Simon Hancocks

Simon Hancocks's picture

Simon Hancocks

Head of Content

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.

Articles by Simon Hancocks
It was a Biposta and has been converted to a Monoposto but is there another reason its auction estimated is so low?
The yearly pilgrimage for Moto Guzzi fans is confirmed for September as Mandello del Lario once again opens its doors
The DesertX Discovery features new paint, engine and bodywork protection, luggage and other adventure touring accessories
The bike is a faithful replica of the one used by McQueen in the 60s and 70s, and just 300 were ever built
With Shimano revealing a brake-by-wire system for mountain bikes, we wonder if the tech could make it onto motorcycles
KTM’s class-leading learner bike is dripping with the kind of technology you normally find on much more expensive machines
Yamaha has developed its own motorcycle automatic gearbox, the Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission or AMT
Ducati’s new Hypermotard 698 is the most powerful single-cylinder on the market, with advanced electronics and top-spec chassis equipment   
MotoGP and WorldSBK legend Rubén Xaus is helping to reopen Harley-Davidson’s flagship Manchester store
The eight custom XSR900 GPs shown at Wheels and Waves 2024 each boasted a famous colour scheme from Yamaha’s Grand Prix racing history
The new Monimoto 9 motorbike tracker boasts a rechargeable battery and is also suitable for ATVs, boats, trailers and much more
After becoming a technical partner to Gresini earlier this year, the Dragster Gresini MotoGP replica arrives
New motorcycle registrations in the UK grew slightly at the start of Q2, although bad weather, election uncertainty and the cost of living all hit the PTW market
A section of the M25 is set to close in July, just before the UK school holidays are set to begin
Earlier this month a story unfolded regarding a reported certification and testing ‘scandal’ that affected Yamaha, although it’s not quite as bad as you might think
Shortly after the Chinese brand revealed its Suou grand touring machine, a naked cruiser using the same engine breaks cover - and it’s eerily familiar
The new bike will be limited to 925 units worldwide and will be celebrating the life of ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ and his Memphis Mafia
Royal Enfield’s Himalayan Basecamp will be one of the biggest stands at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2024
The event is to celebrate 10 years since the Scrambler brand was born at WDW, and will comprise three separate legs
The limited edition model has been owned by the same person for 27 years and is in surprisingly good condition  
After 40 years of making some of the most iconic sports motorcycles The GSX-R brand is losing its halo model
Retro brand Brixton is eyeing the large capacity adventure bike sector, as patent filings showing a 1200cc ADV bike emerge
A video posted on social media showing a police officer berating a filtering motorcyclist gets an expert verdict
A round of the 2024 Suzuki International Series in New Zealand will feature adventure bikes racing on asphalt, and we’re jealous
Roland Sands will be building one of three new custom-built Indian Scouts, each of which will feature in the YouTube documentary ‘Forged’