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.
Pit garage fire affects Japanese MotoGP build up for two teams
A fire has reportedly broken out in the MotoGP pit affecting the Aprilia and Marc VDS teams in the build to the Japanese GP
Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale takes off
A new limited-edition Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale announced in honour of company founder
2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S review | Silverstone GP Circuit
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 racer Pecco Bagnaia passes his motorcycle test
Ducati’s MotoGP title contender Pecco Bagnaia has succeeded in gaining an A3 motorcycle licence in Italy
MSV Trackdays to ban riders with multiple on-track warnings
Car and motorcycle trackday provider MSV Trackdays has announced a plan to log rider warnings with a view to banning repeat offenders
WATCH: Eric ‘Rocketman’ Teboul sets sub-5-sec world record!
Eric ‘Rocketman’ Teboul has smashed a world record with a 4.976 second drag bike run at Santa Pod this month
AGV AX-8 Evo review after one year of off-road use
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.
Hang tight | How to hang off a motorcycle... correctly and safely!
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
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How do I improve my wet weather riding? Tips for riding in the rain
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
A tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II | 1926 – 2022 |
With the news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Visordown pays tribute to the longest serving monarch in British history
Arai RX-7V Evo road and track review after six months
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
Northamptonshire Police gain innovative new police bikes
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
AGV Pista GP-RR road and track review after one year of use
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
Shellios Puros motorcycle helmet features HEPA filtration
The Shellios Puros motorcycle helmet includes a HEPA filtration system to help you breathe clean in even the most polluted of cities
Motorcycle and Airbus A320 collide at Conakry, Guinea
A motorcycle and Airbus A320 airliner have collided on the runway of Conakry in Guinea resulting in the death of two people
What should I do if a thief tries to steal my motorcycle or 'bikejack' me?
Thefts of motorcycles and scooters - including 'bikejacking' - remains rife across the country... but what should you do if you are targeted?
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Horsin' around | How should I overtake a horse when riding my motorcycle?
The chances of encountering a horse on a ride in the countryside is high - but how should you overtake a horse safely when riding a motorcycle
We always want what we can't have | Top 10 Motorcycles we don’t get in the UK
Imports rules, emissions regulations or simply not feasible for this market, here are ten bikes the UK doesn’t get but we wish we did
Custom motorcycles land builders behind bars in Gloucestershire!
A show of custom motorcycles is to take place in September within the walls of Gloucester Prison as the Kickback Motorbike show is banged up
Is a Honda Rebel 1100 Tour about to join the range in 2023?
The chatter behind the scenes seems to be pointing to a Honda Rebel 1100 Tour edition joining the range next year
Buyers Guide | Toads Top Four Current Triumph Motorcycles
Toad picks out his four favourite current Triumph motorcycles and shares why he thinks they deserve your attention
Modern Motorcycling | Top ten things we really miss
The motorcycle world has changed a lot in the last 20 or 30 years – but is it all for the better?
Master-stroke | What are the Top 10 best two-stroke motorcycles worth today?
Here's our top ten list of the best two-stroke motorcycles of all time, and what they'll cost you today
The Ultimate Bucket List | Motorcycles you must ride before you die
It might be the power, the speed or the fact that they change the motorcycle landscape forever – here are our bucket list motorcycles
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