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
08/09/21
The BMW Vision AMBY boasts 37mph top speed and a range of up to 68 miles between charges
New Bikes
07/09/21
One of the best middleweight A2 compliant motorcycles on the planet is updated for 2022 with new Urban option added to the range
General
07/09/21
The Ride Out to Help Out campaign from Triumph is aimed at helping out struggling motorcycle business post COVID-19
Industry
07/09/21
Those planning a foreign tour in the EU will have to ditch GB stickers and number plates and replace them with new UK ones
New Bikes
07/09/21
Honda have tweeted a teaser image showing CB1100 EX and RS final edition models – is it the end of the air-cooled inline four?
New Bikes
06/09/21
Royal Enfield is going back to its classic roots, with the Classic 350 that’s been rolled out in India and hitting these shores in the spring 2022
General
06/09/21
As Lewisham Council announces plans to bring in parking charges for motorcycles in the borough, is the end in sight for free motorcycle parking?
General
06/09/21
American Honda is auctioning three iconic Repsol Fireblades to raise money for Ride For Kids and the fight against brain tumours
New Bikes
06/09/21
One of the most significant new motorcycles from Italian brand Moto Guzzi has been spied ahead of its official release
First Ride
03/09/21
With its comfortable ergonomics, 108bhp and decent suspension, is the Ducati SuperSport 950 S the Italian sports bike you should be buying?
New Bikes
02/09/21
BMW is looking to take a swipe of the young rider market as the all-electric Grom-a-like CE 02 concept is announced
Industry
01/09/21
The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 and 1250 Special have become the best selling Adventure Touring Motorcycles in the States
New Bikes
01/09/21
New Triumph Tiger 1200 edges closer after new testing pictures emerge showing the bike behaving like no Tiger 1200 has ever before!
New Bikes
01/09/21
The Honda CBR500R, CB500X, and CB500F have gained updates for 2022, including Euro5 engines and upgraded chassis components
General
01/09/21
Today marks the first day that E10 Petrol is available to use – find out how to check its compatibility with your vehicle here
New Bikes
31/08/21
One of the most popular entry-level sports bikes on the planet has been updated, with both the 2022 KTM RC390 and RC125 gaining significant updates
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