Dust off those chaps, dig out the black leather jacket from moth balls, polish that helmet, read this story, and call your insurance company. Not necessarily in that order. Savvy as you might be about insurance, did you ever turn down tips that could squeeze more mileage from your insurance dollar? Here are some hints that can help while pondering coverage for your bike.

The kind of insurance required for your bike will vary depending on where you live. Nine states do not require bikers to buy insurance. In the states that require insurance, you will have to buy at least the minimum liability coverages.

Some states also require you to purchase personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage, in addition to your liability insurance.

If you took out a loan to pay for your bike, your lender will probably make you get comprehensive and collision coverage, as well. You may also want to consider getting medical payments coverage, especially if you do not have health insurance. Medical payments will pay medical expenses for you and your passengers in the case of an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

While liability coverage will also cover medical expenses for your passengers (but not for you), it will take longer to settle your claim because you would have to prove liability. Because it is much more likely that you will get hurt or that your bike will be damaged if there is an accident, comprehensive, collision, and medical payments coverages will probably cost more than the liability portion of your policy.

Insuring motorcycles can be pricey because of the high risk they pose, and although you cannot control some of the factors involved in your insurance premium — your age and where you live, for example — controlling costs where you can is paramount. Here are some discount tracks you can take:

Insure it part time
Somemotorcycle fanatics drive their bikes year-round, but many bikers let their wheels hibernate for at least three months. There is no need to fully insure your cycle if it is stored for an extended period of time, so many insurers offer seasonal policies that cover your bike for six to nine months out of the year, and that translates into savings for you.

Take a motorcycle-safety course
Some states require these courses before they will issue a motorcycle license. Even in states that do not, you can count on a 10 percent to 15 percent discount on your policy for completing one. Check with your insurance company before you sign up, though. Some companies only recognize certain programs. If you have been riding for a while, you might be able to get a discount for taking a refresher course.

Raise those deductibles
A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before the coverage kicks in. The higher the deductible, the less likely it is that you will file a claim. That equates to a lower premium. Make sure, though, that you can afford to absorb the cost of the deductible you choose.

Double up
If you have got more than one bike, or if you live with someone else who rides, you can usually get a multiple-vehicle discount. Likewise, it may be worth your while to add your motorcycle to your car insurance policy. But shop around to make sure you are really getting the best deal.

Invest in an antitheft device
If you have got a nice bike, or if you had to fines are that you have taken out comprehensive coverage, which protects against theft, fire, and other damages not caused by an accident. Some companies offer a discount on comprehensive coverage if you have an antitheft device.

Maintain a good driving record
Motorcycle insurance companies use your driving history to determine rates. How you drive a car usually indicates how you will drive a motorcycle. If you have only recently obtained a drivers license, you might want to wait a year or two before getting a bike. Provided you stay out of trouble, your rates will be lower once you are an "experienced" driver.

Ride with "brothers and sisters"
Membership in a motorcycle club, such as the American Motorcycle Association, BMW Motorcyle Owners of America, Harley Owners Group, or Retreads, can also shave some bucks off the insurance premium.