UPWARD CYCLE MOTORBIKE GEAR SALES CRUISING.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - As a kid, Helbert Aguinaldo dreamed of the motorcycle lifestyle. Today, he lives it every day at work.

When he shows up, the smell of rubber tires permeates the air. Bulky bodysuits line the walls, and rows of steel-toed racing boots gleam in the showroom as an announcer spits out rapid-fire commentary of races gone by from monitors hanging above.

As operations manager of the recently opened Cycle Gear on Vanowen Street, he's part of a 300-employee work force that owns the motorbike supply outlet. Launched in 1974 in Northern California, the parts and accessories store has spread to include 24 stores in six states. Aguinaldo's shop, along with stores in Newhall and Oxnard, is part of Cycle Gear's quick push into Southern California.

``For the motorcycle industry, sales keep increasing,'' he said. ``As it's growing, we're trying to grow along with it.''

The Motorcycle Industry Council says the motorcycle business has been on the rise for the greater part of the past decade, with retail sales of $11.8 billion in the last recorded year. Accessories and apparel like Cycle Gear's account for a hefty 28.7 percent of that total, nearly $3.4 billion. Research indicates the growth should continue unabated.

``The industry has continued to grow, even with the economy and 9/11,'' said Lee Love, publisher of Motorcycle NewsWire. ``We didn't see a dip at all. People who ride motorcycles are very passionate, so it's recreation more than transportation.''

Men in their late 30s make up a large slice of these enthusiasts, with a median income of $44,250, according to the Irvine-based MIC.

``The whole industry is moving along very well,'' said Mike Mount, MIC's senior manager of communications. ``People start buying more, so that gets more people thinking of them, which in turn causes more sales. There's more models on the road now than ever before, with something for everybody.''

As the increasingly stable base of riders gets its motors running, they bring with them more disposable income and more free time than past demographics, pushing sport bike sales to rise 20 percent in the last recorded year. To handle this trend, Cycle Gear pushed four stores into the Southern California market since April. A fourth location is set to open soon in Pasadena.

``We're trying to tie all the stores together, so we can cover the whole area within a 30-minute trip,'' Aguinaldo said. ``It's better for our existing customers, and we've been getting a lot of new ones.''

Neil Reynolds, a Woodland Hills architect, stopped in looking for some boots to wear when riding his Moto Guzzi LeMans, but ended up walking out with two armfuls of oil and accessories.

``The more competition there is, the better it is for all of us,'' he said. ``It keeps prices down. Besides, I'd rather support a local store like this than some catalog.''

Support like that keeps Aguinaldo and his fellow employee owners afloat. Though his parents scratched their heads when he brought home his first cycle, it's proving to be a wise decision in the long run.

``One day, I just bought one and said: 'Mom, Dad, here it is,''' he recalled. ``They were stunned, but I just had to do it. Now, I'm trying to make it into a career.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Helbert Aguinaldo, operations manager for the new Cycle Gear in Canoga Park, says he is seeing a dream fulfilled.

(2) Cycle Gear, which recently opened in Canoga Park, sells accessories for motorcycle fans. (3) Accessories and apparel like Cycle Gear's account for a hefty 28.7 percent of $11.8 billion in motorcycle industry sales.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer