Simon Hancocks
Digital Content Manager
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.
3693 articles
New Bikes
30/12/24
Reports from the USA suggest that a Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra will be hitting the streets in 2025
New Bikes
30/12/24
Norton has launched some extremely tasty offers on all its new bikes, with one such offering Commando 961 SP ownership for less than the price of a coffee a day
General
30/12/24
And I bet it’s not what you expected…
General
30/12/24
Iconic Auctioneers is set to sell what is claimed to be the UK’s biggest Yamaha race bike collection, estimated to be worth £250,000
Industry
30/12/24
By removing subsidies and changing tax rules, the Dutch government could make electric motorcycles a very hard sell in 2025
MotoGP
20/12/24
A sensational twist involving KTM could yet take place as reports claim its MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 projects are in jeopardy
Industry
20/12/24
KTM has officially spoken out about its ongoing issues, claiming it is to begin a 90-day period of stabilisation
General
20/12/24
The UK’s road network is continuing to deteriorate, as roads previously deemed to be adequate fall into disrepair
Industry
19/12/24
The news that we could all see coming has arrived, as Pierer Mobility-owned KTM puts its share in MV Agusta on the market
Industry
19/12/24
Pierer Mobility is reported to have called on the global bank and investment firm Citigroup, to help restructure the KTM brand
New Bikes
19/12/24
The move means any 2025 model-year Yamaha bikes, even those that have already been bought, receive the extra cover
Viral
19/12/24
Looking like something straight out of a science fiction film, this monowheel device is now prowling Chinese streets
General
19/12/24
Only built in small numbers between 1935 and 1940, Crocker Twins are among the rarest American motorcycles on the planet
General
18/12/24
Two yobs who were riding motorcycles illegally and in a dangerous manner have been jailed after assaulting a member of the public
BSB
18/12/24
Bathams Racing will be fielding Storm Stacey in BSB for 2025, and the video revealing the likeable racer does not disappoint
New Bikes
18/12/24
This plug-and-play kit from Holy Moly Motorcycles turns your Yamaha Tenere 700 into a modern-day XT600
MotoGP
18/12/24
As we look forward to the 2025 MotoGP season, you can relive Jorge Martin’s first championship crown with this beautiful book
Industry
17/12/24
Reports from Austria suggest that some KTM employees may not be receiving their wages in time for Christmas, as was previously promised
General
17/12/24
If you have seen the article about a supposedly new Netflix show about the life, and untimely death, of the MotoGP legend, it’s a scam, please don’t click on it
New Bikes
17/12/24
The BKX 125 is an A1 adventurer, while the BKX 125 S takes on a supermoto style and both arrive in 2025
Road Racing
17/12/24
With 17 TT wins and 31 podiums to his name, Dave Molyneux is one of the most successful and respected sidecar competitors at the event
Motorbike
16/12/24
Honda has launched its new range-topping naked bike, the CB1000 Hornet which features a retuned engine from the CBR1000RR
General
16/12/24
KTM has closed its partnership with the Sweet Lamb Adventure Centre in Wales and makes plans for an alternative
Industry
12/12/24
The move would only apply to driving bans to begin with, but could be expanded to share other motoring convictions further down the line