Calgary Harley-davidson
PASSIONATE STAFF CREDITED FOR SHOP’S SUCCESS
There is one brand name that has become synonymous with motorcycles.
So, it should probably come as no surprise that Calgary Harley-davidson won Gold in the Favourite Motorcycle Shop category in the 2023-24 Readers’ Choice Awards.
But Calgary Harleydavidson president Gary Sartorio says his group doesn’t rest on its worldfamous name.
“One of the biggest things is that every single person here is an enthusiast of motorcycles and Harley-davidsons,” Sartorio says. “When you talk to someone about a bike, we’re as enthusiastic about it as you are.
“I think that’s different than in the dealership world where if you’re buying a car, it’s just another car.
“When it’s six o’clock and we close the door, most of us don’t go home. We usually end up going riding with customers or other staff members. We choose to be in this industry, whereas in some others, you just kind of fall into it.”
The showroom at
2475 Pegasus Road N.E. is a beehive of activity with new and preowned Harley-davidson motorcycles, service bays with factorytrained technicians and a boutique selling all kinds of branded merchandise.
With Canada’s largest pre-owned inventory, Calgary Harley-davidson sees over 600 bikes head out the door every year.
And some of those will be the all new special
CVO (custom vehicle operations), which are manufactured in limited numbers and equipped with show-stopping finishes.
And, of course, customers are able to customize their new rides with anything they can imagine.
“We have built multiple bikes that have been featured on the front of magazines,” Sartorio says. “There have been some $100,000-plus builds that are just wild to see.”
Most Harley-davidson enthusiasts are known for their outgoing personalities and a penchant for having a good time.
With that in mind, Calgary Harley-davidson created The Rally in the Rockies, which just wrapped up its fourth annual festival, first created when people were looking for safe, entertaining, outdoor activities during the pandemic.
“We throw a huge party,” Sartorio says. “It’s five days of live music, motorcycles, partying and all of that fun stuff.”
Check out the city’s favourite motorcycle shop at calgaryharleydavidson.ca.