Idaho dad wants to use $200,000 inheritance to buy new Harley-Davidson before paying off mortgage but experts explain why he shouldn't

An Idaho dad just received a $200,000 inheritance and immediately set his sights on a new Harley-Davidson.

A fully equipped Low Rider S, priced at around $30,000.

But when he called into Dave Ramsey’s national financial-advice radio show, the reaction wasn’t what he expected.

Turns out, financial experts believe there are better ways he could be using the money.

DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

The $200,000 inheritance and the Harley-Davidson he’s set on

Alexander, calling into the show from Idaho, said he’d just inherited around $200,000. 

Part of it was in savings, part in a mutual fund, and one slice he says is earmarked for a Harley-Davidson Low Rider S that would cost about $30,000 once he adds the extras.

On paper, it sounds like a harmless treat after a windfall. 

But the rest of Alexander’s numbers tell a very different story. 

He and his wife bring home about $85,000 a year to support their family of four.

And every month, they spend roughly $1,000 more than they make.

That alone raised eyebrows for Ramsey. 

Then came the bigger issue: they still have a mortgage that they could wipe out with the inheritance. 

Instead, Alexander kept circling back to the bike and why he still felt it made sense.

As he talked, the hosts could hear him dodging the obvious fixes. 

That’s when Ramsey finally cut in with a line that landed hard:

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to help you, honey.”

See the full video and everything else he said, below.

Why the experts say he shouldn’t buy a bike right now

This is where the Harley dream starts to wobble. 

A motorcycle – especially a $30,000 one – is a fast-depreciating toy. 

Premier Motorsports estimates bikes lose 15-25 percent of their value in the first year, then another 7-10 percent annually. 

Alexander’s $30,000 bike could be worth around $22,500 before year one is up.

And that’s before ongoing insurance, fuel, and maintenance. 

But the real cost is what the money could be doing. 

Invest $30,000 at a 7 percent return, and it could grow to about $59,000 in 10 years. 

Put the same amount toward the mortgage, and it could shave years off the loan.

When a family is overspending every month, using savings on a non-essential vehicle isn’t just risky – it shakes the financial foundation they’re trying to build. 

One rough month, and that Harley becomes an expensive regret, not a reward.

If Alexander wants long-term stability, the experts say the bike can wait.

But the reality check can’t.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie