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.
Articles By Simon Hancocks
3803 articles
General
07/04/25
The world-famous X Games competition has decided to ban battery-powered motorcycles from taking part in its freestyle MX competition
Viral
07/04/25
A project to mount a Ferrari V8 engine in a motorcycle is nearing completion, as Hazen Motorworks fires up the HF355 for the first time
New Bikes
07/04/25
The high-end watchmaker Richard Mille has joined forces with Brough to create a special edition model
General
07/04/25
Following reports of dangerous riding on the M11, the riders were intercepted at Birchanger Services near Stansted Airport
Motorbike
04/04/25
The most premium sports maxi scooter from Yamaha has been updated for 2025, as the TMAX Tech MAX receives updates
Off Road
03/04/25
The Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team is headed up by Paul Edmondson, with Jamie McCanney and Mikael Persson riding the TF 250-E
Industry
03/04/25
President Trump's latest raft of tariffs could be bad news for Harley-Davidson in some regions, according to market analysts
Motorbike
02/04/25
The biggest update in the history of the Yamaha MT-07 adds a level of class and compsure to Yamaha’s all-concouring middlewight
New Bikes
02/04/25
The extensive European motorcycle and scooter warranty program can last for up to six years and is linked to the bike, not the owner
Industry
02/04/25
The Hunter 350 accounted for a considerable amount of those sales, with Royal Enfield ending the financial year eleven per cent up year-on-year
Motorbike
01/04/25
The trickle-down in tech from the Panigale V4 continues, as the 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 gets a substantial update
Motorbike
21/03/25
BMW’s F900 XR gains updates for 2025, with revised suspension and now heated grips and DRL as standard
Motorbike
21/03/25
With an updated chassis, less weight and more tech, is 2025 the year that the F900 R steps into the limelight?
Industry
20/03/25
The cause is a claimed "decline in market demand" leading to a significant number of its staff being made redundant
Industry
20/03/25
Motorcycle exhausts are the centre of attention once more, as new rules are brought in to help limit excessive exhaust noise
General
20/03/25
Our expert guide to the best motorcycles for beginners from the motorbikes we’ve tested over the last 12 months
New Bikes
20/03/25
The new Panigale V4 Tricolore Italia is a homage to Ducati triumphing in Mugello in 2024 and just 163 units are set to be built
New Bikes
19/03/25
Triumph has released a teaser video showing its next step in the off-road segment in the form of new 250 and 450 enduro models
Motorbike
14/03/25
Do new electronics, a smidge more power, and electronic suspension make this the best Speed Triple ever made?
Motorbike
11/03/25
The all-new Yamaha R9 triumphed in its World SuperSport debut in racing trim, but what’s it like as a road bike?
Viral
10/03/25
The series, called ‘Visionaries’ sees Keanu Reeves and Arch co-founder, Gard Hollinger, teaming up with people to help them design the perfect motorcycle
General
10/03/25
Croig and Strange Industries have teamed up to build a truly one-of-a-kind Yamaha XSR900 which is helping to bring clean water to those that need it
General
10/03/25
At the hands of Alessandro Lupino the new Ducati Desmo250 MX claimed a third-place finish in the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship
Motorbike
07/03/25
It may have ‘only’ have 20bhp and 21lb ft of torque, but at just £3,949 the Honda GB350S provides many smiles per mile