Hi Guys well the issue on this Highway policeman getting killed on his 1300 afraid was 9 November 2005, but the inquest only going on now. Incident happen while in high speed training on a motorway in Merseyside, full details were never fully been released but it involved rider overtaking and hitting a truck at very high speeds (approx 110mph) with a uncontrollable weave reported by the instructors following. A second policeman out training was also killed so after on his 1300 but note at low speeds and collided with a park vehicle.
This debate on the weave has opened up a huge response from other police forces in the UK, stating its excites and has been there since the 1300 was launched and adopted for the police and emergency services. Honda completely denied the problem and still do, but quickly brought out the top box spoiler and saying tires pressures were critical issue for the weave. (But sadly it did nothing to eliminate it)
This major concern on safety at high speeds has been mainly with the emergency services carrying extra equipment.
Its got to stage now since that November incident that many police regions are and have been withdrawing the 1300 from service completely and going back to the 1100 pan or BMWs.
It?s a bit of a tight lipped subject over here but some regions have told police riders not to buy 1300 even for they own personnel use. Many police riders if asked are open about the weave problem.
We have to openly admit the speed weave is over 90mph to 130mph and why are we doing that speed anyway and breaking the law. And would you have a claim against Honda if proven.
Its funny that here in UK pan riders who ride two up fully loaded report the weave less to almost zero then those riding solo with or without top box.
Here in the UK were 70mph is the limit but 80-90mph is normal. The pan sits at 90mph with out any indication of the speed. So its quite easy to get to drift up to a (possible) weave situation.
Fixed speed cameras are everywere in UK, in vans, mounted in unmarked cars and on bikes like Hayabusa to tail you on motorways. It?s a cat and mouse game now, which is a huge income for the police regions in fines alone, so yes we all do speed.
With the euro train now we can cross over and gain access to the autobahn with no speed limits, is were many off us who travel 100-130mph for long distances are aware that the weave comes and goes depending on road surface and wind direction. Its accepted now and it excites and those who do travel at these speeds are prepared to live with it.
It?s a fantastic bike the 1300 and not much can touch it, if asked only a few would consider a bike change for the above problem. Honda needs to be careful, as the public services are a big customer. UK police alone run nearly 500pans.
Voyager (UK North west Pan club)
