As is the case for car drivers, when you take out bike insurance cover your age will inevitably be taken into account. However, while over-25s will tend to see more favourable rates surfacing in their car policies, for bikers anyone under the age of 30 will typically find themselves at the mercy of higher rates.

This is understandable given the higher personal safety risks associated with driving a motorbike, but it means that the first port of call for all younger riders - especially under-21s - should be to explore the cost of third-party insurance on one of their parent's vehicles.

Another familiar theme that takes on a slightly unique twist in relation to bike insurance is the issue of security. To put it bluntly: nabbing a bike is a heck of a lot easier than stealing a car.

For that reason, the security measures you put in place when leaving your motorbike will be of paramount importance to any insurer. Check with your provider about which bolts and locks will earn you the highest discounts, but don't stop there. The very thing that makes motorbikes so vulnerable - their portability - also makes them easier to safeguard, so if at all possible make sure you keep your bike indoors.

Next up, as with car insurance, when you take out cover for your motorbike you will be asked to provide an estimate of your annual mileage. This will have a direct bearing on the amount you pay for your cover, so it's important to make sure you don't overestimate your usage. The average motorbike mileage is just 4,000 per year, and for people who also drive a car that figure can be even lower.

And of course no money-saving insurance guide would be complete without referring to the much-celebrated 'no claims bonus', which becomes even more relevant for motorcyclists as second-year bonus discounts can reach as much as 40 per cent - more than double what most car drivers enjoy.

Of course there are a number of other things to bear in mind, many of which largely revolve around common sense. Perhaps the most important of these is the staple rule that lower-performing engines translate into insurance premiums, so opting for the most souped-up machine is one sure-fire way of steering clear of cheap bike cover.

At the same time though you'll probably be surprised to hear that, in sharp contrast to car insurance, superficial modifications to your bike will rarely have a negative impact on your insurance premiums. This means bikers can indulge in a little more guilt-free expressionism than their car-driving counterparts - but as ever be sure to phone up your insurer before undertaking any drastic modifications, especially those affecting engine power.

Finally, it's worth remembering that insurers will always take your postcode into account. And with the Motorcycle Industry Association estimating that motorbikes can cut journey times in the capital by an average of 48 per cent, Londoners in particular must be prepared to fork out a little extra for their increased mobility.