HB Cycle – A Dream That Became a Reality

HB Cycle began as the vision of three young people who were passionate about motorcycles and the motorcycle business. Their dream was to offer a friendly store where enthusiasts could meet and share their love for the sport.

Every great business starts with a dream, and for the founders of HB Cycle, that dream was built on determination, hard work, and a shared passion for motorcycles.

Phil Hodgson and Jeff Busche were two young men working at a local powersports dealership that focused more on touring bikes and lawn equipment than on the thrill of riding. For them, it wasn’t enough. Their hearts were in racing — the sound of engines, the adrenaline, and the community that came with it. They wanted to create something different: a true motorcycle shop built by riders, for riders.

Leaving the security of full-time jobs wasn’t easy, but they took the leap anyway. They found a small building, made plans, and poured everything they had into turning their vision into reality. But just as they were ready to open, their dream almost fell apart. Suzuki, the brand they had chosen to represent, got cold feet and questioned whether the new dealership had enough funding to survive.

By that point, there was no turning back. The lease was signed, business cards printed, and opening day already announced in the paper. The next morning, Phil and Jeff drove straight to Suzuki’s office and made their case face to face. What followed was a tense meeting that tested every bit of their resolve. They promised to make up for what they lacked in money with long hours, relentless effort, and the kind of customer service that would set them apart. In the end, Suzuki gave them a chance, and HB Cycle officially had its start.

The night before the grand opening, Phil and Jeff were still in the shop, assembling bikes by hand when help started to arrive. Friends, mechanics, and colleagues from the industry showed up unasked, rolling up their sleeves and working late into the night to help get the bikes ready. They donated their time, their tools, and their expertise — not for recognition, but because they believed in what Phil and Jeff were building. A late March snowstorm rolled in, dropping a foot of snow and threatening to ruin the big day, but the work continued through the night. Just when it seemed like luck had run out, a local farmer named Bill Gorrill arrived at sunrise with his tractor and cleared the lot. It was an act of kindness that perfectly captured what would define HB Cycle from that moment on: community and resilience.

When the doors opened that morning, the storm didn’t stop anyone. The lot filled, the shop buzzed, and their first sale went to local resident and family friend Cindy Walker — a fitting start for a dealership built on relationships and passion.

From that moment, the grind paid off. Word spread fast, and HB Cycle quickly became one of Ontario’s top Suzuki dealers in its first year. Other manufacturers soon followed, including Bombardier with Ski-Doo snowmobiles, then Yamaha and Kawasaki, expanding the lineup and turning a small-town dream into a year-round powersports destination.

What started as two guys chasing a dream has grown into a trusted name known for its dedication, hard work, and connection to the riding community. Decades later, HB Cycle still embodies the same spirit that fueled those early days: big-city selection, small-town service, and an unshakable love for the ride.

Family Support From Humble Beginnings

As HB Cycle began to take off, growth came fast. More space, more tools, more staff, and more credit were needed almost immediately. To keep the dream alive, family stepped in without hesitation.

Phil’s parents, Ralph and Betty, had just retired and were ready to enjoy life as snowbirds. But after seeing the long hours and sheer determination their son and his soon-to-be wife, Linda, poured into the business, they made an extraordinary choice. They pledged their entire life savings as collateral for the company’s bank loan — a gesture of faith and love that still humbles Phil and Linda today.

As the business expanded, local businessman and friend Mike Francis joined as a partner, while Jeff Busche moved on to new opportunities. By 1993, HB Cycle carried Suzuki, Ski-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki, and demand was quickly outpacing their space. Two years later, they purchased what would become HB Cycle’s permanent home, helped by a government small business program and a supportive bank manager who believed in their vision.

That move also marked a turning point for Linda, who left her own career to join the business full-time. She poured her energy into developing one of the strongest accessory departments in the province — setting a new standard for customer experience and product knowledge.

The following decade was all about hard work. The HB team spent years building the business, reinvesting every bit of progress into growth. Eventually, they began planning a larger, purpose-built facility that reflected who they had become. As Phil put it, “It needs to be high, bright, and white.” With the help of family, staff, and patient bank managers, plans turned into blueprints and blueprints into long nights of labor.

When construction began, the team didn’t stop working. They ran the store by day and built by night — tamping gravel, laying insulation, painting walls, and doing whatever it took to bring the new space to life. “Everyone helped,” Phil recalls. “We wanted something open and welcoming, and that meant putting in the work ourselves.”

By 2005, HB Cycle’s evolution continued with the addition of an RV department, reflecting a shift toward family recreation. Sport bikes and racing had given way to camping, ATVs, and snowmobiles — a broader focus that welcomed more people into the HB community.

A few years later, Sea-Doo rounded out the lineup. With lakes all around the Kawarthas, it was a natural step. HB Cycle was now everywhere their customers wanted to be — on the road, in the dirt, on the snow, in the water, and at the campground.