Instead of saving and paying cash for it, which does nothing for your credit, get your buddy to co-sign. If you get the financing with him as a co-signer than you are on your way to building your own credit so in the future you will be able to get stand alone financing. Harley has a credit rebuilding program called the DELTA program that you should look into. After a year of on time payments you should be able to request a lower interest rate, or at least by that time have enough established credit to refinance for a lower rate. This is a better long term fix than simply paying cash and doing nothing for yourself in the long run. If you need help call your local dealer or let me know, I am what you might call a master of finance!!