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.
Classic TT begins with un-timed laps for some riders
The Isle of Man Classic TT got underway of sorts yesterday, as Senior and Junior Classic TT competitors took to the track in untimed sessions
Top 10 Supernaked Motorcycles of 2019
For those that still need their superbike thrills just with a few more flies in the teeth, few bikes can deliver quite like a super naked. Here’s are current pick of the crop
Harley-Davidson Pan America spotted – it’s real!
A video posted on YouTube seems to show Harley-Davidson’s latest foray into the Adventure bike sector with the new Pan America
Indian’s FTR1200 proves wheelie good at wheelies!
A standard Indian FTR1200 has broken records at the World Wheelie Championships this week after clocking 145mph!
Could the BSA marque be getting a revival?
With the long-dead motorcycle brand Yezdi making a reappearance on Instagram this week, Visordown ponders if BSA could too be making a comeback
Is Yamaha about to announce a retro XSR125?
Yamaha Thailand have announced the XSR155 retro naked motorcycle, could we see a 125cc variant unveiled at this winter’s bike shows?
Full Classic TT TV coverage and event schedule
With the worlds greatest classic motorcycle road race nearly upon us, here’s all you need to know ahead of the 2019 Classic TT
Harley-Davidson to champion group-guided cruise control
Harley-Davidson is applying for a patent that will enable groups of riders to maintain a constant speed thanks to kinematics and radar-guided cruise control
Why Harley-Davidson’s bold vision should return it to former glories
With trade tariffs from Washington, an aging customer base and competition muscling on its territory, Visordown asks, will Harley-Davidson survive this rough patch?
Top 10 Enduro Motorcycles of 2019
With autumn just around the corner and trackdays becoming less appealing, Visordown looks at the best bikes to go hitting the green lanes and trails this winter
Are electrically powered micro scooters legal to ride on the road?
With more and more electrically powered adult-sized scooters appearing in big cities, Visordown’s gives you the legal lowdown on these lightweight machines
If we ban Bluetooth calling when riding, where does it all end?
With the recent news that using a Bluetooth headset at the wheel or when riding a motorcycle could soon be banned, Visordown asks what’s next on the MP’s hitlist
We’ve tested the Silverstone track surface ahead of British MotoGP…
Visordown gives the freshly laid Silverstone surface a good run-in last week ahead of the 2019 British MotoGP event on August 23-25
Celebrate 40 years since Kick Start first aired on TV
Kickstart and Junior Kick Start were nailed on favourites with the UK motorcycle community. Let us take a look back to celebrate forty years since its launch
NeuWai release world’s ugliest electric bike
Chinese manufacturer NeuWai has announced the MF104 and MT104 electric motorcycles, and now we wish we hadn’t looked.
Rubberised roads begin M6 trial
Aggregates manufacturer Tarmac are to begin a trail on the M6 motorway that sees recycled tyres form part of the road surface
MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro builds begin
MV Agusta has begun the production of the firms most powerful naked motorcycle this week as the 212hp naked motorcycle begins to take shape
Triumph Speed Triple RS (2019) review
We’ve been getting to grips with Triumph’s iconic Speed Triple these last few weeks, here’s what we’ve found out
Here’s how not to hit a ramp on a bike!
Motorcycle stunt rider Cole Freeman takes a tumble as his Harley-Davidson falls from a stunt ramp
Two new Triumph Rocket 3 models break cover
We have the full specs of the long-awaited Triumph Rocket 3, with two new motorcycles, all the specs and details you need to know
Motorcycle Club to raise £10k for fallen friend
A motorcycle club is to to raffle of a Harley-Davidson that belonged to their late friend to help raise funds for the hospice that helped him in his final days
Electric $82,000 Lito SORA Generation 2 unveiled
The machine features a number of innovative features including a touch-screen LCD dash and electrically adjustable seat.
That’s one smoking ride!
Indian motorcycles are taking an unusual custom motorcycle to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this year, that includes a barbecue instead of a sidecar.
The Speed Triple at 25 – How it became the UK’s favourite motorcycle
With the iconic Triumph Speed Triple popping corks for its quarter-century birthday this year, we explain how this model became one of the nation’s favourite naked motorcycles.