It felt like the winter was never going to end but now that the snow is gone and summer is almost here, it is time to once again feel the freedom of the open road.

The only better feeling than driving down the highway feeling the wind blow past is saving money. With gas prices climbing higher, a motorbike can be a good option to saving money on fuel; however if consumers are not careful, the money they save on gas can be eaten away by insurance costs.

Because there is an inherent risk when driving a motorcycle, the insurance can be expensive but there some options to help consumers save as many pennies as they can. The first option (it’s kind of obvious) is to shop around. Not every insurance company is the same and they are going to offer different products at different prices. If you already have home or auto insurance talk to your current insurance agency as they just might add your new toy under your policy.

Because of higher risks, some insurance companies will request a separate policy for a motorbike.

There are many different factors that will affect the price of motorbike insurance from how old the bike is to how it is stored in the winter.

Although insurance laws are different in each state, basic liability cover is mandatory for all riders in the U.S. Liability cover is used to cover the rider against any damage that might have occurred during the accident.

The following are five tips to help consumers cut down on their motorcycle insurance:

1 – Ride an older bike

Part of the insurance policy is based on the worth of the bike. Insurance on a new bike will cost a lot more than one that is a few years older. If you are in the market for another bike and want cheaper insurance then a good option would be a cruising bike. Sport bikes have higher insurance costs because they have higher speeds.

2 – Take lessons

This is a big question on most insurance forms. Having proof that you took a professional motorcycling driving course can make a positive dent in the bottom line of our insurance policy. Most insurance companies actually recommend taking a driving course. Before signing up for any course, call your insurance company to find out which ones are recognized.

3 – Understand Your Coverage

Pointed out earlier, all riders are required have basic liability insurance. The basic coverage available by most companies is 15/30/10. To break it down the company will pay up to $15,000 for injuries sustained by third party; the company will pay a total of $30,000 for injuries for the rider and $10,000 for any property damage. The more coverage the rider has the higher the cost. Obviously this rate is relatively low and most riders opt to have a 100/300/100 policy.

4 – Keep Your Bike Safe

For most riders the motorcycle season only last a few months from about May to October. A bike that is stored in a secure garage during the winter will help lower the costs of your overall insurance if you have a policy that protects against theft. Using a variety of security features like wheel locks or a security cover will also help reduce your bottom line. Remember to ask your insurance company what security features they recognize.

5 – Know your Credit Score

This may sound ridiculous but your credit score can have a big impact on your insurance policy. The worse your credit score is the higher your policy will cost. Most insurance companies believe that people with lower credit scores are more likely to default on their payment or even submit more insurance claims.

Ultimately, the best way to reduce your insurance costs is to have an impeccable driving record and a long history, which means driving responsibly and obeying all traffic laws. But accidents do happen so it is best to be prepared with the right coverage.

Raychel Davis is a social media advocate at CreditDonkey, where motorcycle enthusiast can find the best gas credit cards to take the bite out of $4/gallon gas.