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.
WorldSBK heads to a new track in 2021 as Circuito de Navarra confirmed
The 2021 WorldSBK calendar has been updated with the Circuito de Navarra joining and Aragon hosting the season opener
Limited edition Triumph Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black
Triumph has announced two new limited edition bikes in the form of the Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black
Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak edition spotted on the road
The Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak edition has been spied on the road featuring revised suspension, wheels and swingarm
MotoGP racer Valentino Rossi take first win of the season – in court!
Valentino Rossi has won a court battle about the legitimacy of the MotoGP legend’s Tavullia villa
Anne Saccolas wants community service and to make ‘contribution’ to Harry Dunn
The suspect in the Harry Dunn case, Anne Sacoolas has said she is willing to do community service and contribute to his memory
Lockdown Easing | The COVID-19 response and how it affects you
As the Government charts a route out of COVID-19 with lockdown easing measures, Visordown looks at what the steps are and how they affect you
Motorcycle testing and training to resume after hiatus
The MCIA has confirmed that motorcycle testing, training, and CBT centres can open their doors again
The SkunkLock is a motorcycle lock that fights back!
The SkunkLock motorcycle lock releases pressurised gas when cut, spraying the thief with a ‘vomit-inducing chemicals’
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Honda X-ADV (2021) on and off-road video and editorial review
Visordown has spent the last couple of weeks hooning around on the new Honda X-ADV. Here’s what we have learnt about the updated 2021 model
BMF-backed National Motorcyclists Council launched
The National Motorcyclists Council will now represent the UK’s main motorcycling groups
Double trouble for CBT riders and retailers sees sales slip in February
Euro4 woes, closed dealerships and the lack of a CBT extension helped to slow new motorcycle sales in the UK in February
Best biking events for when Coronavirus Lockdown lifts!
The Government’s revealing of a roadmap out of Lockdown is great news – particularly if you’re a biker and eager to get to motorcycle events
The Top 10 ultimate ‘Maxi-Scooters’ you can buy – ever!
With Yamaha rolling out the new 20th Anniversary TMAX this week, we thought we'd take a look at the best Maxi-Scooters you can buy
Shednought | New £10,000 British-built utility bike launched
The Shednought is aimed at tech fans and geeks who want a modular electric bike that can be upgraded and altered thanks to its modular design
VIDEO: Royal Enfield 650cc cruiser spotted on the road
The eagerly awaited Royal Enfield 650cc cruiser has been spotted undergoing on-road testing prior to its official launch
The Budget and Bikes | Motorcycle road tax to increase
As part of the chancellor’s budget, motorcycle road tax will be increasing although so will spending on maintaining the roads
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Yamaha MT-09 2021 first ride and review | New Hypernaked tested
We've been on the press riding launch of the new 2021 Yamaha MT-09 - here's everything you need to know about the new bike
Yamaha TMAX 20th Anniversary special edition announced
Yamaha is celebrating 20-years of the TMAX with a new special edition model
BMW Motorrad Days 2021 has been cancelled due to COVID-19
BMW has cancelled the 2021 Motorrad Days event scheduled to take place in Berlin later this year
The full history of the iconic Indian Chief motorcycle
With three new 2021 Indian Chief models being revealed already this year, Visordown thought we'd take a look at how the model came to be
2021 Aprilia RSV4 and RSV4 Factory power output and torque revealed
The eagerly awaited 2021 Aprilia RSV4 and RSV4 Factory are edging closing and new details regarding the bikes have just arrived
What we know about the Harley-Davidson 1250 Custom
The launch of the Harley-Davidson Pan America was the big talking point last month, but there was some insight into the new 1250 Custom model too
MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov has eyes on MotoGP by the end of the decade
The CEO of MV Agusta has spoken about his plans for the Moto2 championship and how he plans to join the MotoGP championship
Have your say on the new and updated version of the Highway Code
The Highways England has launched a new consultation on proposed changes to the Highway Code – and you can have your say
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