SIMI SHOP SELLS FUN; FAMILY CYCLE CENTER OFFERS PRODUCTS THAT RUN GAMUT `FROM MILD TO WILD'.

Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Forrest Hall, who co-owns Family Cycle Center, always enjoyed riding motorcycles and motorbikes and hopes to bring motorbike sports popularized in other parts of the country and Europe to Simi Valley.

Hall has tried all kinds of extreme heart-stopping sports such as hang gliding and rappelling, but said nothing is more fun than the riding through the desert on a motorbike, quad racer or go-cart.

``It's great to go out with friends, head across the desert and find some place you've never been to before,'' Hall said. ``There's a great sense of freedom that goes with it.''

When it comes to motorbikes, Hall said he offers everything from mild to wild.

He has mini-bikes, which he said are good for the beginner. He has go- carts which look like smaller versions of the low-to-the-ground cars often seen at car races. He also sells quads which he said are most popular with families.

``They're for racing or recreation,'' Hall said. ``Years ago families rode three-wheelers, but these now have four wheels and are a lot safer. There's a safety feature that plugs into the switch and if you fall it disengages the switch and shuts the motor off. There's also a throttle switch to control the speed if you only want junior to go (slow).''

Hall caters to endurance riders who participate in what's called trial riding - a sport mostly done in Europe and not yet well known in this area.

The bikes are lighter than standard off-road bikes and are used to ride over boulders or fallen logs, span distances quickly, or even climb a rock face.

``The sport is basically an obstacle course on wheels,'' Hall said. ``It's the hardest thing you can do on two wheels, and these people bloody well defy gravity. It's all about balance and more of a competition with yourself.''

But much of what Hall offers is all about fun.

He sells peds, which look like skateboards with handle bars, and pocket bikes - tiny motorcycles that feel more like toys. They are about 2 feet tall, 3 feet long and weigh about 37 pounds. Even though they're small, Hall said they're popular with adults.

``They're not much bigger than a tricycle,'' Hall said. ``You just play on them and it's like you've instantly become a child again, on your Big Wheel.''

Aside from the recreation and racing vehicles, Hall also sells ramps and gear such as helmets and boots. He offers repairs, takes in trades, sells bikes on consignment and even sells used and vintage bikes - those made before 1974.

In the future, he hopes to start sponsoring motocross racing events in the Simi Valley area.

``Some of the best motocross racers have come from right around Simi Valley,'' Hall said. ``I figure what we have here is a breeding ground for world champions.''

Family Cycle Center is at 995 E. Los Angeles Ave. in Simi Valley. Call [phone].

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Photo: (1 -- 2) Family Cycle Center owner Forrest Hall says quads (bottom) are most popular with families while pocket bikes (top), which are about 2 feet tall and 3 feet long, are popular with adults. ``You just play on them and it's like you've instantly become a child again, on your Big Wheel,'' Hall said.