By Sara Westhead <$f$>

With its posh and sophisticated premises, Cycle Care’s new showroom and cycle parts and supply store at the roundabout at the top of Dundonald Street is revitalising its own business and that of the area.

Formerly the home of World Distributors, owner Paul DeCouto and his family, brother Steven, sister Sharon, and dad, Ernest, are working at setting a new standard for the motorcycle business. The family opened the business more than 15 years ago, where it operated from its former location on Woodlands Avenue.

Paul had looked at the location several years ago, and even paid a deposit on it, but things, at the time, didn’t work out. That is until they looked back into purchasing the property a little more than a year ago.

The high-visibility of the new location has cut their need for advertising in half.

“Business has picked up a lot,” Mr. DeCouto explained. “We have a whole new clientele.” The design for the new showroom was orchestrated by Peter Terceira of Q-Tech, and the contract work was coordinated by Paul Rodriguez of IGC. The finished product is a sleek grey space that showcases the bikes on custom-designed platforms and phenomenal lighting.

The current highlight of the showroom is the Sym HD 125. Sym, a Taiwanese company, formerly Sanyang, is a sister-company to Honda, and the HD 125 is reminiscent of the Honda Scoopy. The scooter features big wheels and rear disc brakes, as well as an external gas tank and a side kick-stand. The bike retails for $4,500.

Another popular bikes in the Cycle Care showroom is the Daelim NS 125 DLX, which costs $3199. It features a 4-cycle, 4-valve, single cylinder engine and a combination air and oil cooling system with a vacuum carburetor.

Other bikes available include the Daelim S-Five 50, which costs $2499, and the JianShe JS50, which is perfect for students.

It is virtually identical to the Yamaha V50, complete with a 3-speed rotational gear for $2149.

They also hope to soon add the Sym Mio 50cc and 100cc, the Sym VS 150cc and Sym Fighter 150cc to the list of available bikes in the near future.

In addition to the wide selection of road-worthy vehicles of all engine sizes and styles. Cycle Care also import a fair selection of motor cross bikes, including the toy-size Polini Mini Bike, a 40cc street-sport bike that is small enough for a child, yet powerful enough to carry an adult up to speeds of 50km. The bike sells for $2149.

Bikes accessories are also a key aspect to sales.

“We are the number one seller for helmets and accessories,” Mr. DeCouto shared. The carry a wide-range of bike accessories, including floor lights, bike boxes, designer hand grips and stickers, including the availability of custom-designed stickers. They also carry top-quality Nolan helmets, which are worn by the island’s police service.

Service is also a very important part of the business. “We’re concentrating on the bikes we sell. We offer same-day service on general servicing for our customers,” Mr. DeCouto said, however, they will still do work on other bikes as well. To maintain quality service, Cycle Care maintains a full stock of all the parts needed for the bikes they sell.

Cycle Care is located at 49 Serpentine Road, next to Bull’s Head Car Wash. For more information, contact Cycle Care at 295-0003 or visit their website at www.cyclecare.bm.

Cycle Care opens new showroom