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
28/03/22
The BMF is urging the public to help protect UK Green Lane use, as DEFRA’s Landscapes Review could outlaw some of the countries most loved routes
Industry
28/03/22
Suzuki has signed up to help develop new VTOL flying vehicles, with the first working models apparently due in the next three years
General
28/03/22
Yamaha has revealed a power steering system for motorcycles called EPS and is trailling the new technology in the Japanese motocross championship
MotoGP
22/03/22
The resurfaced track at Mandalika may have just held its first competitive MotoGP event, but it has taken its toll on the surface
New Bikes
22/03/22
The first deliveries of the radical Brough Superior AMB 001 have begun to take place according to reports
New Bikes
22/03/22
A trick looking Yamaha MT-09 dubbed the Cyber Rally has been revealed at the Osaka Motorcycle Show in Japan
Viral
22/03/22
Watch Kenan Sofuoglu and Toprak Razgatlioglu go head-to-head on the world’s longest suspension bridge – the Canakkale 1915
General
22/03/22
New speed camera devices are being trialled in Spain that can detect when a vehicle brakes sharply prior to passing the device
New Bikes
21/03/22
Two iconic brands join forces for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride as Triumph Motorcycles and Gibson announce 1959 Legends Custom Edition bike and guitar
New Bikes
21/03/22
The Felo FW-03 is an all-electric, lightweight urban commuter, with retro styling that is a nod to classic scoots like the Yamaha BWs
MotoGP
21/03/22
The MotoGP Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 include Jorge Lorenzo, Max Biaggi, and four-time World Champion Hugh Anderson
General
21/03/22
Until the official information is released regarding the new Honda Hawk 11, we take a deep dive into the images to see what is new
General
21/03/22
The chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to cut fuel duty in this weeks Spring Statement as petrol becomes prohibitively expensive
General
18/03/22
Indian firm MK Designs is releasing a plug-and-play fairing kit to turn your Royal Enfield 650cc twin into a sleek looking café racer
New Bikes
17/03/22
The clearest images yet of the new Honda Hawk 1100 are spreading across social media quicker than the second wave of Covid – click to take a look!
General
17/03/22
A whistle-blower has lifted the lid on a catalogue of failings with smart motorway network, including one that failed to detect a fatal crash
Industry
17/03/22
The Italian motorcycle kit and clothing company Dainese was bought by Investcorp in 2014 for a reported €130 million
General
16/03/22
Kawasaki has announced that its Dealer Demo Days are back for 2022 as the dates and locations are confirmed
First Ride
16/03/22
The Triumph Tiger 1200 gets the biggest update since its launch with a ground-up redesign. We went along to test it in Portugal
Interviews
11/03/22
The recent London Motorcycle show saw a large-scale operation take place to combat rogue traders and counterfeit motorcycle clothing. Here’s how it came to happen
General
09/03/22
A recent study by the Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behaviour has shown that motorcyclists are less stressed than car drivers
Industry
09/03/22
As fuel prices in the UK hit an all-time high petrol price analysts warn of darker days on the horizon
First Ride
08/03/22
Having just been refreshed for pretty much the first time since 2016, the new 2022 Yamaha MT-10 is here with more power, more tech, and more fun
First Ride
05/03/22
The 2022 Yamaha TMAX Tech Max has seen a big update for this year, and Yamaha hedging its bets on more tech, suspension tweaks, and ergonomic updates