Alan Taylor, 36, of Aytoun Drive, Erskine, who was riding a Yamaha RI, crossed into the oncoming carriageway at a sharp bend.

His bike smashed into the Honda Blackbird being ridden by dad-of-two William Murray, who died days later from his injuries.

Taylor was originally charged with causing death by dangerous driving, but yesterday (Tues) at the High Court in Glasgow the jury found him guilty of a reduced charge of death by careless driving.

The court heard that Taylor has two previous convictions for speeding and one for being on a mobile phone. These offences were committed in his works van.

Taylor, a kitchen fitter, claimed in evidence that as he approached the bend on the A83 at Strone Point, near Inveraray, Argyllshire, on September 29, 2013. Mr Murray's body was on his side of the road.

He said that he went onto the wrong side of the road to go past Mr Murray on the inside.

Taylor said: “When I approached that bend Mr Murray was leaning on to my side of the carriageway. I took evasive action. How the bikes collided I don't know. I made a split second decision. I stand by that decision.” The court heard that Taylor had gone to Inveraray on his bike and was on his way home when the collision took place.

However, an expert police witness who reconstructed the crash and examined the two bikes said it only made sense if both were upright at the point of collision.

When quizzed about that Taylor said: “That's his own view,” and denied going into the bend too fast.

But, three witnesses driving in a hire car behind Mr Murray were adamant that he was riding his bike in the centre of his lane. They also said they saw Taylor's bike on the wrong side of the road.

Nic Robertson, 53, a senior international correspondent for CNN, told of how he and two friends were driving from Glasgow Airport towards Mull.

Mr Robertson told advocate depute Alan Nicol, prosecuting, that as they travelled towards Inveraray they were overtaken by the bike ridden by Mr Murray.

He said: “He overtook, but didn't zoom off up the road. We thought he wanted to enjoy the scene without a car in front of him. He was going at a sensible pace and was on his side of the white line in the middle of the carriageway..

“Another motorbike came round the corner coming from Inveraray. It was on the wrong side of the road and going towards the bike in front of us.

“The gentleman riding the bike which was on the wrong side of the road was catapulted into the air and lay spread-eagled on the ground and the other gentleman was tangled up in his bike.” Mr Robertson told the court that he is trained in battlefield first aid and got out his car to go and help.

He said that Taylor after a few minutes got up and took his helmet off revealing a large gash on his head.

When asked about Mr Murray's condition Mr Robertson said: “He appeared to have a collapsed lung. We removed his helmet and I could see blood in his ears. He never showed any signs of consciousness despite us talking to him.” The court heard that Mr Murray, from Kilmarnock, died from head injuries he sustained in the road traffic accident at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, on October 9, 2013.

Yvonne Kerr, 44, who was Mr Murray's partner for 24 years and mother of his two children, sobbed as she said: “He was my soulmate and best friend and that has been taken away. It was the first time I experienced a broken heart. His death has left a big hole in our life.” She said that Mr Murray had gone for a ride on his bike on the morning of Sunday, September 29, 2013, and she knew there was something wrong when he was late home.

Miss Kerr, a secretary, said: I knew something was wrong that day because he was so punctual. I realised it was not like him to be as late.” She said that two police officers came to the family home and told her her husband had been in an accident and was in hospital.

Judge Lord Brodie deferred sentence on Taylor until August 26 at the High Court in Edinburgh for background reports.