It is well known that car insurance for women is cheap because ladies make fewer expensive claims on their motor insurance policies than men. However, recent research by Bennetts has revealed another motoring difference between men and women: the type of motorbikes they are most likely to crash.
The study looked at the number of motor insurance claims made by motorcycling men and women between 2005 and 2006. It found that the top five claims for women were made regarding accidents on Piaggio and Honda scooters, with top spot being filled by the Piaggio Vespa ET2.
Men, on the other hand, are most likely to crash unfaired Suzuki Bandit 600s, followed by bikes made by Piaggio and Yamaha, as well as two other Suzuki models.
Richard Olliffe, of the British Motorcyclists Federation, explained why scooter riders seemed to be so accident prone.
He said: "Many scooter riders are also younger riders. There is a propensity for young riders to be involved in accidents."
He added that the Suzuki Bandit model is particularly popular with new riders, which could explain its high accident rate.
Lee-Anne Bass, of the car insurance for women specialists CoverGirl Car Insurance Services, said: "Ladies who choose to ride the Piaggio Vespa ET2 aren't likely to see cheap motor insurance quotes as this model seems to be such a high risk."