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.
A new teaser from Suzuki seems to relate to a new GSX-R model
A new teaser video has landed on the Suzuki YouTube channel, and all signs point to a new GSX-R in one form or another.
Volonaut shares new ‘raw’ footage of its air bike in action
Volonaut has announced the price of its flying bike - and as you can expect, it isn’t cheap!
Billy Bolt and Jonny Walker take on the Red Bull Hardline Course
Enduro legends Billy Bolt and Johnny Walker have taken part in a race with a pair of top-level downhill mountain bike racers at the Red Bull Hardline course.
Super rare Ducati 400SS is heading to auction
The Ducati 400SS was built for the Italian and Japanese markets, where restrictions for learner riders were holding back sales.
Hazen Motorworks has finished the Ferrari V8-powered custom motorcycle
A project to mount a Ferrari V8 engine in a motorcycle is now finished, as Hazen Motorworks fires up the HF355 for the first time
Storm clouds over LiveWire? Execs selling shares is a troubling sign
LiveWire execs are offloading shares as financial losses mount, raising fresh concerns about the electric motorcycle brand's long-term stability.
European new motorcycle registrations are down in 2025
Motorcycle and moped registrations fall across Europe in early 2025, with Spain the only major market showing growth.
India is gaining a Honda CB125 Hornet: Euro launch to follow?
Honda India has announced a new CB125 Hornet, which was announced on HMSI’s 25th anniversary.
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It’s going to start getting harder for dodgy traders to sell untested motorcycle kit
A new UK law aims to stamp out unsafe products sold online by giving regulators more power to act fast and keep consumers protected.
Voge is getting into the sports bike game, with the RR500S
The Voge RR500S is a 475cc inline four-cylinder sportsbike that revs to 14,000 rpm and boasts 74 bhp.
Start them young with Ducati ride-on electric motorcycles
Ducati has teamed up with Peg Perego to create a range of electric children’s ride-on Ducati toys.
DigGia swapped his Desmosedici for a classier ride around Hollywood
Pertamina Enduro VR46 rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio, took to the streets of LA recently, although his riding and lack of riding gear are being called into question.
CFMoto looks to be working on a motorcycle with deployable wings
Patents show that CFMoto is working on building deployable winglets on its range of sports motorcycles.
Donington Park could be getting 4,250 new neighbours
A new housing and business development is being discussed that could spring up on the doorstep of one of the UK’s best-loved racing tracks - Donington Park.
Mash goes sporty with Jedi-derived K750 sports bike
Mash, best known for its retro cafe racer and scrambler motorcycles, is switching things up with the unveiling of a new sports bike.
Honda will be revealing its Koraidon motorcycle at Suzuka
The Koraidon Pokémon bike features self-balancing technology, and Honda will be revealing it to the world at the Suzuka 8 Hour.
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Ural is building its most cost-effective motorcycle and sidecar ever
The Ural Neo 500 is built in collaboration with Yingang and is set to cost under £11,000.
Bromyard Moto Parc motocross track is on the market, but it’s not cheap!
A 125-acre Herefordshire farm complete with a popular motocross track hits the market.
A custom shop has turned a Yamaha MT-09 into an inline three-cylinder Tenere
An Australian custom bike shop has turned a previous generation Yamaha MT-09 into a Tenere rivalling rally bike.
Let the carnage begin: 100mph e-scooter developed
Bo’s 100mph Turbo e-scooter pushes engineering boundaries—but raises serious questions about safety and sanity on our streets.
Burglary victim who chased thieves cleared of dangerous driving
The defendant and homeowner in the Dean Barnes case has been cleared, but there is much more to this ruling than simply victim justice.
This is the updated Norton V4 model
Norton has shared images of its next-generation superbike, showing the machine undergoing testing ahead of its official reveal later this year.
Reports suggest Honda Monkey Baja 125 is returning
Reports from well-connected outlets in Japan suggest that the Honda Monkey Baja 125, which is inspired by the 1992 XR600R Baja, could be returning.
Energica sparks back into life following bankruptcy
Reports point to Energica being saved after investors in the Italian electric motorcycle maker have been found.
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