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.
CFMoto patents reveal adjustable ergonomics through handlebars and footpegs
CFMoto has filed patents that show handlebars and footpegs that can rise and drop at the push of a button.
Students from MIT have created a 300bhp hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle
Students from MIT have mated an old-school chassis with new-school technology - the result is a 300bhp Hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle.
Suzuki GSX-8T and GSX-8TT revealed as two new retro roadsters
The Suzuki GSX-8T and GSX-8TT use the same 776cc parallel twin engine as the V-Strom 800, GSX-8S and GSX-8R, all wrapped in neo-retro styling.
Brough and Richard Mille join forces for the RMB01
Brough Superior and the uber-expensive watch maker Richard Mille have joined forces - the result is the RMB01.
Honda CB1000R E-Clutch Patents Surface: CB1000 Hornet to follow?
Patents filed with the JPO show what looks like a CB1000R featuring Honda’s E-Clutch system
E20 is Coming – Here's What It Means for You and Your Motorcycle
The switch to E20 fuel is coming, and in some markets has already arrived. Here's What It Means for You and Your Motorcycle.
Turn your Harley-Davidson Pan America into a streetfighter
The people at Powerbrick have developed a bolt-on kit of parts that turns any Pan America 1250 into a minimalist streetfighter.
Ultraviolette F77: Mach 2 Review: Indian-Made E-Bike Breaks Electric Silence
The Ultraviolette F77: Mach 2 is a sporty-looking naked electric bike, with a motor that delivers 39bhp and 74lb ft of torque.
Arai Announces Helmet Price Hike in Japan: UK Pricing Unaffected For Now
Arai is set to adjust the pricing of some of its helmets, with the Japanese brand citing rising material and labour costs as the main reasons.
“We Will Smash You Up” Met Police Warn Illegal London E-Bike Criminals
A member of the Met Police has shared what tactics his team use to stop illegal e-bike riders, as the Met faces mounting pressure to take action.
North Yorkshire’s First Fixed Speed Camera Knocked Down On Day One
The new speed camera was installed in the village of Sherburn, although it was toppled, apparently on purpose, before it could even issue a ticket.
Shark Aeron GP Review: Road and Track With MotoGP-Spec Lid
Shark’s MotoGP-spec Aeron GP is something of a novelty in that it features moveable aerodynamic elements to reduce drag.
Ruroc Eox Motorcycle Helmet Review: A Better Product With a Few Glitches
The new flagship product in the Ruroc range is the Eox, a full carbon fibre lid with distinctive styling and an improvement in functionality over the Atlas 4.0.
Popular Trackday and Race Venue Under Threat From Nearby Developments
The Carole circuit near Paris is reported to be under threat, after a number of developments, including hotels, have sprung up in the area.
Michael Schumacher’s Honda Fireblade Race Bike Heads to Auction
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.
Audi Lets People Play Pictionary Through the TFT: And This is Okay?
Car drivers are easily distracted enough as it is, we can probably do without an Audi full of people playing Pictionary.
Caberg GP01 Review: FIM-Spec at a Budget Price Tag
Caberg has launched itself into the elite of helmet makers, with its cut-price FIM-spec GP01
Charity Motorcycle Ride Smashes £120,000 Total
The Longest Day Challenge sees riders heading from Land's End to John O’Groats on bikes costing no more than £600!
Honda E-Clutch Goes Small-Capacity With CL250 and Rebel 250
Honda is expanding its range of E-Clutch models, with the CL250 and Rebel 250 being next in line to gain the technology.
CFMoto Motorcycles UK Distributor Named
Quadzilla has been chosen as the UK distributor of CFMoto Motorcycles following its split from KTM.
There Are Just Days Left to Sign This Potentially Life Saving Petition
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
Electric ‘Fireblade’ Aiming for 2029 Le Mans Entry
Some students from Clermont-Ferrand recently unveiled a self-built electric race bike that started life as a Honda Fireblade.
Sidi Has a Whole New Look: “Nothing Will Change Except Everything”
The Italian boot maker, Sidi, has revealed a whole new brand identity, with on and off-road now clearly defined.
This Stunning Freddie Spencer Tribute Started Life as an ‘07 Fireblade
The custom bike maker RindPerformance has turned a 2007 Honda Fireblade SC52 into a homage to ‘Fast’ Freddie Spencer and his NS500