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.
Industry
19/03/20
With Matt Lavatich stepping down his role as CEO at Harley-Davidson, pressure is mounting to find his replacement
General
19/03/20
We’ve been spending some time with the new 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin to answer your questions
Industry
19/03/20
We take a look at the incoming motorcycle helmet safety regulations and how they could affect you and the products you buy
Top 10s
18/03/20
With it looking more and more like the UK population will be placed in lockdown in the coming days, here’s some ways you can spend the time productively
General
18/03/20
With the news that a study has found in-car infotainment systems distract drivers, Visordown wonders why it took this long…
General
18/03/20
If you’re looking for a sports-tourer from the old-school mould, the big GSX-S and the revised Ninja 1000 SX are two bikes in a small pond to choose from
Top 10s
18/03/20
The last 12 months has been a bit of a bumper period for new bikes, here’s the top ten as chosen by you
Viral
18/03/20
Toni Bous answer to self-isolation involves brushing his teeth, getting dressed and having a coffee – sounds pretty normal to me
MotoGP
18/03/20
The official MotoGP website is offering all members, free MotoGP races throughout the Coronavirus shutdown
General
17/03/20
An IAM survey has found that car infotainment systems can be as detrimental to a driver’s reaction times as alcohol and even cannabis are
New Bikes
17/03/20
Kawasaki has just patented its own hub-centre steering solution, despite just buying into Bimota who have their own
Gear
17/03/20
We’ve been putting some winter miles on the Spidi Adventure Gore 2 adventure motorcycle boots
General
17/03/20
In the grip of Coronavirus, the UK is being told to stay in doors and self-isolate. Here’s why it could be great for us motorcyclists
Industry
17/03/20
After last month's ‘Challenger Challenge’, Indian further go in on Harley-Davidson with an ambitious and expensive marketing spree
General
16/03/20
The bothers and teammates have both now passed their full motorcycle licences
New Bikes
16/03/20
The image shows an aggressively styled naked motorcycle built around a three-cylinder engine – sound familiar?
Gear
16/03/20
We’ve spent a winter of commuting, touring and riding in the desert in the Spidi Globetracker suit, here’s what we have learned so far
Industry
16/03/20
The 800c off-road machine uses KTM power and could be made to be A2 compliant
Industry
15/03/20
The move was made to try and protect staff and residents around the factory from the COVID-19 virus
Gear
15/03/20
Visordown went along to the Honda Adventure Centre in Devon to try out the new 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin
Road Test
14/03/20
Visordown took Honda’s latest CRF1100L Africa Twin for a mini-tour to Devon and a day of mud-plugging at the Honda Adventure Centre
Industry
13/03/20
With the chancellor getting out his red briefcase again this spring, Visordown looks at how the latest budget will affect us motorcyclists
Top 10s
13/03/20
Motorcycle leathers are a must for those looking to ride fast on road and track but who much should you spend and on which brand?
Industry
12/03/20
The secretary of state’s measures includes removing dynamic hard shoulders and speeding up the development of stopped vehicle detection