Female motorcyclists donning leathers and hitting the road on two wheels are getting better insurance deals than their male counterparts.

Premiums for female bikers can be between five and 15 per cent lower than that for a male rider. This is not only on small bikes: women opting for large bikes are also benefiting.

According to the AA a 44 year-old shop photographer living in Swindon and driving a Honda CBR600F with comprehensive cover would be paying £174 if he was male and £158 if female, a difference of 10 per cent.

While an 18 year-old joiner living in Bristol and driving a three year-old Vespa ZIP50 with third party cover would be paying £580 if male and £504 if female, a difference of 14 per cent.

Andrea Crinnion, head of AA motorcycle insurance said: "We have seen an increase in the number of women taking out motorcycle insurance this year."

"This is more evident in London where there has been a general increase in the number of people taking up biking, mainly on smaller bikes, which we assume is due to drivers wishing to avoid the congestion charging."

"Women taking out cover benefit from lower rates, partly because of their better claims history but also as a result of insurers offering discounts to attract this type of biker."