Rider Auto Glide  Old School

Here we go folks, this was a little different. I had a magic carpet ride the other day. I rode the Ridely Motorcycle. This is definitely not a Prostreet bike for the often-needed adrenalin rush we sometimes require. What this bike does offer is a great alternative for some riders that want to take control and grab the handlebars and ride off into the sunset. By that I mean if you have been on the back of a bike as a passenger and wanted to move to the front of the bike, but the heavy bikes with all of those gears take the fun out of the transition, here you go.

The Ridley offers a no shifting, no clutch lever to pull, light (445 pounds), very low seated (24”) motorcycle that is so easy ride all that you have to do is twist the grip and go. It is powered by a 750 cc four-stroke two-cylinder V Twin motor with the Ridley CVT automatic transmission.

This can be a very forgiving entry bike that has until now kept some people out of the market. This would be a great ride for anyone that does not like to shift or needs a really low seat. In the past a lot of gals have used the 883 Sportster as an entry bike to the Harley world. With this lower seat, lighter weight and being automatic should place this ride several notches above the ole 883. They have gone after some of the good old classic looks that are popular today. By doing this the Ridley will look to a casual observer on the side of the road to be a much bigger bike than it really is.

The new 2006 Old School Ridley that I rode is a step back to a time when gangster white walls, springer front ends and ape hangers were all the rage. In early 2005, Clay Ridley built himself the first Auto-Glide Old School. The tremendous amount of interest in the custom Auto-Glide brought Clay to add it to this year’s model line.

The old School shown has several optional items that include a springer front end, chrome ape hanger handlebars, black wire wheels, vintage white wall tires, bobbed five gallon tank, and sprung solo seat. Wheels come in either Black, Red or Pink with available matching colored handlebars.

They also have the Auto-Glide TT, Auto-Glide Classic, and Auto-Glide Sport. (For pics see below) One of the best options this year is the New Belt Final Drive optional that replaces the X-Ring Chain final drive. This is one of the biggest improvements for the Auto-Glide Model in years.

Road Test

To start the engine you have to push the button by the right grip just like any Harley. You also have to hold the front brake on to get the engine to crank. This was no big deal – the thing you have to get used to is that there is no clutch lever at all. I felt naked without the trusted clutch lever. But you know what, after being underway for a couple of seconds; you do not really miss the clutch lever. The constant speed auto clutch mechanism never lets the engine rev very high making it feel like it is time to shift, hence the missing clutch lever never really comes into play.

When you have to stop or start you get an itchy hand and foot wanting to grab a gear. Someone starting out for the first time would not have that feeling though. The little Ridley does have a good sound to it. Unlike a new Harley, you can hear the exhaust – it doesn’t sound too bad for stock.

After heading east on McDowell I headed for the on-ramp to the 101. The little Ridley did a nice job getting up to speed. I would say that it is faster than the 883. With the short on-ramp, I was doing 70 by the time that I got to the 101 and I was able to easily merge with the traffic.

It is not a fast bike of course, but it is respectable. It has some shortcomings on acceleration from 75 on up. It will do 80 no problem. And it feels like it would do 80 all day. You just do not want to have to accelerate and pass from that speed. That is not what the bike is made for and I am sure that the market for this bike is not concerned about this aspect.
This would be a great bike to cruise around town and any back roads like the way to Prescott through Wickenburg. I am sure this would give any rider that wanted this kind of ride a lot of trouble free happiness, either on the streets or the back highways.

I did not spend a lot of time on the bike. It was fun and any time you can let the air blow though your hair while holding onto a set of handlebars is great. This was so easy to ride that it should open up the market for more riders. I just hope they find out about this neat new bike.

Summary

The little Ridley is easy to ride and fun. If you have a very short inseam, this is the bike for you. Because of the lightweight and no shifting, this bike should open up new markets for new riders. If you are looking at the H-D 883, you should really consider this bike too. The down side is the lack of power over about 75. But that is no different than the 883. The price points are a little high. But you get a lot for what you get and no other motorcycle offers what this bike can deliver.

Source by Kirk Johnson
Nov. 2005

RIDLEY MOTORCYCLE COMPANY