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.
First Ride
30/05/23
The new 2023 Yamaha XMAX 300 Tech MAX has gained visual and technological updates for for this year, we flew to Milan to try it out
Viral
30/05/23
A video shared on social media is proving just how important even light security is when parking your motorcycle on the street
Industry
30/05/23
The average UK petrol price for a litre has fallen to 144p, with lowest it has been since January 2022
Industry
30/05/23
For the first time since 2019, Austria’s most famous motorcycle maker KTM will return to the biggest motorcycle show in Europe
Commercial
26/05/23
Visordown takes a look at the motorcycle insurance specialist that is breaking down some big doors in the UK bike insurance market - BeMoto.
General
24/05/23
Thierry Sarasyn has set a world record after the Belgian motorcycle journalist visited 15 countries in 22 hours
New Bikes
24/05/23
A video showing the next gen’ Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and Street Glide has landed, giving us a look and listen to the bikes
Gear
24/05/23
Visordown was lucky enough to be invited to the first Ducati DRE Racetrack Experience held in the UK - here’s how we got on
New Bikes
24/05/23
The KTM semi-automatic gearbox uses a centrifugal clutch and includes a locking system to prevent the bike from rolling away
General
23/05/23
The Brighton Speed Trial will not feature bikes in 2023 after the VMCC Sprint Section pulls out of the event
WorldSBK
22/05/23
We didn't think it would take long, but on the same day he announced his departure from the Pata Yamaha team, Toprak Razgatlioglu has announced he will ride for BMW in 2024
New Bikes
22/05/23
The new kit turns your latest generation Yamaha XSR900 into a retro roadster, complete with front fairing and seat cowl
MotoGP
22/05/23
MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia is carrying an injury after the clash with Viñales, although it isn’t thought to get in the way of his Mugello homecoming
New Bikes
22/05/23
Suzuki is holding a test ride event this bank holiday weekend, giving customers the chance to sample all the bikes in the range
Industry
22/05/23
MV Agusta majority shareholder Timur Sardarov has set the record straight on the rumoured KTM takeover of the Italian brand
Road Racing
22/05/23
The new feature film, Isle of Man TT No Room For Error is available to download and watch today from 9pm
General
22/05/23
PUBG Mobile players can now add a Ducati V4 S to their garage for in-game excitement
Road Test
19/05/23
The 2023 Ducati Diavel V4 has had a top-to-toe reboot to solidify its place at the top of the performance cruiser class
Viral
19/05/23
Chlyo Racing has created a small-capacity two-stroke engine built completely out of transparent material!
Industry
18/05/23
The extra money for Royal Enfield is going into its electric and combustion motorcycle development
New Bikes
18/05/23
Royal Enfield might be about to launch its long-awaited 650cc scrambler, as the firm protects the ‘Bear’ moniker
Industry
18/05/23
The big four are pushing on with hydrogen power, as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha form research association
General
16/05/23
A 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH Bicentennial once owned by Elvis Presley could become the most expensive H-D ever sold at auction
General
16/05/23
The sleepy market town of Wimborne is in a state of disarray this week after motorcycle-mounted thugs wreak havoc leaving 13 cars destroyed