Insurance.com recently reported on the many ways that motorcycles can end up costing their owners more than they expect. Click through the following pages for some examples from Insurance.com.

Training

You can't ride if you don't know how do it, so training classes are crucial for new riders. In some states, it's even a required step.

Matthew Jacobs, motorcycle product manager with Progressive, told Insurance.com that he recommends taking a motorcycle endorsement class early on in the decision-making process. “Making sure that you are a confident and safe driver is very important,” says Jacobs.

Costs vary, but about $300 is standard for a training class.

Gear

Motorcycle helmets — which are required in some states, but optional in others — can cost from $300-$600 or more, depending on the brand and style.

And that's just the start. You'll also need a riding jacket, boots, gloves and leathers for added protection, and $600 is just the starting point for all of that equipment. Insurance.com suggests budgeting another $200 for raingear if you choose to add that too.

Maintenance

Motorcycles tend to need more regular maintenance than cars do, and those shop visit costs can add up.

A spokesperson for the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) told Insurance.com that motorcycle maintenance spending averages about $138 year, with more than half of owners doing the work themselves. If you aren't comfortable with a wrench, plan on spending more to pay a pro to work on your bike.

Tires, which need to be replaced every 4,000 to 11,000 miles, can cost upward of $300 each for high-end sport bikes or closer to $100 each for cruisers. The average motorcycle owner spends about $105 a year on tires, according to the MIC.

Insurance

And here comes the big question: Is it cheaper to insure a car or a bike?

The answer: It depends on where you live.

Insurance.com priced out coverage on a used Honda motorcycle and a Honda Civic sedan for a rider in Florida. The bike would have cost about $71 a year to insure (based on state minimum liability levels), while the car would have cost about $830 a year.

In California, however, the bike would cost $209 to insure, versus $768 a year for the Civic.