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.
First Ride
24/03/21
We’ve just put our first 100 miles on the Honda CB1000R Black Edition – here’s what we have learnt so far
New Bikes
24/03/21
The production of the Harley-Davidson Pan America has begun, as this video shows bike number one rolling off the production line
Advanced Riding
24/03/21
As we hopefully head back to some form of normality, the NMC has issued COVID-19 guidance for motorcyclists, group riders, and first responders
Industry
24/03/21
Motorcyclists in the East Midlands will soon have a new ride-out destination as Vertu Honda plans new Lenton Road ‘Supersite’
MotoGP
24/03/21
F1 and MotoGP circuit designer Dromo has submitted its plans for the Hungarian MotoGP circuit set to join the series in 2023
WorldSBK
24/03/21
The Provec Kawasaki WorldSSP 300 team has named Carla Grau Pi as Ana Carrasco’s team manager
New Bikes
23/03/21
We sat down with Andrew Cross from Integral Powertrain to discuss the performance potential of the Triumph TE-1 electric motorcycle
New Bikes
23/03/21
Triumph has officially unveiled its TE-1 electric motorcycle program the forerunner to its first production motorcycle
New Bikes
23/03/21
Chinese brand Hanway has announced a new adventure motorcycle called the G30 and it seems to be a copy of the Royal Enfield Himalayan!
New Bikes
22/03/21
Royal Enfield has pulled the wraps off its 2021 Euro5 Continental GT and Interceptor models
Top 10s
22/03/21
With Moto Guzzi celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, we thought we'd take a trip down memory lane and look at some all-time classic bikes from the Italian manufacturer
Product News
22/03/21
The new motorcycle clothing and accessory store is located in West Bromwich and should be open to the public by mid-April
General
22/03/21
The latest video campaign focusses on filtering safely, overtaking and more, and see the world through the eyes of a biker and car driver
MotoGP
19/03/21
Saudi Arabia to create a ‘city of motors’ that will host rally, cross country, motocross, and MotoGP
New Bikes
18/03/21
The Silence range of scooters incorporates bikes for urban commuters through to professional delivery couriers and business users
MotoGP
18/03/21
Andrea Dovizioso will be stepping back on a MotoGP 2021, as Aprilia RSGP test confirmed for Jerez
Industry
18/03/21
A Leeds councillor is taking the admirable step of backing motorcycles in a bus lane sharing trial
Industry
18/03/21
Ex-Norton Motorcycle CEO Stuart Garner assured the family the money was safe although showed ‘no compassion’
First Ride
17/03/21
SINCE 2015 the Tracer has been the sensible one in the otherwise lairy Yamaha MT family, with the GT model adding a bit more sophistication alongside it since 2016.
General
17/03/21
Health restrictions in Japan have forced the organisers of the EWC to push back the Suzuka 8 Hours motorcycle endurance race
General
17/03/21
Honda has cancelled the 2021 Adventure Roads motorcycle event in Iceland due to ongoing travel restrictions
Product News
17/03/21
LITELOK has announced its toughest bicycle and motorcycle lock to date, as the LITELOK CORE is announced
General
16/03/21
The Harley-Davidson Revolution Max engine that powers the new Pan America 1250 models is one of the most ambitious and advanced ever created by the firm
WorldSBK
16/03/21
The Belgian-based team last competed at WorldSBK level back in 2013 as a Bimota effort but is best-known for its title-winning exploits with Suzuki and Troy Corser in 2005