2009 Ridley Auto-Glide Standard: Voted Fail

[totalmotorcycle]

2009 Ridley Auto-Glide Standard on the Total Motorcycle Cool Wall

More photos and information: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... andard.htm








2009 Ridley Auto-Glide Standard

The 2009 Auto-Glide Standard is everything you want in a Ridley; fit and function at a great price. As Ridley's entry level Auto-Glide model, the Standard offers the low 24.5" seat height, light 460 pound weight, and fully automatic transmission for less then $14,000! If you're in the market for a quality made affordable automatic motorcycle this is the Ridley model for you!


Features & Benefits

FEATURES
- Ridley 750 V-Twin - Type I Automatic Transmission
- 5 Gallon Fuel Tank - Slim Rubber Hand Grips
- Right Side Final Drive - Front & Rear Turn Signals
- Cruiser Handlebars - Tombstone Taillight
- Chrome Headlight - Mechanical Type Speedometer

BENEFITS
- Twist & Go Centrifugal Clutch - Low Center of Gravity
- Low 24.5" Seat Height - Incredible Attention to Detail

MODEL PRICING
Base Model MSRP : $13,900
Delivery : $650
MSRP : $14,550

OPTIONS

Drive : Belt Final Drive +$500
Drive : Type II CVT Upgrade +$675

Ergo : Pullback Handlebars +$100
Ergo : Ape Hanger Handlebars +$80
Ergo : Beach Bar Handlebars +$20

Seat : Touring (Black or Gray) +$140
Seat : Studded Touring (Black) +$180
Seat : Two Up (Black or Gray) +$75
Seat : Passenger Pinion (Black) +$161





2009 Ridley Auto-Glide Standard - USA Specifications
Base Model MSRP : $13,900 + Delivery : $650 = MSRP : $14,550

ENGINE
Manufacturer : Ridley®
Configuration : 90° V-Twin
Displacement : 750
Cooling System : Air
Compression Ratio : 8.5 : 1

DRIVE SYSTEM
Transmission Type : Automatic CVT
Clutch Type : Centrifugal
Engagement RPM : 1100 RPM
RPM @ 85 MPH : 3600 RPM
Primary Drive : Belt
Final Drive : Belt

SIZES & WEIGHT
Dry Weight : 460 lbs. / 209 kg
Wheelbase : 66" / 167.6 cm
Overall Length : 97" / 246.4 cm
Seat Height : 24.5" / 62.2 cm

BRAKES
Brake Type : Hydraulic (DOT 5)
Front Brake : Four Piston
Rear Brake : Four Piston

More photos and information: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... andard.htm

Remember that you can suggest a model to appear on the Cool Wall each week right here: viewtopic.php?f=61&t=40774

[totalmotorcycle]

I went with the 2009 Ridley Auto-Glide Standard because Ridley (now in transition for a few years) were brave enough to make automatic transmission motorcycles, which few companies have taken on and auto transmission bikes never really were that popular. Ridley ran into some issues in 2008 with Harley-Davidson on their use of the team "Auto Glide" as a model name. Also Ridley was fighting with a big company growth and found it impossible to overcome its debts in the credit crash in 2009. On February 16, 2010, Ridley was aquired by 2 Wheel Ventures, LLC and today 2 Wheel Ventures, LLC is just selling parts for the Ridley and has not brought motorcycles to the market.

So, what to you think? Would Ridley's idea of the automatic motorcycle still work today or was it a matter of time before they would have closed?
Mike

[Wrider]

15K for a 750 twin cruiser? Not so much.

[ceemes]

Butt ugly + automatic transmission + goofy chopper front end = FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jstark47]

It was a niche of a niche market. Before the recession, with easy credit, that niche was barely big enough that a single-line company like Ridley could survive on it. Now? Nope.

By the way, Ridley isn't "in transition for a few years"....... unless you're thinking of transitioning from merely dead to a footnote to history! Ridley is "off the twig, kicked the bucket, shuffled off the mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleeding choir invisibile!!" 2 Wheel Ventures is owned by Jay Ridley, who conveniently happens to be the son of Clay Ridley (late of Ridley Motorcycle Co). Dad's company goes bankrupt, assets are acquired for cheap by son's company, creditors lose out. Whatta racket.

Oh, and I never cared much for the bikes. Positively ugly from the left side. Uncool.

[HYPERR]

Mfugly...fail

[JackoftheGreen]

If the Toyota Camry was a motorcycle, this is what it would look like.
Gotta agree with the rest, this thing is just ugly. Maybe in a different color, but you'd still have to do something about the engine...
And a cruiser with a slushbox? Nawwww...
I'm going with Fail.

[HYPERR]

If the Toyota Camry was a motorcycle, this is what it would look like.

I think you are being very unfair to the Camry.

Camry isn't ugly, it's just very bland and conservative, which is exactly what the majority of American buyers want. Conservative and bland is what sells in America; that is why cars like the Accord, Camry, and Taurus sells so well here.

[JackoftheGreen]

My point entirely. I didn't mean to call the Camry ugly -- just that it's an autopliance.

[High_Side]

Although the engine manufacturer says "Ridley" I seem to recall something about the early ones being based upon a Briggs and Stratton design..... seriously. I should really go and verify this but it's the internet after all....