Ridley motorcycles

[Fire-medic]

I occasionally see people trying to sell their Ridley motorcycles for prices that appear to be entirely out-of-line w/market prices. They think their little bikes are worth H-D prices, and we all know how hyper-inflated those are!

They seem to have the cruiser style down-pat. The drivetrain is anemic at best, and I don't think they are legitimate highway cruisers for expressways except according to the law. I thought they were for mildly-handicapped people who were physically-unable to work a hand clutch & foot shift.

So, anyon have any info? I have not bothered web searching. :ummm:

 

[4gasem]

http://www.ridleymotorcycles.com/

Looks like they went under in 2009.

 

[Rollie]

I always thought of the Ridley as a beginners or a womans training bike because of the automatic and weak acceleration .

 

[Fire-medic]

I occasionally see people trying to sell their Ridley motorcycles for prices that appear to be entirely out-of-line w/market prices. They think their little bikes are worth H-D prices, and we all know how hyper-inflated those are!

They seem to have the cruiser style down-pat. The drivetrain is anemic at best, and I don't think they are legitimate highway cruisers for expressways except according to the law. I thought they were for mildly-handicapped people who were physically-unable to work a hand clutch & foot shift.

So, Does anyone have any info? I have not bothered web searching.
:ummm::ummm:

I am not giving up my VMax for one!

 

[RaWarrior]

They carry a far bit of value because they're an automatic motorcycle that actually looks like a real bike instead of a scooter. There's not many around, and if you want one, you have to look back to the 80's for the Hondamatics and Suzukimatics, but those weren't even truly automatic...just an auto clutch. So the limited market that'd be interested will pay a fair bit more than the size/performance would ordinarily dictate.

From the big-ass cover on the side, looks like they use a twin clutch CVT like a quad or snowmobile. They're convenient and give smooth, controllable power flow but aren't a very efficient way to put power down. Good for newbies I suppose.

 

[KJShover]

Looks like they went under in 2009.

Thats a shame, I liked the looks of them. A guy a few doors down had one his wife ride. It was painted up to look like his Harley.

 

[Heretic]

When I first saw one of these at a bike night, I thought it was a Chinese knock off, like a Hyosung or something. Not impressed.

 

[Fire-medic]

Except the Hyosung is Korean, right? But I know what you mean. When I first saw one, that was my 1st impression, giving people who cannot or will not learn how to ride with the degree of involvement of a traditional bike.

Now isn't Honda selling a double-clutch bike in 1200 cc? I guess that's a coming thing because it allows a larger # of people to ride & they're always about increasing the # of customers. The first systems in cars had about 400 milliseconds shifting and they have reduced that by a factor of 10 in the latest Ferrari I saw recently. Maybe an answer to fragile 2nd gears in our beloved VMaxes?

 

[RaWarrior]

Yeah, the VFR1200 has a dual-mode trans....either fully automatic, or a semi-auto where you tell it when to shift. Otherwise you can get a regular manual.

Everything I've heard about Hyosung says the quality just isn't "there" yet. Been getting better, but still lots of sloppy welds, rusty hardware, chintzy plastics, and an overall lack of fit and finish. Especially since for another 10% or so price-wise, you can get a "real" Japanese equivalent. If they were bargain priced I guess I could see the market, but they're really not....maybe a couple hundred less than a Honda or Yamaha.

The Spyder is available with a push-button semi-auto. It works well and is smooth enough, but there's a very noticeably lag if you press the up button with any amount of throttle on. Anyone who's worked a foot shifter for more than 10 minutes could do a better job.

 

[Heretic]

Wasn't the FJR1300 offered with an auto tranny at some point?

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Wasn't the FJR1300 offered with an auto tranny at some point?

Yes, but it was more along the lines of BMW's automotive tiptronic system.

Real manual tranny. Bmw's was a synchromesh tranny just like a motorcycle or formula 1 car
Real clutch.

Computer and servos to control both in a coordinated fashion via push button input. This is what formula one cars use as well.

I'm not sure if the FJR's had the option to "do it your self" like BMW's car....

 

[Bill Seward]

I'd buy a TMax or a Burgman 650 before I ever would overpay for a Ridley.
The motor looks like it came out of a riding mower....

 

[Fire-medic]

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/mcd/2381111672.html

another example of crack-smoking fantasy sellers!
636 cc's, automatic, cool little bike, call larry at 248-939-6123 for more info

oh, and he wants "only $9500!"

 

[RaWarrior]

I think part of the problem is that since Ridley's look awfully similar to HDs, the owners are affected by the HD mindset that their **** is worth about 5x more than it really is.

WOW....a 600cc cruiser with a v-belt. Bet it scoots to 60 in what, 15, 16 seconds or so? Might hit 70 with a tailwind.

My minibike is 305cc and does 0-45(it's top speed) in like 8 seconds. It's a v-belt automatic, you start it with a handle on a string, and it says "Briggs and Stratton" on it. It also cost $150.

 

[Dr. Satan]

It may take a while, but like cars, auto trannys are going to be the big thing. As has been said, it allows a wider range of people to ride.

Admitably, I shy away from any of those things after test riding a Ridley and almost dropping it in the parking lot because of how herky-jerky it is at near walking speeds.

 

[RaWarrior]

It may take a while, but like cars, auto trannys are going to be the big thing. As has been said, it allows a wider range of people to ride.

Admitably, I shy away from any of those things after test riding a Ridley and almost dropping it in the parking lot because of how herky-jerky it is at near walking speeds.

Anything with a v-belt is like that...quads...snowmobiles....difficult to drive slowly. My snowmobile really can't go less than about 10mph without feathering the gas on and off. Figured for a motorcycle they'd set the primary up softer so it could be ridden slowly easily.....I have the Comet CVT on my minibike set so it engages very gradually and smoothly like a scooter, but if you hammer the gas it'll grab hard and wheelie....there's a bit of a touch to the throttle but I'm the only one who rides it so who cares...

 

[Dr. Satan]

Well, I found out (afterwards) that if you apply light pressure to the rear brake on a Ridley, or other auto, that it helps greatly with the low speed maneuverability and throttle control.

 

[Fire-medic]

In-reference to Dr. Satan's Ridley technique:
Kinda like 'power-braking' a Torque-Flight against a 383 or a 440, or a Turbo-Hydramatic 350/400 against any GM big block. Only difference is, when you let-off the brake on a big block, the car or truck takes off! On a Ridley, it's like refusing to stop at the ice-cream stand with a car full of kids-the noise level goes way-up! But, no action. Those things have motors which look like small air compressors or lawn mowers.

Man, if someone gave me a Ridley I would immediately advertise it for sale hoping to find some person who values extreme pricing and lack of performance across-the-board!