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.
New TVS Apache RTR 310 brings superbike electronics to the 300 class
The TVS Apache RTR 310 offers some serious electronic options for a bike so small, and some decent mechanical specs, too.
Francesco Bagnaia speaks about horrific Catalan GP crash
MotoGP World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia has opened up about the “luck” he had in escaping serious injury after “hard to understand” crash
First pictures of finished Zeths ZFR 525
The first clear images of the Zeths ZFR 525 retro sports bike have landed, and the completed machine is very close to the previously seen renderings
Release date announced - Speed Is Expensive, The Philip Vincent Story
A new documentary charting the life of Vincent founder, Phillip Vincent has been announced, with Ewan McGregor as the narrator
Release date announced - Speed Is Expensive, The Philip Vincent Story
A new documentary charting the life of Vincent founder, Phillip Vincent has been announced, with Ewan McGregor as the narrator
Four Michael Schumacher motorcycle helmets up for auction
Four motorcycle helmets used by F1 legend Michael Schumacher are going under the hammer as part of an upcoming collective auction.
Remember the Norton Atlas project? Here’s what it could have been!
The Zongshen RE650 utilises an engine developed by Norton but shelved when TVS bought the marque
KTM 890 SMT (2023) UK road test and review
Returning to the range in 2023, the KTM 890 SMT boasts all the good bits of an adventure bike, with none of the drawbacks
Honda Fireblade: Everything you need to know about the superbike game-changer
The lightweight sportster that rewrote the superbike rule book in 1992 before being repeatedly updated and improved, the Honda Fireblade remains one of the greatest sports bikes of all time.
Ex F1 World Champion’s ‘Ferrari’ motorcycle up for auction
The Ferrari branded bike used to belong to 1992 F1 Champion Nigel Mansell, and is part of his personal collection of vehicles up for sale
London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion comes into force
The ULEZ now encompasses all of central and Greater London, meaning from this morning, non-compliant vehicles will be charged
Exclusive Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR WSBK limited edition announced
Only 10 units of the Ninja ZX-10RR WSBK limited edition will be produced, with each being finished at the KRT HQ
Top 10 bikes ridden by Tom Cruise in movies – ever!
He's the world's biggest movie star, loves doing his own stunts, and loves riding motorcycles too - here are the top ten bikes ridden on screen by Tom Cruise
Next gen’ Suzuki Hayabusa could gain VVT engine
Suzuki is looking to bolster the longevity of the much-loved Hayabusa with engine updates incoming for the next gen’ bike
Active Pre-load Reduction arrives on Triumph Tiger 1200
The system can drop the seat of the Tiger 1200 by up to 20mm over and above the standard seat height settings
Peugeot PM-01 125 (2023) review - 125 Duke rival tested!
The Peugeot PM-01 125 is a funky-looking, learner-legal bike that is looking to take the fight to rest of the CBT sector
Original BSA Triumph X-75 Hurricane fetches £27,000 at auction
The Triumph X-75 Hurricane 'works prototype' has been auctioned by H&H Classics to the National Motorcycle Museum, where the bike is now on display.
National Highways braces for 14 million trips over the bank holiday weekend
It’s set to be one of the busiest weekends as Brits grab a bank holiday weekend away so take care if you’re out and about
Chandrayaan-3 for the road! Ultraviolette F77 Space Edition Launched
In a kind of unofficial tribute to the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission, Ultraviolette F77 Space Edition is launched
Manx GP: Ian Bainbridge loses his life
Manx Grand Prix racer Ian Bainbridge has died after a crash in the second qualifying session
'Hackney Council forcing me to choose - my bike or my home'
A change to motorcycle parking rules in Hackney is being branded as unfair, with one motorcycle-riding resident now left with an unthinkable choice
Colin Seeley Film in the works - here’s how you can help!
The Grandson of motorcycle racing legend Colin Seeley is making a film about the life of the influential racer and engineer
Arc Vector Founder's Signature Edition Bikes Launched in the USA
The exclusive Arc Vector Founders Edition machines will be limited to just two bikes and only available in the United States.
Isle of Man TT 2024 dates announced
The Isle of Man TT 2024 dates are out, and now all we need to do is pray for good weather!