sells it 6 months later but they're upside down in the loan.
My guess is that most Harley owners are in categories 3-5.
1. Drops $40k cash on a Harley and it doesn't affect their wallet.
2. Buys a new Harley with cash savings and is happy.
3. Buys a new Harley and finances it at 3% - 5%. Could pay cash but puts their money to work and earns an 18% return. Loan payment doesn't make a blip on the radar in monthly expenses.
4. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Loan payment is affordable and budgeted for each month.
5. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Has to make sacrifices and the payment is a big stretch.
6. Buys a new Harley and finances it paying 15% interest because their credit score is 550. Finally realizes they can't afford the bike and sells it 6 months later but they're upside down in the loan.
My guess is that most Harley owners are in categories 3-5.
some just can't grasp the concept, not all men are the same....and we definitely weren't all created equal
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,534
Likes: 3,938
From: Virginia
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,870
Likes: 571
From: Raleigh NC
I'm 75 years old, just bought a 2022 CVO Triglide, also have a 2021 Heritage. I made my money and I'll spend it while I can enjoy it. My wife and kids will have what I leave them spent before they put the last screw in the coffin lid 
.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,821
Likes: 4,381
From: Texas
Harley owners come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Everyone makes their own financial decisions on how to pay for their bike. But I think of it in these terms. YMMV
1. Drops $40k cash on a Harley and it doesn't affect their wallet.
2. Buys a new Harley with cash savings and is happy.
3. Buys a new Harley and finances it at 3% - 5%. Could pay cash but puts their money to work and earns an 18% return. Loan payment doesn't make a blip on the radar in monthly expenses.
4. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Loan payment is affordable and budgeted for each month.
5. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Has to make sacrifices and the payment is a big stretch.
6. Buys a new Harley and finances it paying 15% interest because their credit score is 550. Finally realizes they can't afford the bike and sells it 6 months later but they're upside down in the loan.
My guess is that most Harley owners are in categories 3-5.
1. Drops $40k cash on a Harley and it doesn't affect their wallet.
2. Buys a new Harley with cash savings and is happy.
3. Buys a new Harley and finances it at 3% - 5%. Could pay cash but puts their money to work and earns an 18% return. Loan payment doesn't make a blip on the radar in monthly expenses.
4. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Loan payment is affordable and budgeted for each month.
5. Buys a new Harley and finances it because they don't have an extra $30k in the bank to spend on a toy. Has to make sacrifices and the payment is a big stretch.
6. Buys a new Harley and finances it paying 15% interest because their credit score is 550. Finally realizes they can't afford the bike and sells it 6 months later but they're upside down in the loan.
My guess is that most Harley owners are in categories 3-5.
Last edited by BrandonSmith; Nov 2, 2022 at 07:56 AM.
