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
30/06/25
The jury is out as to what this model could actually be, although we’re guessing a new variation on the 776cc parallel twin-cylinder platform.
General
30/06/25
The Carole circuit near Paris is reported to be under threat, after a number of developments, including hotels, have sprung up in the area.
General
30/06/25
The Honda Fireblade was built by Holzhauer Racing Performance for Schumacher, who used it for test days and track days during his sabbatical from F1.
General
29/06/25
Car drivers are easily distracted enough as it is, we can probably do without an Audi full of people playing Pictionary.
Gear
28/06/25
Caberg has launched itself into the elite of helmet makers, with its cut-price FIM-spec GP01
General
27/06/25
The Longest Day Challenge sees riders heading from Land's End to John O’Groats on bikes costing no more than £600!
New Bikes
27/06/25
Honda is expanding its range of E-Clutch models, with the CL250 and Rebel 250 being next in line to gain the technology.
Industry
27/06/25
Quadzilla has been chosen as the UK distributor of CFMoto Motorcycles following its split from KTM.
Product News
26/06/25
The petition was set up by a well-known motorcycle safety campaigner who wants to stamp out the imports of shady gear - but there are only days left for it to hit 10k signatures
General
26/06/25
Some students from Clermont-Ferrand recently unveiled a self-built electric race bike that started life as a Honda Fireblade.
Product News
26/06/25
The Italian boot maker, Sidi, has revealed a whole new brand identity, with on and off-road now clearly defined.
General
26/06/25
The custom bike maker RindPerformance has turned a 2007 Honda Fireblade SC52 into a homage to ‘Fast’ Freddie Spencer and his NS500
General
25/06/25
Futuristic Yamaha concept scoops prestigious design prize
Motorbike
25/06/25
For 2025, the Yamaha Tracer 7 receives its most comprehensive update since its launch, with a revised chassis, more tech and new styling
Motorbike
20/06/25
If you are looking for a slice of all-American attitude, few bikes can come close to the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.
New Bikes
20/06/25
Honda has reduced the price of its Vision 110 scooter and is offering a discounted security pack as a bonus.
Product News
19/06/25
Morbidelli has revised its pricing and thrown a luggage bundle at its T1002 adventure twins, just in time to run it in on a summer tour.
General
19/06/25
The French National Assembly has approved the abolition of low-emission zones, with many viewing them as unfairly impacting low-income individuals
Viral
19/06/25
Honda has completed its first successful launch and landing of a reusable rocket, hitting its target with sub-metre precision and edging closer to a future in space tech.
New Bikes
19/06/25
The patent images show a 500SR Voom decked out with wheel discs, front brake shrouds and a different tail tidy.
General
19/06/25
The GRR by XTR Pepo is a retro supermono race rep’ based on the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
Product News
19/06/25
Alpinestars introduces the new All Terra range, built for riders who don’t stick to the road or the weather forecast.
New Bikes
18/06/25
Everything is gaining a light update, from the bike many of us started on, the Yamaha PW50, to the top-spec YZ450F
Gear
18/06/25
The Shark Aeron is the French brand’s road-biased lid based on its top-spec racing helmet, the Aeron GP