Living The Dream

Introducing Pitster Pro

2012-01-04T12:41:00.001-07:00

It's a new year and Team Cycle Works is thrilled to introduce a new product into our lineup: Pitster Pro. These new machines are just the thing for the youngest riders on our team.

Pitster Pro focuses on providing the most competitive and affordable mini ATV’s and race ready pit bikes on the market. Our sales team saw this as a great opportunity for our young riders who aren't quite ready for the larger machines that our current suppliers offer. Cycle Works beleives that the whole family should be able to enjoy the riding experience together and Pitster Pro provides the machines to make that happen.

Check out their mini UTV. A totally affordable way for the kids to join the trail ride or to just rip around at the cabin.

Stop by Cycle Works Edmonton or call our sales department to get more information on Pitster Pro products.

Pro RMK Adventures: Vol 7

2011-11-28T10:30:00.001-07:00

Once it snows Jordan wastes no time in getting out there on his 2012 Pro RMK. This time he hit up Chappel Creek in Valemount. Check out the slide show here

Here's what Jordan had to to say about the riding on Nov 20.
" Hello everyone, well the adventure continues. Day 2 was a little cloudy. We went to another local Valemount area, Chappel Creek. This area gets big snow and beside the long ride in is an awesome playground. I put on another 100 KM in big snow and my 2012 Pro RMK worked perfectly. Enjoy the adventure and take care!"

Pro RMK Adventures - Vol 6

2011-11-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

Jordan Dechka is back again with his winter adventures on his 2012 Polaris Pro RMK.

Hello Cycle Works, it's winter again and it is shaping up to be one of the best ever. I started this year by breaking in the 2012 Pro RMK at a regular sledding area in Valemount B.C. Allen Creek is a short ride in and has many hidden stashes. We made our way to the back end and found some great riding along the way. The new Polaris RMK performed perfectly and made a great bluebird day even better. Enjoy the slideshow and take care. Click here to check out the slideshow.

105ers - Vol 5: Getting Involved

2011-11-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

Another installment of our 105ers series from CW Calgary's Allison.:
A big part of my riding this year included getting involved with a few of the local clubs. I have worked with the Rocky Mountain Dirt Riders for a few years now at the store, but only started taking advantage of some of the awesome benefits of being a member of the club this year. We hold weekly guided rides all through summer, and they even have a special ladies one! They where a huge confidence builder, and allowed me to learn some new trails at Mclean!

Part way through the year I also got involved with the Second Gear Club. They are very beginner friendly, and I was able to attend some very informative seminars on jetting, suspension set up and basic maintenance. Being able to properly look after your own bike is a huge challenge for beginners and this club was so helpful in teaching me the skills that I need. I met lots of new riding friends, absorbed a ton of information, and got lots of different perspective on riding! I would highly suggest getting involved in a club to any new rider!
http://rockymountaindirtriders.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SecondGearClub

105ers - Vol. 4: BUMP in September

2011-10-25T11:59:00.000-06:00

Alicia has some more to share about a local track and passing on the KTM tradition

My nephew has become a KTM rider with his own little 65SX, so I figured we could have some bonding time out at the BUMP.

This track is only 5k from where I grew up so it's a family favorite. My nephew Colton and I got both bikes running and headed out. At the track we met up with a friend of mine who has recently purchased a 105 as well. Seems to be a popular bike this year for awesome riders! The three of us hit up some trails, then moved on to the ladies track. Colton was not so impressed with this "ladies" track part. We rode around for 2 hrs and then noticed that there was no one on the big track so we headed over and did a few loops with Colton. A very proud moment and now I know he bleeds orange just like his auntie.

105ers - Vol 2: First Year on a KTM....Part 1

2011-10-06T14:17:00.001-06:00

Today Allison shares some of the knowledge she gained while learning to ride her KTM 105 SX this year.

What I learned in my SECOND year of riding....

In the spring, I was lucky enough to get a KTM 105 SX to ride for the year. This was a big step up from last year's four stroke Kawi 140. I finally had a REAL bike and a steep learning curve to look forward to. So I read the manual, made sure all my gear was good to go, and off I went! My coworkers, customers and friends were great teachers, and I'd like to pass along some of their great wisdom:

#1- You're not just learning to ride a bike
There is so much more than just hopping on and taking off. There's loading, unloading, oil changes, air filters, all sorts of important things to keep your bike (and you) in great riding shape. There is a right way and a wrong way to do these things and you can seriously mess up your beautiful new machine if you get it wrong.

That being said, it's a great feeling to show up at a ride, have someone offer to unload your bike, and say "no thanks, I've got this"!

I've learned to change out some parts, and take care of all of my own basic maintenance, and this is probably the thing that I'm most proud of. It took HOURS of practice, but there is something to be said for figuring it out on your own... well, not entirely on your own (I'm convinced we have the best service department in the city.)

My riding friends and I would each learn a new skill and then teach each other (in an easier to understand "girl language"). From fouled spark plugs on the trail, flat tires mid ride, bikes stuck in the woods and all the way to some impromptu first aid I was amazed at what us girls could tackle (without any male help!!) by the end of the year!

Allison conquers a mud pit

105ers - Vol. 3: Crowsnest Pass

2011-10-04T13:36:00.001-06:00

We continue on with tales of riding adventure from our favorite riders Alicia and Allison. In this post Alicia will tell us some more of her Crowsnest Pass Adventures on her 2009 KTM 105 SX.

First BIG ride in the Crowsnest Pass. I spent the day with a FE450 and a 200EXC. These boys can ride and ride hard. Started off the day with a horseback ride and then went from reins to handlebars in a matter of hours.

Alicia is ready to ride!

We got to the base of the trails and geared up. Spent a few minutes tuning the bikes and getting ready for the day ahead. Started of by putting in a good 20k burning around on some trails, with some majorly steep, rocky hills. I smashed my knee and realized that I am the only Accessory Manager with no knee guards.

Next, I got to ride right up to the 7 Sisters Mountain Actually, I didn't quite make the last hill on the 105, but got doubled up on the 450Berg to take a quick look at the amazing view. At this point the bike was running pretty crappy due to the elevation. I would also like to note that by this time I had mentioned twice that I was concerned about my gas level and that I wouldn't make it back to the truck. The boys insisted that I was doing fine and the bike was "going to make it".

We found a few trails that lead to some big shale covered hills so we played around, and finally decided that we should head back. There was still another 40k until we were back at the truck. We got on to some easy riding and the boys took off ahead of me. I came down a steep hill and hit a giant puddle below...didn't even make it 1/2 way through when the bike choked and died. Huh....nice no gas! Eventually the boys realized I was no longer behind them, and came back to investigate. We still had another 20km until we got back to the truck, and I found myself on the back of the Berg again. We got to the truck, loaded up the Berg and KTM, then headed to find the logging road we were close to when the 105 ran out of gas.

Lesson Learned - I can only go 55k until I have no fuel. And I must get a bigger bike, with more power!!!

105ers - Vol. 1: Intro to Crowsnest Pass

2011-10-04T13:34:00.000-06:00

There was some amazing riding done this summer by Cycle Works staff. We're going to be telling you some of the stories from two of our favorite riders: Alicia from Cycle Works Edmonton and Allison from Cycle Works Calgary. These ladies want to share their stories with everyone out there and they hope that they can encourage more woman to become involved in the sport. Stop by and chat with Alicia and Allison if you're ever in one of the dealerships and they'll be able to share their passion for the sport with you.

Alicia rides a 2009 KTM 105 SX and she really took it to the max this summer. Here's her first story on riding in Crowsnest Pass in southern Alberta.

This was my first experience riding down in southern Alberta. As the boys were preparing for the race at Porky's, I unfortunately didn't get much riding in. Luckily one day we decided to head up Saski Mountain which is located directly behind a friend's place. I was fully warned by the boys that this hill gets steep very fast and if I got scared I could stash the bike and walk up the last incline.
This was the first time on my bike in a while so I was a little shaky. I found myself so focused on the hill, the huge rocks and the steep cliffs that I didn't even notice the spot where I was to put my bike if I was scared.
I quickly realized that I was now on the tough part of the hill and I friggin' gunned it. So now my front tire is off the ground and here I am, doing a wheelie all the way up the tough part. Yikes.

Once I got to the top the boys were so impressed that I made it up there...let along doing a wheelie! I left my helmet and goggles on, because I didn't want them to see the look on my face.... they don't ever need to know that I so did not mean to do that. To them I looked like a frickin' hero and I would like to keep it that way.

Lesson learned - Even if you didn't mean to, play it up as if you did :)

The 105 and one of the boy's Husaberg at the top of the hill.

All the way to Inuvik

2011-09-02T10:18:00.000-06:00

Recently two of our adventurous customers decided to take a road trip to Inuvik....on their Kawasaki KLR motorcycles. Not everyone's idea of a relaxing summer vacation, but Roy and Ruth had an amazing time and wanted to share their story.

The dreaded shale roads

2 KLR's to Inuvik and Back

July 11-Aug. 1, 2011
3 weeks
8,798.8 km
Camped all the way

We chose to take the KLR's because they are light and simple and easy to maintain. The bikes performed flawlessly. They took us faithfully through the gravel, ruts, slippery mud and deep mud.

The hardest part of "doing the Dempster" was the horror stories and Legends,our own fear and doubt. More than once we sadly decided not to go. Before we even left home we were told of the dreaded shale that cuts your tires and no cell phone coverage up there. On the road to Fort Nelson we met two guys on V-Stroms from Quebec who had turned around because it was too dangerous. They told us a motorcyclist had died on the Dempster and two others were medivac'd out. In Whitehorse we met a couple who warned us they had also heard of the fatality and four people were medivac'd out. The story was getting bigger the closer we got. Roy asked the RCMP they said there had been a fatality and did not advise travel on this road but also said it was not closed either so we could go if we wanted to, it was up to us to make that decision. We also asked a truck driver that had just come from Inuvik, he said we should be able to do it if we stayed in the truck tracks.

We finally decided to go up as far and the Tomestone Mountain Interpretive Centre and see how the road was. If it got bad we could just turn around and come back. It was good so we kept going. By the time the road got bad we were almost at Eagle Plains so we kept going (we wouldn't have enough gas to turn back anyway). From the Klondike Corner to Eagle Plains is 371 km, we didn't even have to use reserve.

That trusty red gas can may come in handy

We got stuck in Eagle Plains. The ferry was closed due to high water and when we got up in the morning there was a thick fog which made it too dangerous to ride. We stayed put for a day and the next day the fog had cleared and the ferry was running again. We took that as a sign and set out for Inuvik. We camped in Inuvik overnight. On the way back the sun was shining and the roads dried up fast. Graders were already repairing the worst parts. The roads were so much improved on the way back you could have done it on a street bike.... well almost. One thing that's nice about riding up north in the summer is you never have to worry about the time; you can ride as long as you want because it never gets dark.

I'm so glad we went. The road was not that bad. The scenery was amazing. The local people are very friendly. We met people from all over the world. The truck drivers are very caring. Lots of wildlife, We saw caribou, wolf, bears, ptarmigan and moose. Oh and a fox.

The wildlife appreciates the KLR

Never pass a gas station....

We finally did get to use the little red gas can in the pictures, but not on the Dempster. There was a sign that said next gas 150km. We had 200 km on our tanks so I figured it would be no problem, and said so. (Rule #1: Never pass a gas station.) I had misread the sign it also said Stewart but we were not going to Stewart. It was another hundred or so km to where we were going. My bike is stock but Roy had re-jetted his carburetor to get a bit more power so it does use a little more gas. He was not happy when he ran out at 455 km. I was on reserve too but didn't actually run out. We put gas in both bikes as we were stopped anyway and had the can out. That was enough to get us to the next gas station. Sure am glad we had that gas can.

I would definitely do a trip like this trip again. In fact we are already planning the next one.

Ruth and Roy

Kids with Cancer Ride 2011

2011-07-11T09:14:00.000-06:00

We had yet another amazing time with the Kids with Cancer organization and all of its people during the 4 day ride at the end of June. Here are some reflections from the event that we would like to share.

Val:

Well its back to the real world. On the drive back home I found myself chasing after motorcycles going way over the speed limit, thanks to new skills and confidence provided by Harry and a great BMW which sadly I have to return tomorrow. I have never had a speeding ticket in my life but this may quickly change. The ride still remains my favorite event of the year and I am thankful to each of you for making the 2011 LOOK and Stepper Revving up for Kids a great success. I have said this before but there is something so gratifying knowing that there is a great group of people rallying for our kids. These are difficult times for our families and you have no idea what your efforts mean (1,050,000 thanks.)

Thanks to our committee, support team, ride leaders, sweepers, Cycle Works, Terry Evans, Bob, Tegan, Sheila, and our new ride captain Dan McOuat who with his skills and quick wit made the event entertaining and of course safe (except for your tires Dan) We heard numerous times over the past 4 days what a well organized event this was and all the credit goes to you . You are an amazing and committed team. I also want to express gratitude to our founding members Eva, Harry, Burke and Dan Brazinha who in 2006 made a decision to provide a fundraising opportunity that 6 years later has resulted in $1,050,000 directed towards our kids. Truly a great, altruistic and inspirational accomplishment.

The Kinahan family spoke so eloquently about their journey and how people like you have enabled the Kids with Cancer Society to provide programs and services that helped them, and the many families affected by childhood cancer. They provided you with a glimpse into the world of childhood cancer which I hope encourages each of you to embrace life and reflect on what you wish for in your own lives.

Pro RMK Adventures - Vol 5

2011-06-09T11:04:00.000-06:00

Jordan Dechka sent us one last update from his sled season, which he spent enjoying the 2011 Polaris Pro RMK.

"Vince and Cycle Works thanks for all the help this season. The Pro RMK was the best sled I have ever ridden and was totally reliable. I cannot thank you enough for all the help and look forward to being part of your team again in 2012. Keep in touch and thanks again."

To view his last set of photos click here

Kids with Cancer Society - Parade of Heroes

2011-06-01T15:10:00.002-06:00

This year Cycle Works was blessed to be able to participate in the Parade of Heroes at Hawrelak Park.

The Parade of Heroes provides Look Homes, Stepper Homes, and Brazzo & Brennex Contracting with an invaluable opportunity to spend time with true heroes: the children involved with the Kids With Cancer Society. Since 2006, the Parade of Heroes has afforded children battling cancer with an annual opportunity to experience the thrill of riding on motorcycles in a safe and festive setting. Motorcyclists spend an afternoon parading each young passenger around Edmonton’s Hawrelak Park and visiting with the child’s family members in attendance. Since no Sunday afternoon is complete without a BBQ, it also provides a fantastic BBQ picnic to all those participating.

We loved our experience at this event on Sunday May 29 and when we heard how much some of the children loved it as well we wanted to share it with everyone. Our friend Val, the executive director of the Kids with Cancer Society passed along some of the stories for us to share with you.

"Naomi loved riding around the park, her favorite part was the water and waving to everyone, she said she felt like a princess.

Keira received a day pass from the hospital and at first was very nervous. She cautiously watched the other kids and could not decide if she wanted to ride. With some coaxing she eventually climbed into the side car with a very serious look on her face. Her mom waited anxiously for her return and was in tears when she saw her coming back with a huge grin.

Emily’s parents did not want to attend as she had just finished chemotherapy and was not feeling well. At her instance they did go and said that it was the happiest they had seen her since she was re-diagnosed.

Linda said that it felt like an old Sunday family picnic, snow cones, candy, entertainment and great welcoming people.

One of the families delayed their return home so that they could be in the city one more day to join the event

Awesome was what Bennett said, maybe that says it all!!

Perhaps one of the most memorable moments was Britni, in her pink Harley jacket and pink butterfly helmet going on ride after ride after ride. The entire family, not just Britni, got so much out of yesterday"

We just wanted to thank everyone for letting us be involved with this amazing event. We can't wait for next year!

Demo Days

2011-05-06T12:02:00.000-06:00

After what seems like the longest winter ever we finally have something to look forward to: Demo Days!

It's always been our corporate belief that you can't be expected to make an important purchase decision without getting as much information as possible; the most important info being how does the machine ride. That is why we offer two ways to demo a machine: factory sponsored demo days and personal demo rides

2010 Victory Demo Days

Factory demo days are a great place to test out the bike you have had your eye on. They also allow you to try out a few different models in the same day. These rides normally consist of a pack of riders lead by a member of the dealership staff on a set route for approximately 20-40 minutes. They allow you to get the general feel of the bike to see if you love it or hate it.

Cycle Works personal demo rides are a little more in depth. In order to take part in one of these demos a rider must contact the sales department to see if the bike he or she is interested in is available for a demo. If it is the salesperson will schedule a date for the ride and a time when the rider will come in and pick it up. The real advantage comes into play when the rider picks up the bike. There is no group, no set course and no 20 minute time limit. The rider can take the bike all day, drive their regular routes and do their own thing. We've even had one rider head to Jasper and back in one day just so he could see how the bike handles highway driving!

And it's not just motorcycles that we demo. We have an amazing ATV test area at our Acheson location and in the winter we have dedicated demo sleds for our customers to take out to the trails or up to the mountains. This year, all of our demo sleds were booked solid every weekend from December to May!

Don't settle for buying a machine if you can't truly get a feel for its performance and handling. Come to one of our demo days or book a personal demo at the dealership

Victory Demo Days
Cycle Works Acheson: May 10-11
Cycle Works Calgary: May 13-14
Cycle Works Edmonton: June 3-4

KTM MX Demo Days
Cycle Works Calgary hosts at Wild Rose MX Track: May 8
Cycle Works Edmonton hosts at Castrol Raceway: May 22

Kawasaki Demo Days:
Acheson and Edmonton dates TBA

What the Fox Creek?

2011-03-14T13:39:00.000-06:00

When the new Pro R suspension system came out on the 2011 Polaris sleds we began preaching about how it can turn an average rider into a great rider. Well, here's the proof.

In February, a team of sales and service staff from both Cycle Works South and Cycle Works West headed up to Fox Creek to partake in the 2011 ASA Snowmobile Jamboree. They were a mix of extremely skilled, average and new riders, with the newest rider being our very own King Of Bikes, Jay. Despite the vast differences in experience and skill level, this group of guys was able to have three days of amazing riding...and yes, even Jay could keep up with help from his 2011 Polaris sled.

Check of the video the guys shot on their Go Pro helmet cam and take a look at the picture slide show.
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Pro RMK Adventures - Vol 4

2011-02-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

Jordan is still ripping it up on the Pro RMK. Here are his latest adventures

From Matador Creek "Hey guys, well what can I say, this is an amazing winter

the snow is incredible and the new Pro RMK is an animal.  The sled has been

flawless this winter and I have put the beat down on the competition.

The snow was as deep as it gets last weekend and my Pro RMK never burbled.

It floats like now sled that I have ever driven. Enjoy the pics :
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/25064611919-1297873690-30768/

From a fun weekend on the mountain with the boys. "I took 2

young bucks out with me on the weekend!  Both the boys are on my

old sleds. We had three years of RMK`s on the mountain and every one of them
pulled hard.. The new sled is awesome but for someone just starting or on a

budget, the Dragon 07 and 08`s are still amazing sleds.

Enjoy the pics:http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/25064635140-1297898435-97172/.

Pro RMK Adventures - Vol. 3

2011-02-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Jordan headed out again to take advantage of this crazy snow.

First, he went to Manteau Creek. Here's what he had to say: "Hey guys, well the sled has been running awesome and the snow is just incredible. We pushed into some new terrain and found some amazing pow fields full of great mushroom drops! The Pro RMK and I could not stop and kept ripping until the fuel light came on!"
To view the slide show click here

Jordan also took some time to hang with some buddies and test the limits of the Pro RMK. He says " Well the sled seems to like the air! I spent the day with some buddies creating a terrain park in our yard. The sled jibs awesome which shows the great handling and precision of the new chassis. I really feel at one with the sled. Enjoy the pics!"
To view the slide show click here

Brit Bikes are Back!

2010-12-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

Brit Bikes are Back!

We are very excited to announce that in 2011 Cycle Works will be the official Northern Alberta dealer for Royal Enfield motorcycles.

The Bullet Electra EFI Model

In 2010 Edmonton-based Origin Motorcycles Ltd. secured the Canadian distribution rights for the modern day classics, which are now manufactured in India. At the 2010 Edmonton Motorcycle Show the bikes were a huge hit and we hope that enthusiasm carries on this year at the 2011 Motorcycle Show.

If you've never had the opportunity to check out these bikes, make sure to drop by the show and see them. They are completely unique and stylish, modeled after vintage motorcycles of the 1950's era. But these definitely aren't 1950's technology; they have been redesigned to have superior performance, reduced emissions and excellent fuel economy along with electronic fuel injection. As well the models are extremely customizable, allowing you to take an already beautiful bike and make it your own. For model information check out www.enfieldmotorcycles.ca.

The Bullet Classic EFI Model

The Motorcycle Show takes place on Jan 14-16 in Edmonton. You can pick up tickets in advance at any Cycle Works location. Be sure to stop by and check out the newest addition to our Cycle Works family!

Pro RMK Adventures - Vol. 2

2010-12-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Jordan got the sleds all fixed up and he took off again.
The first slide show here is from his trip to Oasis Creek in Valemount BC. Click here to check it out
Next Jordan headed out to Chappell Creek in Valemount. Click here to see the footage from that riding.
Jordan is happy to say that the sled is performing awesome. Can't wait to see where he ends up next!

Polaris Deep Snow Demo Rides

2010-12-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Just a quick little update.
The team at Cycle Works is heading the Revelstoke next week (Dec 15-19) to test ride the 2011 Polaris Deep Snow sleds on real mountain terrain.
You can still sign up to join them here.
Don't miss out on your chance to demo the lightest machines out there and find out what terrain domination is all about.

Pro RMK Adventures - Vol. 1

2010-11-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

This winter Cycle Works is proud to have a Snow Ambassador: Jordan Dechka. Jordan will be sharing all of his adventures on his 2011 Polaris Pro RMK with us this season on this blog. Here's your first message from Jordan and a slide show of his first trip out with the new sled.

"Hello Sledders and welcome to the 2011 winter! My name is Jordan Dechka, I will be updating this blog of all my adventures on the 2011 Pro RMK. I will be riding the Pro RMK across Western Canada and promoting the sled. If you see me in the hills say hello and you can have a ride on the new sled. I will be testing the sled in stock form and with modifications which I will update on the blog. Have a great winter. Enjoy the pics / video and if you want to unlock my secret riding areas you will have to cut a deal on a new RMK and tell them Jordan sent you."

View the Slide Show here

Jordan always says that all he does is sell race fuel and BS about sleds all day so if you ever have any questions for him please feel free to email generalmail@cycleworks.com with Pro RMK Adventures in the subject line and he would be happy to chat with you.

Riding the 2011 Pro RMK 155

2010-11-24T14:49:00.001-07:00

Last weekend one of our salesmen took the brand new Polaris Pro RMK 155 out to Allan Creek. Here's what he had to share about the riding area and the performance of this newly redesigned machine.

"Rode Allan Creek on Saturday, the trail was a skating rink up and the sleds were bumper to bumper sliding back down the switchback. We finally made it to the cabin just after lunch to find 3 feet of fresh snow on top of a decent base. There were a few bumps off the track and nicks off the skis, but for late November you can't beat it."

"I ride a 2011 Pro 155 and my first thought going up the trail was that there was no mid-range miss; the motor never missed a beat, not even a bobble. When we hit the hill climb and made the first poke the sled felt very similar to my 2010 and it was only at 7900 RPM. The electronic break in will take a bit of time, but it shouldn't be long to get to full RPM. You can definitely feel the weight difference for 2011, as the sled carves with no effort at all and for the first while you will likely over steer it. To give you an idea of how other sleds were making out on the hill conditions I'll tell you what I saw, with no bias intended. I watched a friend with a 163 Pro climb superbowl in one poke with 3 feet of untouched snow and loop back down, I then watched a Ski Doo 800 XP 162 modded make 3 pokes at the same line poaching tracks and never made it halfway in any of his attempts. They soon moved on"

"Day 2 we rode Milage. We broke trail most of the way but ran into a few guys who came in the back way and broke the rest of the trail. We came out of the tree line and there was not a track to be found, the guys that came up before us never made it far at all and we had the whole area to ourselves. "

"I now have a total of 120 miles on the sled and it still has yet to miss a beat. It is hitting about 8050 RPM and should continue to rise a little more. In my opinion, Polaris has made all the necessary changes to this sled, you will be hard pressed to find a sled that will handle as well as the new pro's and it will make an average rider look like a hero if you can hang on long enough." -Tate

Specs:
2011 Polaris Pro RMK
TB Racing Can
Clutch Kit
Gearing
3" Bar Riser
Boss Seat
Low Windshield

Can You Feel It?

2010-10-22T13:22:00.000-06:00

ASA

Well..I can feel it...it's that time..snow!! This will not be a welcome thought for many, but I'm actually getting a little excited. So are the thousands of sledders who will get their first taste of sled season this weekend at the 2010 ASA Ride Alberta Sled, ATV and Off-road show at Northlands in Edmonton.

The sled show is always entertaining. Check out all the amazing technological developments from the manufacturers, pick up some new gear and catch up with your buddies who you haven't seen since the last spring ride. I find that the people at the sled show are so friendly and easy to talk to....the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed and fun than some of the motorcycle events where people are trying to show off how cool they are... In my experience, sledders don't really care how cool they are and they don't care if their new jacket is the height of fashion...they just want to be warm on the mountain and have a great time!

So, you should go to the sled show this weekend. It's a great way to spend a day and meet some awesome people. Who knows, it just may help you accept that winter is just around the corner in Alberta.

The Power of Pink

2010-10-08T11:55:00.000-06:00

As a long-standing, multi-location powersports dealer, we have a pretty large profile in our city and province. It's nice to be able to use that to do some good.

Sunday Oct. 3 was the Run for the Cure in Edmonton and Cycle Works was proud to take part in it with our largest team ever...Only The Breast!

In the months leading up to the run we raised donations in the store through a donation jar and Saturday bake sales. The bake sales were actually quite a success and we were coming along nicely to hitting our team goal of $2,000. But, when Cycle Works President Jim decided to take part in the run, the donations really started to come pouring in. Not only does he have quite a few friends, but they were all very eager to donate in order to see him decked out in pink. It would help you to know that Jim normally sticks to a repertoire that consists of all black and chrome skull rings....everyone jumped at the chance to see him sporting some pink!
We are so proud to say that when the date of the run came around our team had raised over $5,000...and man, did we look good in all that pink gear. We have already started planning our team next year and have a goal of making it into the top ten fundraising teams in Edmonton.
Check out our furry pink princess Jim, and all the other pictures from the run here

Waterproof for Winter

2010-10-04T12:37:00.000-06:00

Looking for winter gear? Most everything you look at will boast being waterproof, but we thought we would give you just a little more information on some of the different types of waterproofing out there.

1. Waterproof Coated Fabrics
A large portion of the sled apparel out there that says it is waterproof will be constructed of waterproof coated fabrics. These fabrics will definitely do the job of keeping the snow/rain off of you, as they are constructed with a polyurethane coating that seals off all of the pores in the fabric. However, there is a major downside to this type of waterproofing, due to the pores all being sealed there is zero breathability. These fabrics will easily become wet on the inside due to built up condensation/sweat from your body, especially if you are an extremely active rider. If you are an infrequent rider then purchasing one of these lower-priced pieces of apparel should suit your minimum needs. If you are a frequent and active rider than it might be a good idea for you to invest in a piece constructed of one of the breathable waterproof fabrics out there.

2. Breathable Waterproof Fabrics
In terms of breathable waterproof fabrics we will stick with giving you some basic information on the market leaders, eVent and Gore-tex. Both of these products rely on the same basic technology: a membrane made of Polytetrafluoroethylene. This hydrophobic material is comprised of millions of microscopic holes that allow moisture vapor to pass through it. The difference in these two materials comes from the way the fabrics pores are protected from contamination. You see, the dirt and oil that accompanies all outdoor activity can clog up the microscopic vents in the fabric. Gore-tex relies on a polyurethane "oil-hating" coating. This can reduce the breathability but increases the durability of the membrane. eVent does not use a polyurethane coating. This fabric relies on their patented "direct venting" technology that does not seal the fabric pores.
Science mumbo-jumbo aside, here's what the difference is: eVent will vent at at any body temperature due to its unobstructed pores; this means you won't get clammy inside your gear. Gore-tex will begin venting once your body has heated itself up enough to cause a pressure difference to"push" the moisture out, so you may feel the interior condensation build up, but Gore-tex really outshines other fabrics when it comes to durability.
Both of these fabrics are of excellent quality and posses amazing technology so make sure you know what type of riding you do and what the most important features are to you before you make a purchase. But trust me, you get what you pay for when it comes to waterproofing and if you are a serious rider it pays to make the investment.

Team Orange and the Andes

2010-09-24T13:48:00.000-06:00

I love it when our OEM suppliers do things to show us just how passionate they still are about their product and its riders.

KTM announced its Team Line-up for the upcoming Montreal Supercross and it reflects just how much they appreciate those who bleed orange. They have some awesome riders, like current WORCS champion Mike Brown. Even better is how they have Michael Willard, who won KTM's first ever 50cc championship back in the day and is said to have more amateur race wins on a KTM than any other rider in history. Way to represent the orange bleeders! All in all this is shaping up to be an awesome season for KTM. Watch out for them at all of the races.

Polaris also took it above and beyond in respect to their 2011 Snowmobile lineup. Time and again Polaris customers have asked the company to build the production sleds exactly the same as the Demo tour sleds. This August Polaris air-freighted eight off-the-line production sleds of the 800 Rush Pro-R and 800 Pro-RMK to South America for final confirmation in real world conditions. And according to the team who went ripping up the August powder the sleds were winners!
Can't wait to see these sleds on the showroom floor and hear all about the adventures of their new riders.

Loud Noises!

2010-09-13T15:15:00.000-06:00

It's good to know Edmonton isn't the only place in the world that likes to pick on those who ride motorcycles.
In recent news (From the LA Times, Susan Carpenter http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/08/motorcycle-noise.html) California state senate passed a motorcycle noise law that will give the authorities a chance to cite noise pollution violations. It is heartening for us Edmontonians who have already been hit with a noise by-law that California is being even stricter...enforcing an 85 decibel limit as opposed to Edmonton's 92 decibels while idle or 96 decibels while engaged. We'll try not to be too smug over our small victory.
Now, it is not the noise regulation that we are opposed to. I'm sure everyone, myself included, would love to be able to enforce the law on that neighbour who decides mow his or her lawn or operate a chainsaw in the backyard at 6 on a Sunday morning. No, we all agree that noise regulation can help increase our quality of life. However, we are opposed to limiting this regulation to motorcycles. It would seem much more just to extend this regulation to all motor vehicles, instead of picking on the often misunderstood motorcycle community. Perhaps creating a fair and balanced noise regulation bylaw is something that all lawmakers should look into, in order to make life better for everyone...bikers included!

Speaking of misunderstood bikers, it is with pride that I announce that last month's Bikers for Life blood drive challenge not only met but surpassed our donation goal!. We would like to thank everyone who came out and donated in Cycle Works' name and helped us to get 70 donations for Canadian Blood Services. Remember that you can donate every 56 days, so keep on giving the gift of life everyone.

Bad Blood

2010-08-13T15:38:00.000-06:00

The truth is sometimes bikers get a bad rep. They don't do anything to deserve the scorn of society but occasionally it just happens. That's why I am always so glad when a biker does something wonderful for society as a whole.
That's what Bikers for Life is. Cycle Works West General Manager Mike LaRocque is a frequent blood donor and he wanted to push his fellow motor sports fans to become the same.
Did you know that blood donations drop drastically in the month of August. It makes sense...who wants to go get stuck with a needle when there are BBQ's and patios and camping to be enjoyed before Alberta winter sets in. But the hospitals still need as much blood as ever. That's why this month there has been a challenge issued to all bikers and motor sports enthusiasts to go out and donate blood. One donation from you can actually contribute to saving three lives! Pretty good for an hour of your time....and you get a free cookie! Cycle Works' goal is to get 60 donations registered under our name this month.
So shake off that bad rep and go save some lives this summer. All the information you need can be found here www.bloodservices.ca or call 1 888 2 DONATE.

Arctic Adventure

2010-07-23T16:09:00.000-06:00

When most of our customers come in here to gear up for a big trip they are normally preparing to make their way into BC or along the California coast. When our good friend, Gord Steinke, came in to tell us about his planned motorcycle trip to the Arctic we knew we had to get involved with this unique adventure

Now, we could not just let Gord go on his trip without asking him, " why the heck do you want to ride around the Arctic?" He responded by telling us that he had always wanted to ride the Dempster Highway....or maybe he was just having a mid-life crisis. The Dempster is of course the gorgeous stretch of Yukon road that is Canada's only all-weather highway to cross the Arctic Circle. We don't blame him for wanting to enjoy the amazing views on the open road. Gord was also able to arrange meeting Wop May's son, Denny, in order to gain some insight into the region and its stories, especially that quintessentially Canadian tale of the The Mad Trapper of the Rat River. With all of this once in a lifetime stuff its no wonder Gord has decided to take this trip...and write a book about it too!

The first step for us at Cycle Works was to find Gord an appropriate bike for his journey. We got him set up in a KTM 990 Adventure, which he affectionately calls "the Beast". This KTM will ensure that Gord can tackle any of the terrain that he will encounter on his tour of the land of permafrost. We then had to outfit Gord in the best gear. His main requests revolved around comfort, versatility in order to adapt to all kinds of weather and something that would keep all the notorious summertime Arctic bugs out of his face!

Gord is less than two weeks away from beginning his trip and we wish him the best of luck! Follow him on his journey (until he loses Internet connection!) on his blog: http://arcticmotorcycleadventure.blogspot.com/

Save Your Brain

2010-07-16T08:42:00.000-06:00

This time of year in the powersports industry most customers are looking for new helmets. The majority of people walk into a motorcycle or atv dealership and have no idea what size helmet they should wear. Not surprisingly, pretty much everyone would choose too large of a helmet if they were left to their own devices
Some dealerships have excellent staff who can help you make the proper choice, but if you're ever in a bind remember the tips and tricks we provide you with here

#1: Try it On

Yes, you can measure the circumference of your head and then match it to sizing charts the manufacturers provide. This will ensure that you don't mess up your hair that day but it won't ensure that the helmet fits
Helmets don't just vary by size, they also vary by shape and some head shapes and helmet shapes just don't mesh.
Always make sure you try on a helmet before you buy to ensure that it is snug (more on that later), sitting correctly and does not have any painful pressure points. Just because your measurement says you are a size medium does not mean it will be the proper fit for you.
Another important hint for trying on...if a helmet is difficult to put on that does not mean that it doesn't fit. Helmets are made to curve around your head so the most difficult part is always putting them on and taking them off. Don't despair if it seems like it won't go on; simply tug the chinstraps apart forcefully and put that helmet on! It may not be the most comfortable thing in the world, but trust us a helmet that goes on easily is normally too big for you

#2:Make it Snug
A snug helmet is a safe helmet. If a helmet is not fitting correctly and snugly onto your head than it will not be able to do it's job in absorbing and dispersing impact away from you brain. Many people are concerned when they first start trying on helmets because the helmets are "too tight" and "not comfortable". Well, the truth is that when you first purchase a helmet it should not be the most comfortable thing you have ever worn. The liner and padding inside helmets pack down about 1/2" to 1" as you wear it, so that comfy helmet today will a too big helmet in a couple of rides. So go as snug as you can handle and follow these instructions.

Pull out the chinstraps and put that helmet on. Can you feel the helmet everywhere on your head? Is it making contact (i.e no gaps) with your temple and forehead? Do you feel like your cheeks are being squished and may slightly resemble a chipmunk? If you answered yes to these you are on the right track. If you answered no, than go the next size down.
Next fasten the straps and grip the chin of the helmet. Look in the mirror and keep your head still as you try to turn the helmet side to side. If the helmet turns easily and there are gaps between your face and the helmet pads as you are turning then move onto the smaller size. If the helmet is moving your face with it as it turns then we might just have a winner.

A note of caution: there is such a thing as too small. A helmet should be extremely snug but there are warning signs to tell when a helmet is too small. If you put the helmet on and it pops up off your head it may be too small. If you are biting down a lot on the inside of your cheeks it may be too small.

#3:Keep it On
If you have tried a helmet on and it seems to be snug enough to be the right size then you only have one more thing to do: keep it on for a minute or two. Often times you have to allow the helmet to settle into place before it reveals any sneaky pressure points that may cause you pain in the future
Pressure points in your cheeks or jaw are okay, since these are the areas of the helmet that pack down the most. Be wary of pressure points on your forehead or the crown of your head as these can be signs that the shape of the helmet is not compatible with the shape of your head.
If your helmet meets all the conditions then enjoy the new lid!!