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.
New Bikes
11/02/20
The Triumph Street Triple R gets the 2020 treatment with updated styling, revised engine and a lower price than before
Product News
11/02/20
As winter’s grip tightens further on the tail-end of 2019, here are the top five ways you can keep warm on a motorcycle
General
10/02/20
From simple errors of judgement to frustrating pre-ride rituals – these are five annoying things we’ve all done at least once!
General
10/02/20
With many pointing the finger of Norton’s demise at its business model, CCM is showing the UK and the world how it should be done
New Bikes
10/02/20
The partnership between the two brands will begin with a reported six bike range featuring A2 licence motorcycles to the UK, Europe and Asia
First Ride
05/02/20
Visordown experiences the joy of SX as we check out the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX at the press riding launch in Cordoba, Spain
General
02/02/20
With the collapse of Norton, Toad wonders why so many people didn’t read the signs
Motorbike
01/02/20
The 2020 Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP is more powerful than before and more physically demanding on track but it’s not a handful to ride and it still feels every inch a Fireblade.
Industry
01/02/20
A number of motorcycle training centres have been struck off including some that were selling CBT certificates
New Bikes
27/01/20
Lightweight sportsbike boasts more power over the outgoing model and more goodies than some of its 250cc rivals
Industry
27/01/20
The review has come too late for some, as death toll reaches 38 people in five years
General
27/01/20
The new tech is said to be rolled out to bicycles and trucks although it could work with some motorcycles
General
27/01/20
Steve Plater has fractured his C1 vertebrae in an off-road motorcycle crash in the Welsh mountains
Viral
26/01/20
This hilarious take on the pre-race and event commentary from the 2019 might be our favourite racing film of the year!
General
26/01/20
The one-off motorcycle show Speedshop could get a series if the iPlayer views are high enough
Industry
25/01/20
With the news that Triumph and Bajaj have joined forces to build a range of small and mid-capacity motorcycles, Visordown looks at what they could look like
New Bikes
24/01/20
The Marabese Blade Bike takes the three-wheeled motorcycle concept to the next level!
New Bikes
24/01/20
The new-for-2020 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 is already getting kitted out with two accessory packages prior to the bike’s spring launch
General
23/01/20
A bright spark in Dubai is trying to flog a Honda Fireblade badged up as a Ferrari for £51k!
General
23/01/20
The Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle 131 Crate Engine boasts 121bhp and 131ft-lbs of torque!
New Bikes
22/01/20
Ducati’s Superleggera editions are usually the most powerful, lightest and most expensive motorcycles of the year – 2020 looks no different
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.