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
13/11/19
The trailer for the latest in the Guy Martin Speed series has landed and shows the journey the ex-TT racer and TV personality took to drive the fastest tractor on the planet
Product News
13/11/19
Shad have joined the adventure fold with a range of sleek yet rugged-looking panniers and luggage
New Bikes
12/11/19
Pictures have surfaced on a Japanese website providing a glimpse at what the next model from the new partnership could look like
New Bikes
12/11/19
Key members of Triumph personnel have confirmed some details of the incoming motorcycles from their collaboration with Bajaj
Advanced Riding
12/11/19
Taking the plunge and riding at a trackday can be a daunting experience. Here's how you can make the whole event much more enjoyable ...
New Bikes
12/11/19
Renowned motorcycle designer Pierre Terblanche and carbon composites maker BST have teamed up to create the Hypertek
General
11/11/19
With the news that Kawasaki are working up an electric motorcycle with a gearbox, Visordown ponders if cogs are the solution e-bikes have been waiting for
New Bikes
11/11/19
Visordown brings you all the best and quirkiest concept motorcycles from the most important motorcycle show on the planet - EICMA
New Bikes
11/11/19
Visordown brings you all the best new sportsbikes from the most important motorcycle show on the planet
New Bikes
08/11/19
Visordown brings you all the best new naked motorcycles from the most important motorcycle show on the planet
New Bikes
08/11/19
After revealing the stunning Bimota Tesi H2 at EICMA, Kawasaki has officially confirmed the tie-up between Minato and Rimini
New Bikes
08/11/19
Visordown brings you all the best new touring motorcycles from the most important motorcycle show on the planet
New Bikes
05/11/19
The Z1000SX becomes the Ninja 1000SX with a host of upgrades to the successful sports tourer platform
New Bikes
05/11/19
The Triumph Bobber has been given the TFC treatment with just 750 numbered special editions available worldwide
New Bikes
05/11/19
The new Triumph Bud Ekins Bonneville T120 and T100 commemorates the motorcycle stuntman and off-road racer
New Bikes
04/11/19
The A2 friendly Honda Rebel gets a host of new updates for 2020, including slipper clutch, LED lighting, a new exhaust and a higher spec ‘S’ version
New Bikes
03/11/19
The café racer scene just got a healthy does of ability in the form of the Triumph Thruxton RS
New Bikes
03/11/19
Visordown takes you through the bikes that you need to be looking out for at the EICMA show in Milan
General
01/11/19
The law on driver using a mobile phone to call or text while driving is to be tightened to cover filming and taking pictures too
New Bikes
30/10/19
The pricing for the new Triumph Rocket 3 means owning the biggest production motorcycle in the world costs under £20k
Industry
30/10/19
The London Mayor has announced a ULEZ Scrappage Scheme for disabled people and those on a low income which provides a £1000 grant towards a new vehicle when scrapping their old one
General
28/10/19
Honda’s iconic NR, sometimes called the NR750, was a technical tour de force when released, and it’s still considered one of the great marvels of the motorcycle world
Top 10s
28/10/19
If you’ve just dragged your winter textiles out of the cupboard and thought about upgrading them, take a look at our pick of the five best you can buy
New Bikes
28/10/19
Aside from the supercharged and super-naked offerings of the last seven days, one bike that has got us very excited is the 250cc ZX-25R