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
3807 articles
General
22/01/20
The annual event sees Kawasaki dealers up and down the country running events and very special prizes
New Bikes
22/01/20
As the A2 licence crowd look to get in on the thrill of riding a naked bike, Visordown takes a look at two of the best A2 licence friendly naked bikes you can buy
General
22/01/20
In a move that other councils would do well to follow, Bath Council plan to allow motorcycle an exemption from the Clean Air Zone.
New Bikes
22/01/20
With the launch of the new 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade less than a week away, here’s everything we know so far
Top 10s
21/01/20
With naked motorcycles again making up a large proportion of the bikes sold in the UK, it’s only natural that the A2 licence crowd want a slice of the action!
General
21/01/20
The bike was built for the Fast and the Furious star in 2005 by Road Dog Customs
New Bikes
21/01/20
Find all the UK pricing for Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Vespa and Piaggio’s new and updated models right here
New Bikes
21/01/20
The Desert and Alpine feature special paint and finishes, higher spec and a more focused riding experience over the standard Tiger 1200
New Bikes
21/01/20
Visordown gives the definitive verdict on Kawasaki’s latest mid-weight naked, the Z650
Industry
21/01/20
Residential street charge-point funding doubled with plans in place to advise of real-time charger availability
General
20/01/20
The Royal Enfield 500 single cylinder engine will be discontinued due to Euro5 emissions regulations
Product News
20/01/20
The new display can provide the user with directions and caller information and is controlled by voice commands
General
20/01/20
Kawasaki looks to be working on their next supercharged engine which features an innovative injection system
First Ride
19/01/20
Kawasaki’s latest A2 licence challenger gets the Euro5 treatment, a new easy to read TFT dash, improved comfort and updated styling
First Ride
15/01/20
The Triumph Thruxton RS gets more power, better brakes, and new tyres. Visordown went along to the press riding launch to try the new motorcycle out
General
10/01/20
Speed is my Need is a feature-length doc-movie which chronicles the fall and rise of Leon Haslam to take the 2018 title.
New Bikes
10/01/20
The iconic combination of Triumph engine and Norton frame is once again being built by custom motorcycle shop icon Motorcycles
General
10/01/20
The Chilean Dakar racer took a moment during his special stage to perform a rather sweet trick for the chasing helicopter
Top 10s
10/01/20
With 2019 being a bumper year for naked motorcycles, Visordown goes through the top ten naked bikes we were lucky enough to ride in the last 12-months
Road Racing
10/01/20
He’ll be joined in the team by NW200 record holder Alastair Seeley
New Bikes
10/01/20
Harley-Davidson’s move into the small capacity motorcycle sector could take place as early as June this year when they launch the 388 for Asian markets
General
10/01/20
Harley-Davidson Sierra is the latest four-wheeled product from the company, just a year after they released the Ford F-150 based model
Product News
10/01/20
The new lid features 360-degree LED lighting, brake lights, indicators, a headlight, crash detection and Alexa technology!
Product News
10/01/20
Motorcycle clothing giants Alpinestars launch the Tech-Air 5, an airbag vest that can be worn under any jacket