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
26/10/19
The Belgium government are looking to ban motorcycles from the Brussels region in a bid to cut emissions and dust pollution
Viral
26/10/19
If the autumn/winter months are a time of sadness where few miles are ridden, Moto-ball could be just the thing to cheer you up
General
25/10/19
With the news that smart motorways are under scrutiny regarding safety concerns, I thought I’d share with you just one experience I’ve had with this type of road
Industry
25/10/19
So called smart motorways are to come under the spotlight as the government looks to hold a consultation around the safety of the new roads
New Bikes
25/10/19
A possible Husqvarna 901 Svartpilen for 2021 has been spotted undergoing testing in Spain, using the parallel-twin engine from the Duke range
New Bikes
25/10/19
Yesterday Claudio Domenicali showed us the Desert X concept and we think it might be the bike we wanted Ducati to build all along
General
24/10/19
We take a hypothetical look at what would happen if the latest metal from Ducati and Kawasaki had a dust-up
Industry
24/10/19
The government has entered into a consultation to look into whether zero-emissions vehicles can wear green number plates
General
24/10/19
With many manufacturers dressing up new bikes in old clothes, Visordown thinks if what we actually want is the real thing??
New Bikes
24/10/19
A Japanese Twitter account has just shared some images that looks like the 2020 Honda Fireblade undergoing track testing prior to its launch
New Bikes
23/10/19
With no V4 Multistrada until 2021, the 1260 S Grand Tour is filling the void in the Ducati adventure touring range
Used Bike
23/10/19
After spending a few more days with Kawasaki’s supercharged creation, we’re still trying to fathom how quick it actually is
New Bikes
23/10/19
The Ducati Streetfighter V4 has been shown to the public for the first time at the unveiling event in Rimini
New Bikes
23/10/19
The Kawasaki Z H2 has officially been revealed to the world. Here’s everything you need to know about 2020s most extreme hyper-naked
New Bikes
23/10/19
The new Ducati Panigale V2 has been officially unveiled at the Ducati premier in Rimini
New Bikes
23/10/19
The Tokyo Motor Show has revealed a gem to us in the form of the Kawasaki ZX-25R four-cylinder sportsbike
New Bikes
23/10/19
The Honda Goldwing is to get a series of updates for 2020 including new colours and improved fuel-injection
New Bikes
22/10/19
With patent drawings and rumours swirling the internet regarding a potential new Fireblade for 2020, Visordown ponders what the new machine could look like
New Bikes
22/10/19
The latest teaser video for the new KTM 1290 Super Duke R lets us hear the new bike as it races around Almeria
New Bikes
22/10/19
Early registrations will also be entered into a ‘competition of a lifetime’
General
22/10/19
German politicians have voted against the idea of setting speed limits on the currently unrestricted sections of the Autobahn
New Bikes
21/10/19
MV Agusta has confirmed the Dragster and Brutale 800 are to get updated and shown for the first time at the EICMA show next month
Road Racing
21/10/19
The Manx government have put the TT Zero race on ice as they agree a two-year hiatus from the event
Advanced Riding
21/10/19
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 ...