Rates for motorcycle insurance can vary a lot from company to company. Some insurance companies offer discounts to riders who are members of organized riding clubs, especially ones that offer rider safety programs such as BMW's Motorcycle Driver Training. Some insurance companies will lower your premiums if you are willing to take a course with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Rates can also vary from one type of motorcycle to another. Like auto insurance, some companies charge more for the faster, more powerful bikes than they would for a touring bike, for example. Some companies also charge more for riders who take passengers.
Another option to consider when trying to find cheap motorcycle insurance is whether or not you will need collision and comprehensive coverage. This is the part of the coverage that will pay to repair or replace your motorcycle after a crash. If your motorcycle is not an expensive model you might be able to pay less by not choosing this option.
One of the biggest pieces of advice motorcycle owners should take when shopping for cheap motorcycle insurance is also the simplest; unfortunately, it is also the one piece of advice most do not follow: shop around. Rather than taking the first or second quote you receive, call several insurance companies before coming to a decision. You will be surprised at how much the rates may vary from one to the other. Some companies simply feel that the liability for motorcycles is too high and are essentially pricing themselves higher to cover perceived costs.