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.
Shark Aeron GP Review: Road and Track With MotoGP-Spec Lid
Shark’s MotoGP-spec Aeron GP is something of a novelty in that it features moveable aerodynamic elements to reduce drag.
Ruroc Eox Motorcycle Helmet Review: A Better Product With a Few Glitches
The new flagship product in the Ruroc range is the Eox, a full carbon fibre lid with distinctive styling and an improvement in functionality over the Atlas 4.0.
Popular Trackday and Race Venue Under Threat From Nearby Developments
The Carole circuit near Paris is reported to be under threat, after a number of developments, including hotels, have sprung up in the area.
Michael Schumacher’s Honda Fireblade Race Bike Heads to Auction
The Honda Fireblade was built by Holzhauer Racing Performance for Schumacher, who used it for test days and track days during his sabbatical from F1.
Audi Lets People Play Pictionary Through the TFT: And This is Okay?
Car drivers are easily distracted enough as it is, we can probably do without an Audi full of people playing Pictionary.
Caberg GP01 Review: FIM-Spec at a Budget Price Tag
Caberg has launched itself into the elite of helmet makers, with its cut-price FIM-spec GP01
Charity Motorcycle Ride Smashes £120,000 Total
The Longest Day Challenge sees riders heading from Land's End to John O’Groats on bikes costing no more than £600!
Honda E-Clutch Goes Small-Capacity With CL250 and Rebel 250
Honda is expanding its range of E-Clutch models, with the CL250 and Rebel 250 being next in line to gain the technology.
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CFMoto Motorcycles UK Distributor Named
Quadzilla has been chosen as the UK distributor of CFMoto Motorcycles following its split from KTM.
There Are Just Days Left to Sign This Potentially Life Saving Petition
The petition was set up by a well-known motorcycle safety campaigner who wants to stamp out the imports of shady gear - but there are only days left for it to hit 10k signatures
Electric ‘Fireblade’ Aiming for 2029 Le Mans Entry
Some students from Clermont-Ferrand recently unveiled a self-built electric race bike that started life as a Honda Fireblade.
Sidi Has a Whole New Look: “Nothing Will Change Except Everything”
The Italian boot maker, Sidi, has revealed a whole new brand identity, with on and off-road now clearly defined.
This Stunning Freddie Spencer Tribute Started Life as an ‘07 Fireblade
The custom bike maker RindPerformance has turned a 2007 Honda Fireblade SC52 into a homage to ‘Fast’ Freddie Spencer and his NS500
Yamaha’s MOTOROiD2 Concept Wins Red Dot Design Award
Futuristic Yamaha concept scoops prestigious design prize
Yamaha Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT Review: Yamaha’s Mid-Weight Finally Comes of Age
For 2025, the Yamaha Tracer 7 receives its most comprehensive update since its launch, with a revised chassis, more tech and new styling
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy (2025) Review: H-D’s Icon Tested
If you are looking for a slice of all-American attitude, few bikes can come close to the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.
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Bag a Brand New Honda For the Price of a Holiday: Discounted Security Bonus
Honda has reduced the price of its Vision 110 scooter and is offering a discounted security pack as a bonus.
Morbidelli Starts Blistering Summer deal: T1002V and VX Now With Free Luggage
Morbidelli has revised its pricing and thrown a luggage bundle at its T1002 adventure twins, just in time to run it in on a summer tour.
France Votes to End Low-Emission Zones: “Ecology has Become a Sport for the Rich”
The French National Assembly has approved the abolition of low-emission zones, with many viewing them as unfairly impacting low-income individuals
Honda Built a Rocket. Turns Out it's Extremely Accurate!
Honda has completed its first successful launch and landing of a reusable rocket, hitting its target with sub-metre precision and edging closer to a future in space tech.
An Apparent Euro-Spec CFMoto 500SR Voom Points to UK Arrival
The patent images show a 500SR Voom decked out with wheel discs, front brake shrouds and a different tail tidy.
This Stunning Race Replica Started Life as a Royal Enfield
The GRR by XTR Pepo is a retro supermono race rep’ based on the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
Alpinestars reveals All Terra: new adventure gear range for Spring 2025
Alpinestars introduces the new All Terra range, built for riders who don’t stick to the road or the weather forecast.
Yamaha updates its Off Road Competition range for 2026
Everything is gaining a light update, from the bike many of us started on, the Yamaha PW50, to the top-spec YZ450F
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