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
25/05/22
A recent FEMA survey has found that motorcyclists are overwhelmingly in favour of free motorcycle parking, but will the governments listen?
General
25/05/22
We took to the hallowed Donington Park Circuit at the weekend, for a couple of sessions with Isle of Man TT icon John McGuinness
MotoGP
25/05/22
This year’s MotoGP round from the KymiRing is postponed until 2023, with Dorna pointing to tensions in the region as one of the concerns
Commercial
25/05/22
Keeping your spare kit and clothing dry in wet weather makes riding a motorcycle a much more pleasurable experience – here’s how it’s done
General
24/05/22
Official Yamaha dealers will be swinging open the doors next month, with test rides, promos and the chance to win a Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid at Yamaha LIVE!
First Ride
24/05/22
To try out the updates to the Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP 2022 we went along to the 30th anniversary celebration for track evening at Donington.
First Ride
19/05/22
The 2022 Yamaha XSR900 gains the updates of the latest generation MT-09 and MT-09 SP, although some not insignificant chassis tweaks up the ante further
First Ride
19/05/22
Visordown went along to the world press launch of the new 2022 Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid, to find out if this really is the everyday Dakar racer
General
13/05/22
National Highways is woking on the Smart Motorways network, converting existing safety cameras to detect ‘Red X’ violations and adding signage around refuges areas
General
12/05/22
Get up close to the new Harley-Davidson Nightster on the Revolution Max Tour – May 12 to 28
New Bikes
12/05/22
A limited-edition Suzuki GSX-S950 created by AD Koncept is to go on sale in France, with just 50-units up for grabs
Road Test
11/05/22
To find out if the 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT was as good in the dry as it is in the wet, we took delivery of one for a two-week springtime loan
First Ride
09/05/22
We went out for a splash in the puddles on the new 2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST, to see if this Sports Touring version of the Low Rider is really the bike you want
New Bikes
04/05/22
A recent trademark renewal in the US points to Harley-Davidson hanging onto the Bronx name for just a little bit longer…
New Bikes
03/05/22
A sporty looking custom version of the Honda GB350 High’Ness has been released by Japanese tuning house Moriwaki
Industry
28/04/22
The government has confirmed this week that possible new vehicle anti-tampering laws won’t be retrospective
Industry
25/04/22
Draconian anti-tampering laws are set to be discussed in parliament today, as MPs could make modifying your bike more difficult than before
Road Test
21/04/22
We’ve been spinning about the place on the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory for the last few weeks. Here’s what we’ve learned
First Ride
19/04/22
With a new 975cc V-twin engine, top-spec electronics, and classic H-D charm, the new Harley-Davidson Nightster shatters into 2022
First Ride
14/04/22
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 blends a potent 660cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, advanced electronics, and a capable chassis – is it really a match for the competition?
Product News
14/04/22
Bridging the gap between the Diablo Rosso and Super Corsa ranges, the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa is the road and track tyre most of us should be using
New Bikes
07/04/22
Peugeot is looking to joins the likes of Honda and Kymco by releasing its own adventure scooter based on the Metropolis 400
Gear
30/03/22
The latest generation Metzeler Karoo 4 adventure tyres are a road legal knobbly featuring an all-new tread design and improved compounds
Gear
29/03/22
The Metzeler Tourance Next 2 sits at the top of the on-road adventure range. It’s evolved from the Tourance Next and fits most 19 and 21 inch front wheel ADV bikes