A retired police officer died after losing control of his faulty motorcycle on the A38.

Michael Boughton, 56, of The Grove, Paignton, was killed on the Exeter to Plymouth route at Whistley Hill near Ashburton on August 4, 2009.

Yesterday an inquest at the Town Hall was told his Honda Gold Wing – bought earlier that day – spun and hit a signpost while attempting to leave the main carriageway.

Accident investigators found it had an inoperable front brake, low tyre pressures and shock absorbers that did not work properly.