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.
3829 articles
New Bikes
17/06/21
With the news that Yamaha is finally turning the MT-07 into a sportsbike, Visordown looks at the viability of an MT-09-derived R9
General
16/06/21
The attempt will see an MV Agusta Turismo Veloce hitting 1200-miles across Europe, from Sweden to Italy
General
16/06/21
A survey has found that three-quarters of UK drivers are worried about other road user’s bad driving on the road post lockdown
General
16/06/21
Following announcements of easing restrictions in Austria, Harley-Davidson has confirmed that European Bike Week 2021 is go!
New Bikes
16/06/21
Who said two-strokes were dead?! The Langen Two Stroke proves that smokers can live on into Euro 5 and beyond!
General
16/06/21
Galfer has a full range of road and track products, for 1,000s of motorcycles. Here’s a rundown of the halo products
Industry
15/06/21
The EU and US is reported to have resolved the 17-year-old trade tariff battle that has affected everything from wine to motorcycles
General
15/06/21
The foreign secretary claims a virtual trial is on the cards for Anne Sacoolas the suspect in the Harry Dunn case
New Bikes
14/06/21
Suzuki has announced that the GSX-R1000R and GSX-S750 will be available with 3% finance and the Katana on 0% APR HP
Gear
14/06/21
Yamaha has kindly opened up pandora’s box, and our long term MT-09 has been graced with a lovely Akrapovič full system exhaust
General
14/06/21
FOR many motorcyclists, a father, mother, or family member is the reason we got into the world of motorcycles. For me, it was my dad and his BSA B40, my two uncles and their collection of classic Brit’ bikes, and my two older cousins and their love of sports bikes that lit the fire in me.
Industry
14/06/21
A programme to test the viability of self-driving cars is to begin in Birmingham with a fleet of vehicles operating from this week
General
14/06/21
The track-only version of the Aprilia RS660 is now available to buy from the Factory Works website
Road Racing
12/06/21
The Isle of Man TT organisers have announced a raft of changes for the 2022 event including the news it will air live
Product News
12/06/21
With summer weather just around the corner, prepare for your next summer ride with the CE-approved adventuring kit from T.ur.
General
11/06/21
To find out how close the bike you can buy in a Honda dealership is to a BSB race bike, we went to Oulton Park to ride three very special Fireblades
General
09/06/21
Thor Motorcycles wins the Indian Motorcycle Project Scout £3k Challenge with the ‘Kermit’ Scout Bobber
MotoGP
09/06/21
KTM seems to be going all in with the aero devices as it wheeled out an innovative fairing in latest MotoGP test
General
09/06/21
KTM is calling on all riders to Go Adventure with World Adventure Week 2021 from July 5th to 11th
First Ride
08/06/21
We spent the last couple of weeks getting to know the all-new Honda CMX1100 Rebel in DCT-equipped form
New Bikes
07/06/21
The middleweight adventure motorcycle might be about gain a new cohort, as the Moto Morini X-Cape 650 makes its debut
General
07/06/21
A lockdown project like no other, Team Classic Suzuki creates GSX-R1000 Katana out of a 2008 World Superbike!
General
07/06/21
The Heron Suzuki XR69 that Mick Grant rode at the IoM TT, NW200 and Macau is going up for auction this month
Industry
02/06/21
Indian motorcycle giant Mahindra is set to open an advanced design facility in the West Midlands