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.
General
16/05/23
A group of Dublin firefighters are being branded as heroes, after leaping into action to help save the life of a Spanish biker
Road Racing
16/05/23
An inquest into the fatal rash that resulted in the death of William Dunlop has returned a verdict of death by misadventure
First Ride
14/05/23
The 2023 Yamaha R125 gets a styling revamp and more for 2023, we flew to Barcelona for a road and track test
MotoGP
10/05/23
Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez will race in the MotoGP championship this weekend for the first time since Portimao
Industry
10/05/23
Safety experts are warning that new 61ft lorries could pose a risk to motorcyclists when they hit the roads later this month
Viral
10/05/23
TT and TV star Guy Martin got a chance to test out the stunning Crighton CR700W and the on-board video is unmissable
New Bikes
10/05/23
Honda has filed a patent showing a potential future adventure motorcycle that features a supercharged engine
Industry
05/05/23
As Yamaha RZ250 and RZ350 trademarks are filed, we wonder how the brand might revive two of its most iconic models
Industry
05/05/23
After a bumper year in 2022, Ducati starts 2023 in style, with record bikes sold in the early part of 2023
Road Racing
04/05/23
Players of the new Isle of Man TT game, Ride on the Edge 3, have the chance to explore the island more than ever before
General
04/05/23
The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus has collaborated on an Indian Sport Chief ‘Forged’ custom build
General
28/04/23
Team Classic Suzuki regular Danny Webb and Al Fagan for round one of the European Endurance Cup at Paul Ricard
First Ride
28/04/23
The updated Yamaha Tracer 9 GT + boasts more tech, revised ergonomics and radar-assisted cruise control for 2023
General
27/04/23
Two of the Sébastien Loeb X Tank Machine Indian ‘FTR Loeb’ bikes will be built, one for the rally legend, and one for a prize draw winner
New Bikes
27/04/23
Mash is offering an extended three-year warranty on all of the brand’s retro motorcycles
Road Racing
27/04/23
Funding issues have hit the plans to revive the Ulster GP this August, as organisers officially abandon this year’s event
New Bikes
25/04/23
As just 100 launch editions are being produced, you’re going to have to be quick to snap up the new LiveWire S2 Del Mar
Industry
25/04/23
Eric de Seynes was formerly the CEO at Yamaha although he’ll now preside over the International Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association
General
25/04/23
The Kawasaki electronic brake works off the chain pinion and is designed to stabilise the bike on corner entry
MotoGP
25/04/23
The Warner Bros MotoGP film is reported to be released in 2025 and is being produced by the man responsible for F1 drama Rush
First Ride
24/04/23
The 2023 Yamaha Niken GT gains technological and mechanical updates for this year, boosting the performance and usability of the leaning multi-wheel machine
Industry
17/04/23
The Ford Mach-E allows the ‘driver’ to remove hands from the wheel, and it’s just the start of the government’s push to a self-driving future
General
17/04/23
As the government acknowledges the shortcomings of the Smart Motorway network and cancels further projects, is this the moment campaigners have been waiting for?
General
13/04/23
The Ducati ‘Barcone’ 125cc Grand Prix bike was ridden by Hailwood in Europe and even at the Isle of Man the TT