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
General
12/12/24
The move would see all single-carriageway roads in Scotland reduced from 60 to 50mph while dual-carriageways could also be changed
Industry
11/12/24
The European People's Party is one of the most powerful, and it wants a rethink of the current petrol and diesel ban
General
11/12/24
The bike is the definition of the phrase ‘barn find’ and offers the opportunity to own a timewarp example of Ducati’s iconic 750SS
General
11/12/24
The 2015 Darwin Motorcycles Brawler GT-R was commissioned by the actor Tim Allen, who also had a big hand in its development
New Bikes
11/12/24
Stark Varg has made its battery-powered dirt bike road legal, and in some cases, it can be ridden on a car licence
General
11/12/24
The move would mean anyone riding an electrically assisted bicycle or e-scooter would need a licence and insurance
New Bikes
11/12/24
With around 40bhp the Hightail is less potent than the Stark Varg but should still be a riot to ride
Product News
11/12/24
The new Shark OXO is the only flip-front showing in the current Shark UK range
New Bikes
10/12/24
The frankly beautiful-looking new Bobber TFC is limited to just 750 number editions worldwide
General
10/12/24
The Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic at Stafford takes place January 11 and 12 and Wayne Gardner will be in attendance
Motorbike
10/12/24
A new more powerful and torque-rich Kawasaki Versys has landed now boasting a chunky 133bhp
Motorbike
10/12/24
Triumph’s latest bike has big boots to fill, as the new and updated two-bike Speed Twin 1200 range steps up in place of the Thruxton
Commercial
10/12/24
There have been big changes for the two flagship touring models from Kawasaki this year, here’s what they are
New Bikes
10/12/24
Boasting the new 890 L-twin that was announced earlier this year, the new bike also features revised styling alongside reduced weight
General
10/12/24
The bike might be a (very) acquired taste, but Great British Bake Off judge, Paul Hollywood, is selling his 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback
General
09/12/24
Built by Melbourne engineer Ian Drysdale, the bike features a V8 engine that boasts 120bhp and revs to over 16,000 rpm
Viral
09/12/24
Yamaha’s Tenere 700 is already a renowned ADV bike and part-time hard enduro competitor, but did you know it can backflip?
Viral
09/12/24
It happened at the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade after the officer allegedly tried to pull a wheelie but lost control
New Bikes
08/12/24
A Ducati Panigale V4 Tricolore has been announced, as a strictly limited edition of just 1,000 bikes featuring special paint and trick parts
General
06/12/24
The new TVS engine will be powering an entire range of new bikes, according to the Indian brand, and boasts 34bhp peak power
New Bikes
06/12/24
Kawasaki Germany is celebrating 50 years in the business with a very sweet-looking limited edition Z900 RS
General
05/12/24
British automotive maker Ariel is turning the page on motorcycle building, as the final Honda-powered Ariel Ace rolls out of the factory
New Bikes
03/12/24
Yamaha has unveiled a crazy-looking concept bike that looks like it came straight from the set of an Anime film
Viral
03/12/24
Please, if you enter a raffle for a new bike, try not to crash it as soon as it's delivered - you make the rest of us look bad