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
16/03/21
Honda has filed for the name Transalp in the US, pointing to the return of the popular adventure motorcycle
General
16/03/21
A motorcycle thief has been jailed for 21 months despite pleeding to be spared after raising concerns over supporting his family financially if he was jailed
![Josh Brookes, Tarran Mackenzie, Jason O'Halloran BSB 2020 [credit: Ian Hopgood Photography]](https://cdn.visordown.com/field/image/Josh%20BrookesAK8I1163%20%281%29.jpg?width=1500)
BSB
16/03/21
An updated 2021 British Superbike calendar has been released, with the new tweaks hopefully opening the door to fans
General
16/03/21
A mildly modified KTM 390 Adventure has taken the victory on the world’s highest hill climb race
New Bikes
15/03/21
Legendary Italian brand Moto Guzzi might just have hidden a new model in plain site in this centenary anniversary image
New Bikes
15/03/21
The Harley-Davidson optional Adaptive Ride Height system is a big talking point of the new model - here's what it does and how it can be configured
New Bikes
15/03/21
The new touring addition to the BMW R18 range has been revealed in a series of design patent drawings
General
12/03/21
When looking back through history for people who truly change motorcycling, nothing comes close to the story of two-stroke pioneer Ernst Degner
BSB
12/03/21
The Powerslide Catfoss Racing Suzuki team have just revealed the bike Bjorn Estment will campaign in the 2021 championship
New Bikes
12/03/21
Homologation documents are pointing to a new lighter KTM 1290 Adventure arriving in 2021
New Bikes
12/03/21
Chinese company Longjia is in the process of bringing a 650cc cruiser type motorcycle to market – and it’s refreshingly original
General
12/03/21
A serial noise complainer in France has been ordered by a court to pay the Nogaro Circuit damages after his campaign of complaints against motorcycle racing noise!
New Bikes
11/03/21
The filings with the California Air Resources Board suggest the new model will be the much-awaited MT-07-engined sports bike
New Bikes
11/03/21
Italian firm Arton Works have announced two café racer fairing kits for the Triumph Trident 660
New Bikes
11/03/21
A successful round of bridge financing has hit $30m while the electric motorcycle brand claims to have made $20m in pre-orders
Industry
11/03/21
Harley-Davidson has planted the seeds of its dedicated electric vehicle division with the appointment of a new team leader
General
11/03/21
The move comes after Police Scotland received numerous reports of illegal off-road bike being ridden on public land
General
11/03/21
The ‘Go Left!’ campaign from is to remind drivers that if they have a breakdown in a live lane they should seek refuge on the inside
MotoGP
11/03/21
Ducati rider Johann Zarco has hit an amazing 219mph during the Qatar test while factory rider Jack Miller sets a new track record
New Bikes
10/03/21
Ducati has announced a new model from the Land of Joy, as the Desert Sled Fasthouse is announced
General
10/03/21
The National Motorcycle Museum is set to reopen its doors to the public after successful raffle fundraising events
Road Racing
10/03/21
It’s been confirmed today that the Classic TT presented by Bennetts has been cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19
MotoGP
10/03/21
Yamaha MotoGP test rider Cal Crutchlow has stated that he might race in 2021 should he be asked by the team
New Bikes
10/03/21
The learner legal Sinnis Terrain T125 gets more power for 2021, a smoother delivery and the same rugged charm it always had