Can I say first off, that what I say now is not any official report, simply my findings on the police spec ST1300.
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I felt very sad when I first heard about the officer in Liverpool. It came through on an email to one of my supervisors. Here was a guy training to do what is one of the most enjoyable aspects of policing and dies doing so. I really feel for his family and colleagues.
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Until earlier this year I was allocated an older Pan, the ST1100. I felt this was a superb bike, easy to lift onto the centre stand, panniers correct size to fit folding cones and A4 all weather writers in, handled perfectly but suffered slightly from a pulling forward feeling at your back at speed. Looks-wise, compared to the ST1300 the ST1100 is an ugly git.
Then I moved stations and was allocated a newish ST1300. I'd ridden them during training and when my old bike was in for a service but now I had one day in and day out. And although it is comfortable to ride, it knackers my back putting it on the centre stand, appears to have less useable capacity in the panniers and due to handling problems is now restricted to 100 mph!
Earlier this year all the force's ST1300 went back to ***** for modifications to the suspension because of horrendous weaves and tank slappers around 120 mph.
I don't know the costs of buying the bikes, refitting them to police spec and then modifying the suspension but when they came back I had to test ride mine (as we all did). I took the bike on a windless, dry day onto the motorway. The tyre pressures were correct, tyres in very good condition and I weigh 16 1/2 stone. (Probably 17 stone when togged in full protective gear). I had not changed the suspension settings from how it was received back from the factory.
The bike started to weave at 120 mph and when I tried to ride through it, the weave started to develop into a tank slapper. Its not just my bike, all but one of the motorcyclists report the same experience. (The one who didn't experience the problem is only about 11 stone). It is a frightening experience.
I do not know the weight of the radio, lights and messaging equipment fitted to police bikes. In the panniers I usually carry 4 fold away cones, a small first aid kit, waterproof jacket and trousers, A4 size all weather writer, breathaliser, tyre depth gauge and a few writing pads. A guess at the combined weight of stuff in the panniers being 4 to 5 kilos spread between the two panniers.
One of my sergeants has a civilian spec ST1300 pan and reports no problems whatsoever, even when touring fully loaded with a pillion abroad.
I like Hondas. The build quality is the best there is...in my opinion. It is a MUCH more comforatble bike to ride than the FJR, (we've got a police spec FJR), the ST1300 gives better weather protection than the FJR and the BMW (we have a couple of these), and is easier to patrol on. But the handling aspect is worrying. Having said that, the occasions where speeds in excess of 100 mph are needed do not happen (to me) on a daily basis. As an Advanced Police Rider I've been trained to ride at the maximum speed that the bike will allow. If I was VIP trained, that WOULD mean using well in excess of 100 mph many times and obviously the ST1300 is struggling in this area!
But what do I do if there is a report of someone driving dangerously and fast, say a mile or so further up the road? I can't catch them up if they are moving if I'm restricted to 100 mph.
Would I have an ST1300 for myself? Yes, if they were cheaper and I was a bit older. But I'd tend to leave it more on the side stand because it's balance for the centre stand is poor. My BMW Rockster is so well balanced here compared to the ST1300. Also, I say yes, I'd have one because I can't see myself reaching 120 mph when off duty.
So there you are! My opinions / experiences.
