I'm part of HD's Advisory Panel, as I'm sure MANY other forum members are. This months survey had a very interesting topic.
I've always wondered, and even started a thread years ago, why you can't lease a motorcycle like you can a car. You can buy one, rent one, demo one, but can't lease one.
Well, now it seems Harley is jumping on that trend, too. Most of this months survey was geared towards getting our opinions on their proposed "Freedom To Ride" loan program. They boasted about lower monthly payments but at the end of the "loan" term you must either:
1) Trade the bike in on a new Harley
2) Sell the bike on your own and use the cash to pay off the remainder of the balance
3) Refinance the balance into a new loan
They never once used the word "lease" but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck!
So what does everyone think? Is this a good strategy to get younger folks into the Harley family who maybe can't afford the down payment or higher monthly payments of a conventional loan? Will there be lots of nice 2 and 3 year old bikes coming off of "lease" on the market in the future? Will this appeal to the folks who get a new bike every 2 or 3 years anyway? Now they can continue that strategy and have lower payments - just eliminates the chance to own the bike if you fall in love with it unless you refinance the balance at the end and end up paying more than you would have originally.
I've always wondered, and even started a thread years ago, why you can't lease a motorcycle like you can a car. You can buy one, rent one, demo one, but can't lease one.
Well, now it seems Harley is jumping on that trend, too. Most of this months survey was geared towards getting our opinions on their proposed "Freedom To Ride" loan program. They boasted about lower monthly payments but at the end of the "loan" term you must either:
1) Trade the bike in on a new Harley
2) Sell the bike on your own and use the cash to pay off the remainder of the balance
3) Refinance the balance into a new loan
They never once used the word "lease" but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck!
So what does everyone think? Is this a good strategy to get younger folks into the Harley family who maybe can't afford the down payment or higher monthly payments of a conventional loan? Will there be lots of nice 2 and 3 year old bikes coming off of "lease" on the market in the future? Will this appeal to the folks who get a new bike every 2 or 3 years anyway? Now they can continue that strategy and have lower payments - just eliminates the chance to own the bike if you fall in love with it unless you refinance the balance at the end and end up paying more than you would have originally.
Good point Dr, my guess is restrictions would state only H D accessories