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 Bikes
29/09/22
Kawasaki has announced the new Versys range in 650 and 1,000cc forms, as well as the new Z H2 range – full spec, features, and pricing are here.
Advanced Riding
29/09/22
Motorcycling is a great solo past-time... but why not share the fun? If you’ve never done it before, here's how to ride with a pillion passenger
General
29/09/22
The Local Government Authority is claiming that the Russia led invasion of Ukraine is preventing pothole repair work as costs increase
General
28/09/22
The tolerances of the MET area speed camera network changed, making it easier to get caught out
General
28/09/22
Specialist motorcycle insurance broker BeMoto has just announced its autumn competition that could see you winning £1,000
New Bikes
27/09/22
The seminal flagship of the range gains updates for 2023, as the Honda Gold Wing Tour gains new colours and a tyre pressure monitoring system
Commercial
27/09/22
On a recent press trip to try out some new brake pads, Visordown got the chance to go behind the scenes at the Galfer factory
General
26/09/22
Following in his late grandmother's footsteps, Prince Harry, along with his brother Prince William are both bike mad and thrive on two wheels - Article first published in 2019
General
26/09/22
The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE used in the James Bond film No Time To Die is going up for auction with the proceeds going to charity
General
23/09/22
Triumph has officially announced it will be running a team in the Motocross World Championship in 2024 in both MX2 and MXGP
General
23/09/22
The Vintage Motorcycle Club is offering its members the chance to swing a leg over a classic and vintage motorcycle completely free
MotoGP
22/09/22
A fire has reportedly broken out in the MotoGP pit affecting the Aprilia and Marc VDS teams in the build to the Japanese GP
New Bikes
22/09/22
A new limited-edition Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale announced in honour of company founder
Motorbike
21/09/22
Last week we got the chance to try out the 2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S at the stunning Silverstone GP circuit - here's what we found out
MotoGP
16/09/22
Ducati’s MotoGP title contender Pecco Bagnaia has succeeded in gaining an A3 motorcycle licence in Italy
General
15/09/22
Car and motorcycle trackday provider MSV Trackdays has announced a plan to log rider warnings with a view to banning repeat offenders
General
13/09/22
Eric ‘Rocketman’ Teboul has smashed a world record with a 4.976 second drag bike run at Santa Pod this month
Gear
12/09/22
THE AGV AX-8 Evo is the most extreme off-road motorcycle helmet from Italian legends AGV. It’s similar in some respects to the AX9 adventure touring helmet, although features a more focused design and no ability to run a visor.
Advanced Riding
11/09/22
Hanging off a bike is something that doesn’t come naturally, but it's the most efficient and quickest way to hustle your motorcycle around - if you are new to it though, check out these handy tips
Advanced Riding
10/09/22
Summer has brought us scorching hot temperatures but in good ol' Britain, it's also brought some heavy showers - don't get caught out with these top tips of riding in the wet
General
09/09/22
With the news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Visordown pays tribute to the longest serving monarch in British history
Gear
08/09/22
Toad’s been out and about testing the Arai RX-7V Evo for the last six months, on road and track – here’s his definitive verdict
General
07/09/22
They are unlikely to be able to keep up with a stolen Fireblade, but the Northamptonshire Police’s fleet of hybrid electric motorcycles is here regardless
Gear
07/09/22
Toad has been using the AGV Pista GP-RR for a year now and while there is still plenty of life in it yet - he thought it was time for a review