Simon Hancocks

Editor

Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!

Prior to Visordown, Toad worked in the motorcycle insurance industry, before creating a role at a small motorcycle website and starting his journey as a journalist and road tester.

Since then Toad has launched bikes on all of the world's continents that aren't permanently frozen, covered hundreds of thousands of road test miles and always maintains that a bad day on a bike is better than a good day in a car!

Toad is happiest when touring through Europe, hammering a big adventure motorcycle up a trail, or riding around a race track, his favourite is Jerez, accompanied by a Panigale V4! He had a go at trials once, but it'd didn't go terribly well - his ambition definitely outweighed talent!

Now Toad is working through the restoration of a classic Ducati sports bike, and yes, it's taking much longer than he planned.

The Clarke CDP152B 12-Speed Drill Press (230V)
Clarke CDP152B 12-Speed Drill Press review
Perfect holes in steel alloys, aluminium, ABS plastic, or whatever else takes your fancy can be done accurately and safely with the Clarke CDP152B drill press.
The Clarke MFL800R Rechargeable Multi Function Work Light
Clarke MFL800R rechargeable work light review
A swivel head, magnetic base and five-hour battery make this ideal for roadside fixes and late-night garage jobs alike.
Clarke JSM1200 1200A Jumpstart review
One charge for 20 starts, Clarke’s tiny powerhouse
A 498g jump starter that powers phones, revives engines and might just save your trip - this is the Clarke JSM1200 1200A Jumpstart
Ducati to open London dealership
Motorcycles largely forgotten in the Autumn Budget, but that might be a good thing
A mileage-based charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars from 2028 and a short-term freeze in fuel duty were among the key changes in the Autumn Budget 2025.