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
17/12/21
You can now take it to the rough stuff with the Brough Superior Lawrence Nefud scrambler
New Bikes
17/12/21
In light of the recent changes to the Plug-in Vehicle Grant Harley-Davidson is stepping up and covering it themselves
New Bikes
16/12/21
The Stark Futures Varg Motocross bike boasts 80hp, 938Nm of torque, 6 hours of run time and 1 to 2 hour recharge times!
First Ride
16/12/21
The new Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a pocket-sized giant and a real surprise. Like Scrappy-Doo, Scooby's little cousin who will stop at nothing to get his way. Splash ‘em uncle Scooby!
New Bikes
16/12/21
LiveWire the electric motorcycle arm of Harley-Davidson is sowing the seeds of expansion, as S2, S3, and S4 models are planned
Buyers Guides
15/12/21
Here are the ultimate motorcycle Christmas gifts for the two-wheeled rider in your life that likes the finer things!
Commercial
15/12/21
Here are the ultimate motorcycle Christmas gifts for the two-wheeled rider in your life that come in at under £100
General
15/12/21
Gas Monkey Garage owner Richard Rawlings has paid nearly double the estimate for the Triumph Trophy ridden by The Fonz in Happy Days
Product News
13/12/21
It turns out that the spyshots of a KTM 390 Adventure wearing Dakar style bodywork were not what they appeared to be…
Commercial
13/12/21
Here are the ultimate motorcycle Christmas gifts for the two-wheeled rider in your life
General
09/12/21
If you are heading to Motorcycle Live tomorrow, you’d better pack a face mask to conform to COVID-19 guidelines
Commercial
09/12/21
Long dark nights can be a motorcycle thieves’ best friend – here are the best ways you can keep your motorcycle safe over winter
New Bikes
09/12/21
A camouflaged KTM 390 Adventure has been out testing, sporting a new rally-inspired front fairing and bodywork
New Bikes
09/12/21
High performance electric motorcycle manufacturer Damon has announced its first super naked machine – the HyperFighter Colossus
Motorbike
08/12/21
The new Ducati Panigale V4S (2022) has gained revised ergonomics, more power, improved electronics and more – is this the easiest-to-ride Panigale ever?
New Bikes
08/12/21
A picture is circling the internet that shows the next Kawasaki-derived Bimota model and this time we think it’s the Z H2 getting the makeover!
New Bikes
07/12/21
All the specs, features, details and pictures of the new Triumph Tiger 1200 and it’s all-new T-plane crank engine
New Bikes
07/12/21
We got a look at the new BSA Gold Star at Motorcycle Live at the NEC for a sneak peek at the revived classic motorcycle brand
New Bikes
07/12/21
To celebrate his first WorldSBK championship victory, Yamaha has announced a special edition high-spec Toprak Razgatlıoğlu replica
General
04/12/21
With track day tuition by current and former BSB riders, BMW Motorrad has today announced its 2022 UK Performance Academy
Interviews
04/12/21
While the new Harley-Davidson Sportster is a cruiser the like we haven’t seen from the brand, the team behind the bike tell how it is merely the tip of the iceberg
Advanced Riding
03/12/21
As the long nights and wet weather seem to be just around the corner, we thought we’d give you the top tips to getting through the dreaded winter commute
New Bikes
30/11/21
Automotive tuning house Brabus is turning to two-wheeled tuning with reports surfacing of a lightweight KTM 1290 Super Duke RR in the works
Industry
30/11/21
A prominent supporter of All Lane Running Smart Motorways is now chief road safety advisor at National Highways