Simon Hancocks
Digital Content Manager
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.
3820 articles
General
31/08/21
The winning Honda CB650R from the recent Wheels and Waves build-off event has been revealed
New Bikes
31/08/21
The new shape KTM RC390 has been given a track outing as the test riders stretch its legs prior to the official launch
BSB
31/08/21
Having passed all the required markers to be discharged, Brad Jones is free to continue his recovery
General
13/08/21
TT racer and record-breaker Guy Martin has turned his had to sidecar racing, with Carl Fenwick Racing at Cadwell Park
General
12/08/21
Not only that, Triumph owners get the chance to lap the hallowed circuit and park in a dedicated Triumph Owners' Only bike park
General
12/08/21
After two years of deliberation, motorcycles have been officially excluded from competing in the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb
Motorbike
10/08/21
We headed to Manchester for the UK press tour of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S in Manchester to check out the update to one of H-D's longest-running models
Road Test
08/08/21
After spending some more miles on the little Yamaha MT-09, we thought we’d take you through the process that transformed its handling
Product News
06/08/21
BSB racer Dan Linfoot and motorcycle events professional Gareth Bright have launched Woodcote Events, a premium motorcycle experience company
Industry
06/08/21
Future Piaggio Group motorcycles will come quipped with advanced 4D radar assistance, opening the door to radar-guided cruise control and more
General
06/08/21
The Triumph Bonneville Trike was modified for Simon Weston by Norman Hyde after a crowdfunding appeal was set up for the Falklands hero
BSB
05/08/21
MSVR has confirmed that the sedation Brad Jones is currently receiving is set to be reduced to allow him to wake from the medically induced coma
Product News
05/08/21
Dynamoto Motorcycle Stands feature innovative wheels that move forwards and backwards and side to side
New Bikes
05/08/21
A more road oriented version of the Royal Enfield Himalayan has been snapped on the road in India undergoing testing
New Bikes
04/08/21
The new Honda CB1000R 5Four pays homage to the classic endurance racing Hondas and is based on the stunning new CB1000R
Product News
03/08/21
Short-arse motorcycle riders rejoice! Platform shoes are here to save you from those slow speed fumbles and falls!
New Bikes
03/08/21
Type approval documents are pointing to a tamer MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS due to hit the market in 2022
First Ride
02/08/21
The CFMOTO 700CL-X Heritage has landed in the UK ahead of its official launch and Visordown was first in the queue for a test ride
General
02/08/21
Two new custom Indian Scout special editions announced by Indian Motorcycle Metz in France
Advanced Riding
01/08/21
Overtaking other vehicles on a bike is just one of the many positives of riding a motorcycle. Here’s how to nail an overtake
Road Racing
30/07/21
A six week public consultation process to hammer out the details and timings of the inaugural Isle of Wight Road Races is to begin next week
New Bikes
30/07/21
The BMW Transcontinental and R 18 B is the German brand’s assault on the heavy weight cruiser segment
BSB
29/07/21
MSVR has released an official statement advising on the current condition of British Superbike racer Brad Jones
BSB
29/07/21
Luke Stapleford is standing in for Tim Neave this weekend, riding the Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R superstock machine