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 tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II | 1926 – 2022 |
With the news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Visordown pays tribute to the longest serving monarch in British history
Arai RX-7V Evo road and track review after six months
Toad’s been out and about testing the Arai RX-7V Evo for the last six months, on road and track – here’s his definitive verdict
Northamptonshire Police gain innovative new police bikes
They are unlikely to be able to keep up with a stolen Fireblade, but the Northamptonshire Police’s fleet of hybrid electric motorcycles is here regardless
AGV Pista GP-RR road and track review after one year of use
Toad has been using the AGV Pista GP-RR for a year now and while there is still plenty of life in it yet - he thought it was time for a review
Shellios Puros motorcycle helmet features HEPA filtration
The Shellios Puros motorcycle helmet includes a HEPA filtration system to help you breathe clean in even the most polluted of cities
Motorcycle and Airbus A320 collide at Conakry, Guinea
A motorcycle and Airbus A320 airliner have collided on the runway of Conakry in Guinea resulting in the death of two people
What should I do if a thief tries to steal my motorcycle or 'bikejack' me?
Thefts of motorcycles and scooters - including 'bikejacking' - remains rife across the country... but what should you do if you are targeted?
Horsin' around | How should I overtake a horse when riding my motorcycle?
The chances of encountering a horse on a ride in the countryside is high - but how should you overtake a horse safely when riding a motorcycle
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
We always want what we can't have | Top 10 Motorcycles we don’t get in the UK
Imports rules, emissions regulations or simply not feasible for this market, here are ten bikes the UK doesn’t get but we wish we did
Custom motorcycles land builders behind bars in Gloucestershire!
A show of custom motorcycles is to take place in September within the walls of Gloucester Prison as the Kickback Motorbike show is banged up
Is a Honda Rebel 1100 Tour about to join the range in 2023?
The chatter behind the scenes seems to be pointing to a Honda Rebel 1100 Tour edition joining the range next year
Buyers Guide | Toads Top Four Current Triumph Motorcycles
Toad picks out his four favourite current Triumph motorcycles and shares why he thinks they deserve your attention
Modern Motorcycling | Top ten things we really miss
The motorcycle world has changed a lot in the last 20 or 30 years – but is it all for the better?
Master-stroke | What are the Top 10 best two-stroke motorcycles worth today?
Here's our top ten list of the best two-stroke motorcycles of all time, and what they'll cost you today
The Ultimate Bucket List | Motorcycles you must ride before you die
It might be the power, the speed or the fact that they change the motorcycle landscape forever – here are our bucket list motorcycles
Motocross legend Dave Thorpe autobiography announced | No Regrets
Dave Thorpe is well-known as the greatest British motocross racer of all time. He won three 500cc World Championships in the 1980s and amassed 22 Grand Prix victories.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
New LiveWire One ridden at Goodwood Festival of Speed
The Goodwood Festival of Speed gave us the chance of ride a custom LiveWire One race bike created by SMCO
2022 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory review | Road and track test
Visordown has spent the last month getting to grips with the Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory for this road and track review
Full 2022 BSA Gold Star Review | Ridden on real-ish roads
The wait is over! The new 2022 BSA Gold Star review is here and we spent all day on the new model at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedford
E-scooter trials extended despite DfT stats showing spike in injuries
The Department for Transport has extended the end date for schemes and given authorities the power to abandon them all together
Visordown goes mini-bike racing with Galfer in Spain!
At the press test of the Galfer G-1310 racing brake pads, Visordown got a chance to swing a leg over some MiniGP and Mini-Supermoto bikes
Toad Talks | The petrol price problem – fun vs frugality
There has been a lot of chatter re petrol prices in the news lately – for very good reason – here’s Toad’s two pence worth
Backin' Up | How do you safely back in a motorcycle?
The dark art of sliding a motorcycle through a corner might seem like the preserve of the track riding elite, but with some practice you too could back in a motorcycle in less than a day
Motorcycle Journalist heads to Ukraine on two wheels
Motorcycle journalist and photographer Neale Bayly is heading into Ukraine on two wheels to document the plight of the people in the warzone
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT