Simon Hancocks
Digital Content Manager
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.
3930 articles
General
17m ago
Royal Enfield returns to Wheels & Waves with a fresh fleet of custom builds, a fire-breathing sprint racer, and a golden ticket giveaway to Goa up for grabs
New Bikes
1h ago
UK bike sales dipped again in May, with industry insiders saying recovery is sluggish, consumer confidence shot, and a dithering government isn’t helping.
General
2h ago
The Home Office is to launch a consultation which could speed up the process of seizing and crushing nuisance motorcycles
General
06/06/25
The London Motorcycle Show has been axed, with organisers calling time on the south east’s biggest biker get together
New Bikes
06/06/25
Proposed EU end-of-life vehicle laws could see motorcycles swept up in red tape, with dire consequences for restorers, collectors and everyday riders.
General
06/06/25
Adur District Council has introduced motorcycle parking charges, which could cost you £7.20 when you visit
General
06/06/25
The Yamaha OW-01 was a ground-breaking homologation bike when it was launched, and this is a true time-warp example of it
New Bikes
06/06/25
Benda is going big with its next cruiser, with the Rock 707 featuring an auto clutch as well as air ride suspension!
General
06/06/25
A custom Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 is to be raffled, with all the proceeds going to two Dave Day charities
Product News
06/06/25
RST joins forces with D3O to roll out pro-grade armour across its 2026 lineup, starting with a limited-edition TT race suit debuting at the TT
Product News
06/06/25
REV’IT! brings modular versatility to the adventure touring scene. Tectonic provides a two-layer system for riders who don’t stop when the weather turns.
Road Racing
05/06/25
Amazon MGM Studios is bringing the iconic TT race to a global audience, picking up a new docuseries produced by Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum
New Bikes
05/06/25
KTM’s 2026 450 Rally Replica lands with limited numbers, Dakar-winning pedigree, and an ultra-rare Daniel Sanders Edition for the hardcore few.
General
05/06/25
The film features Charley Boorman and Paul Guillien as they trek through the Azores mid-way between their two home continents
New Bikes
05/06/25
Classic Legends is plotting its European and Asian expansion, with a raft of new motorcycles from BSA, Jawa, and Yedzi set to arrive
Industry
05/06/25
First was the chip shortage, now it's rare earth minerals restrictions from China that could hit the global automotive industry
General
05/06/25
Yamaha extends partnership with Riders for Health to keep healthcare rolling through the toughest African terrain
Viral
05/06/25
A couple of bikers had an unfortunate encounter with a rather rare pedestrian this week, after their bikes hit an alligator while out on a ride
Product News
05/06/25
Cardo’s June cashback deal puts money back in your pocket - and the flagship Packtalk Pro in reach for less
Industry
05/06/25
The Italian electric bike brand Energica could be pulled back from the brink, if reports from EV outlets are correct
General
04/06/25
Behind every life saved on the roadside in Devon and Cornwall, IMPACT is quietly rewriting the rulebook on what post-crash survival looks like.
New Bikes
04/06/25
Word of TVS’ new 450 engine has broken, and it’ll likely find its way into the new BMW 450 GS, and future Norton models
New Bikes
04/06/25
The bike boasts a higher spec level than the stock Moto Morini X-Cape 700, including more tech, equipment, and, of course, gold wheels!
General
04/06/25
A Sunderland teenager has been jailed for just four years after he stabbed a father who was trying to prevent him from stealing his bike