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.
Industry
07/05/25
An entrepreneur and Shareholder in KTM holding company, Pierer Industrie AG, wants to cash in shares to repay a loan he apparently paid to PMG
New Bikes
07/05/25
The £500 Kawasaki New Rider Grant is available on a range of machines and is open to riders who have passed their test within the last 12-months
General
07/05/25
The Banbury Run is taking place on Sunday, June 8, with an estimated 300 bikes taking part in the round trip from Gaydon to Banbury
Viral
06/05/25
Hailed as the future of personal transport, the Volonaut Airbike is a single-person flying machine powered by a jet engine
New Bikes
06/05/25
A document on the California Air Resources Board points to a new Kawasaki Z1100 landing in the not too distant future
General
02/05/25
The sister of a rider who was seriously injured in a crash is calling for laws to be drawn up to make it mandatory for protective clothing to be worn when riding a motorcycle
New Bikes
30/04/25
The bike is inspired by the famous ‘Slippery Sam’ race bike, although this year’s example has a moodier aesthetic than before
General
30/04/25
The West Midlands Combined Authority is working with police forces and the West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner to increase the number of speed cameras
New Bikes
30/04/25
The bike, reported to be called the Benda BD250-3B, is built around an all-new boxer platform, and it has its sights set on Europe
Motorbike
29/04/25
Triumph has graced its mid-weight sports tourer with some upgrades for 2025, with new suspension and more tech landing on the Tiger Sport 660
New Bikes
29/04/25
The Voge RR525 features a 55bhp twin-cylinder engine, a braking system from Brembo and KYB suspension
Viral
29/04/25
The video has been released to act as a warning to riders and to press home the need for patience, especially in bad weather
Motorbike
28/04/25
Morbidelli has launched T1002V and T1002VX, a pair of rugged-looking adventure bikes with a V-twin heart
Motorbike
28/04/25
Triumph has graced its 2025 Trident 660 with a helpful boost in technology and some new colourways
Product News
26/04/25
The new Mitas Enduro Trail-ADV 2 hoops will be landing in May, and will replace the old Enduro Trail-ADV as the firm’s primary choice for ADV riders
General
25/04/25
A Nottinghamshire speed camera has captured more than 40,000 motorists and could have netted £4.1m in fines
General
23/04/25
Skoda has been digging around in the archives, and they’ve come up with this futuristic motorcycle design, inspired by the brand's history
General
23/04/25
Bridlington will once again be hosting beach racing on two and four wheels, as Race the Waves returns
General
22/04/25
The competition aims to highlight ‘Icons of British Originality’ according to the release, and it’ll focus on the expansive Triumph Bonneville range
General
22/04/25
The now derelict Brandon Stadium has been thrown a lifeline this year, after Rugby Council makes plans to restore the venue
General
22/04/25
The Kawasaki H2 HySE opened proceedings at the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos last weekend, with Matthias Höppner riding the hydrogen-powered machine
General
22/04/25
The Spanish authorities have introduced the 150kph (93mph) limit on the AP-7 in Catalonia
Industry
22/04/25
The move from KTM comes after its decision to focus entirely on the realignment of its own brands