Cyclebytel Launches Site Upgrades

12 April 2000

Cyclebytel Launches Site Upgrades; Marketing Campaign; and Expands Staffing

    PHOENIX--April 12, 2000--Cyclebytel, http://www.cyclebytel.com, the premier online market place for anything motorcycle related, is pleased to announce significant site upgrades, and the introduction of a new and more customer friendly purchasing process.
    In addition, the company will be increasing its staff and launching a new marketing campaign.
    Currently serving 9k unique users daily and facilitating more than $6 million in motorcycle sales monthly, Cyclebytel has recently completed beta testing of a new site design and processing system to more efficiently handle activity.
    "Using specially designed dealer Intranets, we were able to increase online interaction between dealers and consumers and encourage a more hassle-free and time-efficient purchase," said Jeffrey Seese, senior Cyclebytel web developer. In addition, the navigational structure of the Cyclebytel site has been modified to allow for faster access to needed information and tools.
    Cyclebytel was founded two years ago to address the needs of the online motorcycling community.
    "Before we came along, there were very few options available in regards to motorcycle shopping online. We created a loyal following by offering research assistance, financing, insurance, classifieds -- basically a one-stop shop for anybody looking to buy a motorcycle via the Internet," said Jason Roggensee, the company's 24-year-old president and founder. "Recent studies have shown that more than 40 percent of the people who bought motorcycles last year did some amount of research online.
    "We are encouraged by the growth this segment has experienced and feel as though we have pioneered our own niche in the Internet marketplace."
    "When we started Cyclebytel, our goal was to develop a motorcycles site that rivaled the quality of service experienced by the major automotive web portal, and I believe we have succeeded," stated Roggensee.
    Coinciding with its new technology, Cyclebytel will be launching a series of site upgrades including a new watersports line, the addition of motorcycle apparel, and an in-house financing department to further facilitate the purchase process. The company has retained a public relations firm that will implement an online consumer awareness campaign.
    In addition, it has expanded its internal staff, and has recently finalized promotional relationships with http://www.buysellbid.com as well as http://www.carprice.com.

    Background

    Based in Phoenix, Cyclebytel, www.cyclebytel.com is a privately held corporation, founded in 1998. As one of the first online motorcycle buying services, it has become one of the largest Web sites in this category, facilitating more than $6 million in product sales each month. The company has a nationwide dealer network of more than 4,000 dealers and currently receives some 300,000 visitors per month.
    The Cyclebytel.Com site proudly offers most popular motorcycles -- everything from Harley Davidson cruisers to Ducati Italian sportbikes. In the near future, additional product lines will be added including KTM, Titan, and Polaris.