The G.I. Joe Cycle Armor was released in 2011 as part of the third wave of G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra vehicles, Alpha assortment. While this figure and vehicle set saw a limited release for much of the year, the assortment that contained it (along with the H.I.S.S. Attack Scout Alpha vechicle & figure) were distributed in quantity to various Canadian retail centers in international/multi-lingual packaging. The earliest assortments, which were released in Asia and the Philippines, had English-only packaging and are difficult to locate. None of the components used to create the Cycle Armor were used previously by Hasbro in any of their toy lines. Ashiko, the driver figure included with this mobile armor suit, is an Arashikage Clan ninja that is a repainted and slightly retooled version of the 25th Anniversary Snake Eyes (v.3) figure that has divot holes in his arms and legs which allow for the various pieces of cycle armor to be temporarily attached.