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.
Marc Marquez officially announced with Gresini Ducati for 2024 MotoGP
The worst-kept secret in MotoGP is out - Marc Marquez will join Gresini Ducati for 2024 as the team officially announces the news.
2023 KTM 790 Duke review - Same Duke, new tricks!
The 2023 KTM 790 Duke is back on the Austrian roster for 2023. It may have travelled via China, but it’s most definitely here and with some improved features when compared to the original 2018 machine.
How to Secure the Best Motorbike Insurance Premiums
Unleash the power of savings: here’s how to make sure you get the best insurance premium for your motorcycle insurance policy.
Road-biased 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE officially revealed
Following hot on the heels of the V-Strom 800DE, the 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE offers road-tourers a sweeter handling package.
BMW North America lifts ‘Stop Sale’ notice for petrol motorbikes
BMW Motorrad North America has removed its 'Stop Sale' notice to dealers in the region, which previously halted the sale of all new and used petrol-powered motorcycles
Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X prices confirmed
Triumph has revealed how much its all-new single-cylinder models cost, with a starting figure just under £5k
National Motorcycle Museum Live is less than a month away!
The UK’s most famous and extensive collection of motorcycles is opening its doors for free later this month, as the countdown to the National Motorcycle Museum Live event begins.
Honda drops big CRF1100L Africa Twin upgrades for 2024
All versions of the Africa Twin have received updates for 2024 with visual, mechanical, and performance improvements across the range.
2024 Ducati DesertX Rally is ready to take on any terrain
Ducati has announced a new more high-spec and capable mid-weight adventure bike, as the 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally powerslides into 2024
New Triumph Scrambler 1200 range revealed for 2024
Triumph has revamped its flagship Scrambler 1200 for 2024, with an updated Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE being joined by a more accessible Triumph Scrambler 1200 X.
1930 Brough Superior SS80 set to make near £100k at auction
The Brough Superior SS80 was bought as a box of bits in the 1990s, and reportedly took around 20 years to complete. Now though it's set to go under the hammer, and it could be selling for an insane amount of money!
White Motorcycle Concepts WMC300AE Hybrid goes up for public sale
The WMC300AE is a hybrid conversion built around the already whacky Yamaha Tricity and after a successful period used as a police bike, it’s now up for grabs to the general public.
Sporty four-cylinder Voge RR 666 S supersport bike revealed
The inline-four supersport motorcycle might not be dead and buried just yet, as Voge reveals the sleek-looking RR 666 S, a Chinese-built bike that shuns the cross-plane twin cylinder engine.
Ex-MotoGP Suzuki GSX-RR seems to be up for sale on Facebook!
We aren’t quite sure how this has come about, but a fairly legitimate post has appeared on Facebook showing what looks like a Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP that is being broken up and sold off piece by piece!
‘Next level’ 2024 BMW R 1300 GS revealed
The latest iteration of the BMW R 1300 GS is lighter, more compact, more powerful and more advanced than ever before. Here are some of the headline talking points.
Colin Furze builds a crazy pizza delivery bike complete with its own Pizza oven!
We’ve seen motorcycle adventurers over the years utilise a bike exhaust to either cook or keep food warm, but a motorcycle with its own pizza oven - that is a new one to us!
2024 BMW R 1300 GS unmasked in leaked photos
Some pictures have begun to circulate purporting to be the next generation BMW R 1300 GS, complete with a new engine, chassis, and totally revised styling.
Jack Miller spots a monkey in the ceiling of the KTM MotoGP pit garage
The local wildlife at the Indian MotoGP round seems to be enjoying getting close to the stars, as Jack Miller is reported to have spotted a monkey clambering about above his pit garage!
Cuddly Honda RC174 ‘replica’ brakes cover
The retro and custom bike maker Zeths has announced what might just be the cutest race replica ever, as its One-Joy ZOD 125 Mike Hailwood RC174 rep’ is revealed.
Weirdly engrossing video shows a tyre change on hubless Verge TS
Changing a wheel on a bike is a pretty common job to do at home. And I’m pretty sure that without too much help most riders would be able to change a wheel on a bike without having to consult the manual. But what if that bike is the Hubless Verge TS?
TVS announces new electric one-make series
TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC) will begin September 29, 2023, and feature eight riders picked by TVS Racing. All riders will use the all-new TVS Apache RTE (Racing Throttle Electric) motorcycles
Is the Indian MotoGP round doomed before it has even begun?
Visa chaos, track modifications, and tax issues are all marring the first-ever MotoGP visit to the Indian nation.
Arc Vector Test Ride Program launched
The Arc Vector Test Ride Program is, as you’d expect, an opportunity for prospective punters to swing a leg over the ground-breaking electric bike here, on UK roads.
Shoei X-SPR Pro review
I’ve been out and about testing the flagship Shoei X-SPR Pro road and track motorcycle helmet this summer, and even took the chance to try out Shoei’s PFS bespoke fitting service.