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.
3829 articles
Motorbike
13/03/24
Shaking up the supersport segment in 2024 is a revived and refreshed CBR600RR
First Ride
13/03/24
The Triumph Daytona 660 has finally landed, and Visordown went along to the global press launch in Benidorm to find out what the new bike is all about
Motorbike
09/03/24
With a host of new tech, aero, mechanicals and more, the new 2024 Honda Fireblade is a very different beast compared to the previous generation
General
05/03/24
The charity has been selected as the official charity partner of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed
General
05/03/24
VTR Motorrad has turned a BMW R 1300 GS into a supermoto-style track racer
General
04/03/24
This year’s Harley-Davidson HOG rally will be taking place in Senigallia, Italy
Viral
04/03/24
The viral video showing a rider-less Harley-Davidson in Paris has finally been figured out
Product News
04/03/24
The recently launched Lego kit for the Kawasaki Ninja H2R model has already sold out on Lego’s official store, only three days after going on sale, but you can still get it if you’re prepared to wait
General
04/03/24
A patent filed by Zero Motorcycles shows how a clutch system for electric bikes could take shape
Industry
01/03/24
The Local Government Association is placing the subject of pavement parking on the agenda again, and it could spell trouble for bikers
New Bikes
01/03/24
The new Harley-Davidson Tobacco Fade Enthusiast Motorcycle Collection mimics the sunburst effect as seen on guitars, bass guitars and drums of the 1960s
New Bikes
29/02/24
Harley-Davidson has announced a new limited edition bike, a modern-day replica of its legendary Hydra Glide
Road Racing
29/02/24
Already a member of the 135mph club, Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop has just passed his motorcycle test
Industry
28/02/24
At a time when the EV market is struggling, it’s been announced that Tata is to build a huge battery factory in the UK that will cater for two and four-wheeled vehicles
New Bikes
27/02/24
Royal Enfield is offering its Meteor 350 at zero per cent APR, meaning amazingly low monthly payments on its retro cruiser
General
27/02/24
The EU Parliament is debating whether or not road users should have to take a compulsory health check to retain their driving licence
Commercial
26/02/24
Triumph has a raft of deals and offers to take advantage of in the build-up to the 2024 riding season
General
26/02/24
A Japanese firm has created a very cute kit that allows you to replicate your Hayabusa in miniature form
New Bikes
26/02/24
The Triumph Ticket to Ride initiative offers a £500 contribution towards the purchase of a Trident or Tiger Sport 660 for new riders
General
26/02/24
The Ransom Archangel is a custom cruiser, powered by a 1,000cc inline four-cylinder and costs as much as a supercar!
General
26/02/24
With the European Commission looking to ban chrome plating over health and environmental concerns, what does the future look like for bike makers?
First Ride
25/02/24
The heavily updated Yamaha MT-09 has now been ridden, and here is how the new bike performs on the road
New Bikes
20/02/24
Rumours suggest that Triumph is working on an off-road 660cc adventure bike, with Triumph Mumbai fanning the flames on social media
General
19/02/24
The star of a popular bike and engineering show has had two bikes stolen from his lock-up