Authors

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.

New Bikes

30/05/25

Moto Mornini X-Cape 1200: More Details Emerge Ahead of UK Launch

The Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 is nearing its UK launch date. And we now know a little more about the new adventure bike

New Bikes

30/05/25

The Yedzi Adventure Wants to Go After Royal Enfield’s Himalayan

Launched this spring in India, the new Yedzi Adventure boasts a 334cc engine and 28bhp. And it has it sights set on one model in particular.

Industry

29/05/25

Bajaj Auto Posts Strong Q4 Profits Following KTM Buyout

Bajaj has posted strong financial results off the back of saving KTM, and that is despite some minor setbacks

MotoGP

29/05/25

Jorge Martin Moves to Leave Aprilia “I exercise my right to release myself"

Jorge Martin has taken to social media and in one fell swoop confirms the rumours surrounding his Aprilia career

Industry

29/05/25

Harley-Davidson hints at return to small-capacity bikes as global market shifts

Harley-Davidson might finally be waking up to the realities of the modern motorcycle market, as its VP eyes more small-capacity bikes

Product News

29/05/25

These new Brembo Brakes Could Revolutionise the Act of Stopping

Brembo’s new Greentell Braking system looks to reduce particulate emissions without sacrificing performance

General

29/05/25

The Bonhams June Online Sale Boasts Bikes and ‘Foggy’ Memorabilia

Bonhams is holding an online motorcycle and memorabilia sale in June, with Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty and Mike Hailwood trophies up for grabs

MotoGP

29/05/25

MotoGP Star’s Season in Doubt After Suzuka 8 Hour Practice Crash

Luca Marini has suffered multiple severe injuries while testing his Honda CBR1000RR-R in preparation for the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race

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A Custom Oset Cafe Racer at Bike Shed Moto Show

New Bikes

29/05/25

Oset Stuns with Five Wild Custom Builds at the 2025 Bike Shed Show

Oset took some special versions of its electric trials bikes to the Bike Shed Moto Show, with five custom builds appearing at the event

The QJ Motor SRK 500 RA automatic gearbox sports bike

New Bikes

28/05/25

QJ Motor Just Quietly Unwrapped Its First Automatic Gearbox Motorcycle

The bike is heavily related to the QJ Motor SRK 500 RC, although the key difference is the new bike’s paddle-shift gearbox

General

28/05/25

Honda Scores Double Design Wins With EM1 e: and NC750X

The NC750X and EM1 e: have both picked up the gongs in two different design awards already in 2025

Commercial

28/05/25

Yamaha’s Y-AMT Gearbox: The Future of Shifting, but Have you Tried it?

Y-AMT has well and truly arrived, with three models, and more on the way, boasting the system. But who is it for, and how can you try it for yourself?