Honda’s versatile ST1300 Pan European tourer motorcycle has been chosen by the UK's Automobile Association to enhance its two-wheel roadside assistance fleet.

The previous fleet of Honda Silver Wing 600's  and NT700VA Deauvilles supplied in 2008 reached the end of their service and the AA again chose Honda to supply the new fleet.

GOOD FOR LUGGAGE

In total, 50 ST1300 Pan Europeans in the distinctive yellowand black  AA livery will be riding around the streets of London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Derby and Nottingham, heavily traffic-congested areas which best suit a mixture of two and four-wheeled vehicles to service the AA’s members.

The Pan European was considered the most suitable motorcycle for road-side assistance by the AA for a number of reasons: its good luggage capacity in the form of top box and panniers, its superb versatility, performance and handling and its rider comfort.

Steve Ives, the AA’s Chief Engineer, said: "We carried out an extensive evaluation of a number of different motorcycle models but the Honda Pan European tipped the balance on a number of counts.

"It has an exceptional carrying capacity as standard, so our patrols can carry extra tools and equipment without the need for pannier upgrades.

"Other considerations were its larger battery, which will allow us to charge car batteries using the bike, the shaft drive for improved durability, as well as its excellent handling and comfort for the rider.

"The Pan European is a very capable bike that will allow our motorbike patrols to respond to a wider range of breakdowns than before. We have always had great service from them in the past so look forward to welcoming the Pan back as the flagship of the AA motorbike fleet."