TRUCKS & TOYS
BOOMING SALES AT SUN SPORTS CYCLE & WATERCRAFT FORT MYERS BUSINESS EMBRACES GROWTH OF SIDE-BY-SIDE COMMUNITY Written by: Dave Kelly The side-by-side market has an interesting history. Originally called utility task vehicles, or UTVs, they have been around for years, largely in agricultural business use.
After moving to the Sunshine State in the 1970s to race motocross, Johnstone opened Motorcycle Salvage in Fort Myers in 1977. He soon grew the business into one of the largest stores in the area for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats and parts. In the 1990s, Johnstone changed the name to Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. and acquired the local Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha dealership, expanding and remodeling his showroom in the process. In 2007, Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft built its current modern air-conditioned facility on Colonial Boulevard, rounding out its brand mix with
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Can-Am, Kawasaki, Polaris, Sea-Doo and more. An increasing percentage of Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft’s sales in recent years has been in the side-by-side market. This concept has an interesting history—originally called utility task vehicles, or UTVs, they have been around for years, largely in agricultural business use. The Kawasaki Mule was introduced in 1988, with most of these hardworking vehicles finding a home in the rural farming industry. In 2004, Yamaha introduced the Rhino, adding recreation and fun to the mix, and the popularity of this new type of UTV soared. Finally, in 2007, Polaris took full advantage of this trend and introduced its wildly popular RZR brand, focusing solely on off-road family fun. The original RZR with two seats soon evolved into more family-oriented models with four seats
PHOTO BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ
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he popularity of side-by-side vehicles is growing like crazy—and Iain Johnstone saw it coming. He owns Fort Myers, Florida-based Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. and is experiencing that growth first hand.
