Simon Hargreaves
BikeSocial Road Tester
Ferociously lazy, 49 year-old veteran bike hack Hargreaves took to motorcycles early in life when he realised twisting a throttle was less effort than pedalling. His first field bike was a BSA Bantam D15, which he was given for free and sold to a proto-Hipster for £15 in 1983. It was the first, only and last time he sold a bike for profit.
Simon H, has been, a professional motorcycle journalist for 25 years, although he prefers “writer” because, “I’m an enthusiastic amateur; I just love bikes and writing about them.” Over the years of contributing to Performance Bikes, Bike, RiDE, Motorcycle News, Practical Sportsbikes, MCN Sport and Motorcycle Sport & Leisure among others, he’s ridden almost every motorbike there is to ride, from an Italjet Tiffany to Honda’s RCV211V MotoGP bike. He’s toured Europe, ridden on most major racetracks around the world, and raced a Bugatti Veyron on an S1000RR.
As one half of Front End Chatter, Britain’s longest-running biking podcast, Simon H admits in same way some people have a face for radio, he has a voice for writing.
Simon also plays bass in a successful function band, the High Rollers, and especially enjoys writing biogs about himself. Like this one.
Recent Posts
- Features
Front End Chatter - episode 213
On this episode of FEC: we discuss Triumph's Tiger Sport 800 and BMW's R1300GSA, why MotoGP might get interesting again, the Supercharged Showdown, and much much more
By Simon Hargreaves03/06/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 212
On this episode of FEC: the rise of Chinese bikes, US tariffs, KTM woes, the future of motorcycling and much, much more.
By Simon Hargreaves19/05/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 211
On this episode of FEC: news of BMW's R1300R, how to make a 25k GSA better for a tenner, Yamaha's hybrid MT-09 and KTM in more trouble?
By Simon Hargreaves25/04/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 210
On this episode of FEC we chatter about: Honda's Hornet 1000, Ixon and Canon Basil H Davies and a game of 'if bikes were family members'... plus lots more
By Simon Hargreaves07/04/2025 - Honda
Honda CB750 Hornet (2023-24 & 2025-) - Review
Honda revives the Hornet name in new lightweight, high-revving, 90hp twin-cylinder roadster
By Simon Hargreaves21/03/2025 - BMW
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure (2025) – Review
Replacement for BMW’s best-selling R 1250 GS Adventure is almost all brand new.
By Simon Hargreaves18/03/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 209
On this episode of FEC we chatter about: the latest news from the ailing KTM factory, bad news from the Nürburgring, FEC highland Fling 2 and much more
By Simon Hargreaves27/02/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 208
What’s actually in the podcast? I’d tell you but, honestly, on this occasion it’s easier to just listen!
By Simon Hargreaves24/01/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 207
We look back at Bike Magazine from 2005, including the MT-01, Super Duke 990, R6, Monster and lots lots more
By Simon Hargreaves09/01/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 206
On this episode: our fave bikes of 2024 (and a few of 2025), more KTM woes, the last new bike news of 2024 and a whole heap of nattering on topics raised by you…
By Simon Hargreaves02/01/2025 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 205
On this episode: MCL - was it any good? KTM - More financial woes! Does the Government really hate biking that much? and much more
By Simon Hargreaves09/12/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha MT-09 (2024) - Review | Including Y-AMT gearbox
New style and technology as Yamaha MT-09 enters its second decade
By Simon Hargreaves19/11/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 200
On this episode: we take a deeeep dive into Honda’s new three-cylinder electrically supercharged concept engine
By Simon Hargreaves15/11/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 199
On this episode: Honda’s revamped X-ADV and new Hornets, Triumph Tiger Sport and KTM’s 1390 Super Adventure S Evo, and much much more
By Simon Hargreaves04/11/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 198
On this episode of Britains greatest motorcyling podcast: The R9 is finally here, Honda's NT100 gets some toys, Kawasaki's bigger Ninja gets less power and the Trident get louder...
By Simon Hargreaves14/10/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 197
On this episode: This year’s Multistrada, the new Versys 1100, Kawasaki’s hybrid recalls, the new Speed Twin 1200 and KTM’s Woes, plus much more…
By Simon Hargreaves30/09/2024 - Bike Features
How Fast Is A Triumph Rocket 3?
BikeSocial’s Rocket Launch takes over RAF Elvington’s runway to find out
By Simon Hargreaves26/09/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 196
Britain's Best Biking Podcast
By Simon Hargreaves09/09/2024 - BMW
BMW F 900 GS Adventure (2024) - Review
More power and updated suspension for BMW's middleweight Adventure bike
By Simon Hargreaves03/09/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 195
Britain's Best Biking Podcast
By Simon Hargreaves05/08/2024 - Buying & Selling Bikes
What Bike Next? Episode 14
Lisa wants a new 125 but need a low seat height
By Simon Hargreaves05/08/2024 - Buying & Selling Bikes
What Bike Next? Episode 13
BikeSocial Member Jack wants a reliable all-rounder for weekends and commuting
By Simon Hargreaves30/07/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 194
Britain's Best Biking Podcast
By Simon Hargreaves29/07/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha MT-09 SP (2024) – Review
2024 SP gets familiar suspension and braking upgrades
By Simon Hargreaves16/07/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 193
On this episode:
By Simon Hargreaves11/07/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha XSR900 GP (2024) - Review
Yamaha XSR900 GP brings retro sportsbike style and riding position to its brilliant CP3 platform
By Simon Hargreaves05/07/2024 - Features
Front End Chatter - episode 192
On this episode: FECSpagnas tour of France and Spain on tall-rounders, Suzuki Live, the ABR Festival and much more
By Simon Hargreaves03/07/2024 - Buying & Selling Bikes
What Bike Next? Episode 12
BikeSocial Member John wants a big-power bike for £18,000
By Simon Hargreaves28/06/2024