A man described as "an encyclopaedia on bikes" died when he lost control of the motorbike he was riding, an inquest heard.

Andrew Leonard Wheaton, 34, of Stilton Park, Borehamwood, died in May this year in an accident in Stanmore while he was on his way to visit his girlfriend.

At Hornsey Coroner's Court last week, an inquest into Mr Wheaton's death heard that his "eyes lit up" when his friend, Michael Holroyd, who owned the 1200cc Yamaha bike he was riding, told him he could use it.

Mr Holroyd, manager of the Vine pub in Stanmore, told the court that his friend was far more knowledgable about the bike than he was. Andrew also spent a great deal of time cleaning and servicing the bike which was considerably more powerful than those he possessed himself.

The court also heard of Mr Wheaton's enthusiasm for motorbikes since he was 16-years-old. Mr Holroyd confirmed that his bike, referred to as the V-MAX, was a "powerful machine" which was fitted with an extended fuel tank.

Although it was not a racing bike, it was a "large, heavy bike" with a large engine. Mr Holroyd said his friend had ridden the bike on several occasions and was a careful driver. He also did not drink.

Also in court was Mr Wheaton's mother, Audrey Wheaton, with whom he lived. She spoke of her son's long-standing love of motorbikes. She said he was the sort of boy who did not like letting anyone down although his timing "was varied", a comment which was received with laughter by friends and family.

Eyewitnesses who saw events leading up to Mr Wheaton's death, including driver, Christopher Grimes, overtaken by him, reported seeing the rear of his front wheel "snaking" or "shaking vigorously".

Mr Grimes said he first saw the machine in his rear view mirror. When the bike pulled back into the correct lane at a slope in the road, he saw it "suddenly veer to the left" before hitting the kerb.

"The young man was thrown off the bike and hit the wall," said Mr Grimes, adding that there was no obstruction which could have caused the accident.

Accident investigator PC Colin Ponsford said that calculations revealed Mr Wheaton was travelling at a minimum of 34mph but that the speed could have been higher at the slope in the road.

An examination of the motorbike revealed there was no defect contributing to the accident. Motorbikes were prone to something referred to as "wobble" or "weave" which could happen to any rider irrespective of experience, PC Ponsford said. He added the fact that the rider had been travelling in excess of 30mph had been a factor which led to his losing control of the bike and skidding.

"Had he been travelling at 30mph it is probable that the accident would not have happened," he said.

A post mortem examination revealed the accident had torn two of the main chambers of Mr Wheaton's heart. Coroner Dr William Dolman recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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