Bikers have always had to face high premiums, but now there are more opportunities than ever to cut the cost of your motorcycle insurance.

By using the many price comparison sites available on the internet it is easy to search for the cheapest deals around.

Thirty years ago bike insurance was so high that many were put off getting a bike at all.

The problem is that motorcyclists offer a greater risk to insurance companies. When involved in accidents motorbikes will inevitably come off worse. Unprotected and often travelling at high speeds, precariously balanced on two wheels, the motorbike compares unfavourably with the car for safety.

Typically the toys of excitable young men, the rate of accidents is much higher with the consequences often more serious.

Despite these dangers the market is becoming more competitive for motorcyclists, with more and more cheaper options available.

Paul Eversley, 45, who has been riding bikes since he was 18 is currently paying a tiny £61 per year for his cover. To bring the cost of his insurance down, his bike is parked in a garage overnight as well as fitted with an alarm. In addition, Paul has never had to make a claim.

Paul benefits from a long no claims bonus, but despite that as recently as 5 years ago he was paying £300 for his insurance, almost 5 times as much.

In order to keep your bike insurance affordable, new bikers are advised to start out with something less powerful and build up to more powerful models as you build up a no claims bonus, making the cost of insuring even a powerful bike much more manageable.

Many bike owners will not rely on their bike as their sole means of transport, another factor which will bring costs down. If you have a car which you use as your main mode of transport your bike insurance should be cheaper due to the fact that you will be less likely to use your bike in unfavourable conditions.