Simon Hancocks
Digital Content Manager
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.
3930 articles
Product News
29/05/25
Brembo’s new Greentell Braking system looks to reduce particulate emissions without sacrificing performance
General
29/05/25
Bonhams is holding an online motorcycle and memorabilia sale in June, with Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty and Mike Hailwood trophies up for grabs
MotoGP
29/05/25
Luca Marini has suffered multiple severe injuries while testing his Honda CBR1000RR-R in preparation for the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race
New Bikes
29/05/25
Oset took some special versions of its electric trials bikes to the Bike Shed Moto Show, with five custom builds appearing at the event
New Bikes
28/05/25
The bike is heavily related to the QJ Motor SRK 500 RC, although the key difference is the new bike’s paddle-shift gearbox
General
28/05/25
The NC750X and EM1 e: have both picked up the gongs in two different design awards already in 2025
Commercial
28/05/25
Y-AMT has well and truly arrived, with three models, and more on the way, boasting the system. But who is it for, and how can you try it for yourself?
General
28/05/25
A cheap and cheerful Keeway Superlight, signed by Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise, goes up for auction
New Bikes
28/05/25
KTM has put the E-Duke prototype machine on display at its Motohall in Mattighofen. But will it ever see the light of day?
New Bikes
28/05/25
Axiom Diesel Cycles wants you to take a punt on a diesel-powered cruiser motorcycle, but why would you?
MotoGP
28/05/25
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP star Jack Miller to head back to Suzuka this August as one part of a factory Yamaha dream team
New Bikes
27/05/25
The first Ducati Desmo450 MX has rolled off the production line, and bikes should be in selected UK dealers this July
Product News
27/05/25
The system has been developed by Shad’s parent company, NAD, and uses clever tech that does away with wires and connectors
New Bikes
27/05/25
The Concept RR gives us a glimpse of what BMW believes is the future of the superbike
New Bikes
27/05/25
The new 250cc Enfield will sit below the Hunter 350 and may mark the brand’s first proper dip into hybrid territory
General
23/05/25
Yamaha could be following Honda into the world of electronically boosted turbo bikes, as these patents reveal
General
23/05/25
Yamaha is giving you the chance to win a brand new MT-07, and here’s how to get the best odds
General
23/05/25
The Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 Recon is a 39bhp bike you can ride on a CBT, and it’ll be on display at the Bike Shed Moto Show this weekend
New Bikes
23/05/25
The 2025 Yamaha Tricity 125 has been launched, boasting a host of new technology and revised styling
General
23/05/25
The motorcycle tracker company BikeTrac is celebrating today, after its technology led police to 25 stolen bikes on the same day
Industry
22/05/25
Honda is set to add another production line at its Vithalapur facility, boosting production capacity up by another 650,000 units
Industry
22/05/25
Despite buying up the Forcite helmet brand some time ago, GoPro moves into a technical partnership with helmet maker AGV
New Bikes
22/05/25
The funky-looking bike developed by Lit Motors looks like it's being resurrected, after the self-balancing C-1 reportedly gained $1.6 million in backing
Industry
22/05/25
In its 76th year of business, Honda has achieved a cumulative global motorcycle production of 500 million units