Motorbike Finance Australia: Compare Loans from 50+ Lenders

On a $15,000 motorbike loan over five years, the gap between a secured and an unsecured loan typically adds $1,200 to $2,500 in extra interest. Secured loans cost less because the lender holds security over the bike.

With a secured motorbike loan, the lender registers a security interest against the bike's VIN on the PPSR, at a cost of around $2.00 for an online search. You own and ride the bike, but you can't sell it until the loan is repaid or the security is released. If you default, the lender can repossess the bike after the required notice period.

With an unsecured motorbike loan, the bike is yours outright from day one. You can sell it, modify it or trade it without lender permission, but the loan usually costs more because the lender is taking on more risk.

For the full comparison with worked examples, see Secured vs Unsecured Motorbike Loans: Which Saves You More?.

Used bikes make up more than half of all annual motorcycle sales in Australia, and the national motorcycle fleet has an average age of 12.9 years. Most lenders on Emu Money's panel finance both new and used motorbikes through the same application.

Bike age changes what's available. A bike under 3 years old is treated much like a new bike, with the widest choice of lenders and terms. Once a bike passes 5 to 7 years, some lenders start tightening loan-to-value ratios or shortening the maximum term. Lenders typically cap secured finance at bikes that are 7 to 10 years old at settlement, after which secured options narrow and unsecured finance becomes the more realistic path.

The ATO sets an effective life of 7 years for motorcycles, which lenders often use as a reference point when assessing depreciation and residual value on older bikes.

For what changes in the application, security assessment and pricing when you buy second hand, see Used Motorbike Finance in Australia: What Changes When You Buy Second Hand.

Motorbike finance rates are not fixed figures. They're calculated for each application based on your credit score, the age and value of the bike, your loan term and whether you choose secured or unsecured finance.

Your credit history carries the most weight. A clean file with no missed payments or defaults in the past 12 months puts you in the strongest position for a competitive rate. The bike itself matters too: newer bikes with a stable resale value support lower rates, while a bike close to the 7 to 10 year secured cap will usually cost more to finance.

Loan term also plays a role. A shorter term generally reduces the total interest you pay, even if the annual rate is similar to a longer term, because you're paying it off faster.

For typical rate ranges by credit profile and bike age, see Motorbike Finance Rates in Australia: What to Expect in 2026.

To apply for motorbike finance, lenders want to see that you can comfortably manage the repayments. They'll look at your income, credit score, employment stability and recent bank statements, alongside details of the bike you're buying.

You may be eligible if you are an Australian resident aged 18 or over, earning a regular income (PAYG or self-employed), and able to provide payslips or bank statements. You don't need a motorcycle licence to apply for finance, but you'll need one to register, insure and legally ride the bike once it's yours.

Documents you'll typically need: photo ID (licence or passport), recent payslips or bank statements, employment or ABN details, and the bike's details (VIN, rego, invoice or quote).

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the application, see How to Finance a Motorbike in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Dealer finance is convenient. Arranging finance at the point of sale saves a separate application, but dealers typically add a margin to the rate the lender offers them, so the headline rate quoted at the showroom is rarely the lowest one available.

A broker compares your application across a panel of lenders instead of a single dealer finance provider. Emu Money compares options from 50+ lenders in one application, so you can see secured and unsecured offers side by side before committing.

The trade-off is speed versus choice. Dealer finance can settle the same day you sign, while a broker application takes a little longer to compare offers but gives you more room to find a rate that suits your credit profile and the bike you're buying.

Yes, you can get motorbike finance with bad credit in Australia. Specialist non-bank lenders on Emu Money's panel assess your current income and situation, not just your credit score, though you should expect a higher rate than a borrower with a clean file.

What matters most to specialist lenders is the age and type of your credit issues. A small telco default reads differently to a larger personal loan default, and how recently it happened matters more than the fact that it happened at all.

A deposit or a secured loan structure can improve your options, since it reduces the lender's risk. If your credit isn't perfect, specialist lenders may still be able to help.

For strategies on strengthening your application and what lenders look for, see Motorbike Finance with Bad Credit in Australia.

Electric motorbikes are becoming a realistic option alongside petrol bikes, with models available from around $5,650 up to roughly $49,000 depending on the brand, range and performance tier.

Financing an electric motorbike works the same way as a petrol bike: you can apply for secured or unsecured finance, with loan amounts from $2,000 to $50,000+ depending on the model. Battery health and warranty terms are increasingly part of how lenders assess older second-hand electric bikes as security.

For a look at current models, price ranges and running costs, see Electric Motorbikes in Australia: Models and Costs.

A few decisions can meaningfully change what your motorbike loan costs. Comparing secured and unsecured options is the biggest lever: on a $15,000 loan over 5 years, the gap between the two can be $1,200 to $2,500 in extra interest, so it's worth checking a secured option even if you're used to unsecured personal loans.

A balloon payment lowers your monthly instalment by leaving a lump sum due at the end of the term. It can free up cash flow, but only makes sense if you have a plan to cover that final payment, whether that's savings, refinancing or selling the bike.

Bundling extras like gear, accessories or insurance into the loan means one repayment instead of multiple, but it also increases the amount you're financing and the total interest paid, so weigh the convenience against the cost.

Comparing through a broker rather than accepting the first dealer finance offer is one of the simplest ways to check you're getting a competitive rate for your credit profile and bike.