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.
General
04/02/25
The Triumph Factory Racing team and Jordon Smith won the fourth round of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship at Glendale, Arizona
General
04/02/25
Riders and drivers in Switzerland could be hit with vast fines if they drive or ride vehicles that break new regulations on avoidable noise
Motorbike
03/02/25
The launch of the new Multistrada V2 S gives us our first taste of the Borgo Panigale brand’s new 890cc V-twin
BSB
03/02/25
William Storey is back in the BSB paddock, as Rich Energy sponsors the C & L Fairburn Properties Look Forward Racing team
Viral
03/02/25
Stunt rider Magnus Carlsson has broken two records, one for the highest speed wheelie while riding the handlebars, and the other for riding a motorcycle backwards
Top 10s
31/01/25
Think scooters are small and insignificant? Think again. Large capacity ‘maxi’ scooters can be brilliant all-rounders – but which are the 10 best?
Motorbike
30/01/25
The 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp has received a host of chassis, styling and technological updates for 2025
Motorbike
29/01/25
The new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 becomes the Hinckley brand’s sportiest tourer, but can it match the more technological Tracer 9?
New Bikes
27/01/25
A new more powerful Speed Triple 1200 RS has been announced, pushing the RR out of the range in 2025
General
25/01/25
Yep, it’s happening! Less than a year after we reported on new patent filings, Kawasaki takes to social media to tease a new two-stroke motorcycle
Industry
24/01/25
The Pierer Mobility Group has today announced that Stefan Pierer is stepping aside for Gottfried Neumeister
General
23/01/25
Motorcycle brand names become part and parcel of everyday life for a biker, but do you know how the names, and badges, came about?
Viral
22/01/25
A British inventor who specialises in self-balancing machines has built a bike that uses balls instead of wheels
General
22/01/25
The event is part navigation competition, part adventure touring get-together and a unique adventure motorcycle challenge concept
New Bikes
22/01/25
The heavyweight uber-cruiser from BMW has gained updates, with more torque across the range and model-specific updates to each bike
WorldSBK
22/01/25
The Solterra has been revealed as the official safety car of the 2025 World Superbike World Championship
Viral
22/01/25
A motorcycle display team from India has succeeded in balancing 40 men on seven motorcycles to take the record
MotoGP
22/01/25
Reports suggest that an F1 team boss is one of the key figures working with Lewis Hamilton on his MotoGP team ownership bid
New Bikes
21/01/25
KTM is adding two more bikes to the A1 and A2 off-road sector in 2025, as the 125 Enduro R and 390 Enduro R break cover
MotoGP
21/01/25
The Factory KTM MotoGP star will be in attendance at the London Motorcycle Show as the official Guest of Honour
Product News
21/01/25
The gloves are powered by Gerbing heated technology, and feature a standalone battery or bike-powered heating
Industry
21/01/25
Despite a contract to supply bikes to Australia Post, the utilitarian electric bike maker UBCO looks to be in trouble
Product News
21/01/25
The collection, which is “destined to touch the hearts of all enthusiasts” according to Ducati, will be available to buy from mid-April
New Bikes
21/01/25
Unlike the Honda GB350 which is decidedly retro, the new model looks much more contemporary