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.
Which type of heated motorcycle clothing is best for you?
Heated motorcycle clothing is a must for riding through winter and it comes in a few different varieties - to find out which is best suited to you, read on
National Highways Traffic Officer: “Smart Motorways given to us as a lie”
A Panorama investigation has highlighted the shortcomings of the UK's Smart Motorways, with one National Highways insider branding them a ‘lie’
On-road motorcycle tyre mousse system revealed for adventure bikes
Being stuck at the roadside with a puncture could soon be a thing of the past, as a motorcycle tyre mousse system for on-road motorcycles is announced
Top 10 air-cooled bikes you can still buy new in the UK
air-cooled bikes are becoming less common as Euro emissions regulations take hold - here are the ten best air-cooled motorcycles you can buy in the UK
Turn your Yamaha Ténéré 700 into a retro Dakar racer!
Crispy Club has developed a bolt-on kit for the Yamaha Ténéré 700 that transforms the bike into a retro-styled Dakar Rally machine
Yezdi launch Adventure, Scrambler and Roadster motorcycles for 2022
Classic Legends and Yezdi have just announced three new bikes to hit the market in 2022, the Yezdi Adventure, Yezdi Scrambler, and Yezdi Roadster
Travis Pastrana leaves Red Bull after signing with Black Rifle Coffee Company
Action sports giant Red Bull has lost one of its biggest stars to the relatively unknown (in the UK anyway) Black Rifle Coffee Company
Isle of Man TT Ride on the Edge 3 gameplay footage released
The latest Isle of Man TT game, Ride on the Edge 3, looks more polished than before, with dynamic improvements to the in-game physics
CCM Spitfire Dakar & Baja Tributes begging to go into production
The CCM Spitfire Dakar Rallye 600 and Baja 1000 tribute bikes feature long-travel suspension, upswept exhausts, and a host of off-road goodies!
Ruroc Atlas 4.0 announced with ECE 22.06 certification
Picking up where the 3.0 left off, the Ruroc Atlas 4.0 keeps the aggressive styling but adds more comfort, less noise and improved safety
Smart Motorway rollout paused amid government investigation
The government is ‘pausing’ the smart motorway rollout and injecting £900m to ‘ensure drivers feel safe and confident’
Cancellation headache for some MCE insurance customers
A letter from MCE confirms the motorcycle insurance firm is cancelling insurance polices January 31st 2022
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 2022 rumoured changes and details
The internet is awash with rumours that the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is getting updated in 2022 with a bigger engine and more power
Excelle 525X adventure motorcycle | can it take on Honda and KTM?
THE Excelle 525X is a middleweight adventure motorcycle that has just been officially launched in Asia, and should it one day come to the UK in some form or another, it actually might be quite good.
Learner rider | How to pass your motorcycle test first time
It’s the final hurdle you need to pass to get on two wheels. To save you the cost and misery of a fail here is how to pass your motorcycle test and avoid the most common fails
Aprilia leaning multi-wheel trike development continues
Aprilia is fleshing out its leaning multi-wheel trike idea, as new patent images show in detail its frame and suspension set up
Michelin boosts sports touring offering with Road 6
The new Michelin Road 6 hoops will arrive in 18 sizes including a GT variant for heavy weight touring and sports motorcycles
Alpinestars launch next generation Tech-Air airbag systems at CES
Alpinestars has pulled the wraps off four new Tech-Air motorcycle airbag systems at CES Las Vegas
Dakar racer receives tough penalty after second motorcycle incident
Giniel De Villiers the driver for the Toyota Gazoo Racing in the Dakar has received tough sanctions after a second motorcycle incident
REC Watches – Timepieces constructed from iconic vehicles
REC timepieces feature recovered, reclaimed, and recycled elements, taken from some of the most iconic motorcycles and cars in history
Honda RC213V-S breaks auction record with eye-watering price
A box-fresh and brand new Honda RC123V-S has become the most expensive Japanese motorcycle sold at auction
Colove-built 75hp 400cc inline four-cylinder engine incoming
Colove is reported to be in the development stage of a new inline four-cylinder, 400cc engine that makes a claimed 75hp!
Relive every race from the MotoGP career of Valentino Rossi
A major new book from MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley charts the highs and lows of the career of Valentino Rossi
Buying a new motorcycle: Personal Contract Purchase explained
If you’re thinking of buying a new bike, there is a strong chance you’ve heard the phrase PCP mentioned. If you don’t know what it means – read on.