Ridley Auto Glide Classic - 2008 Motorcycle Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

kid-kansas
Clearwater, KS

A Mini-Bike on Steriods or a Legit Motorcycle??

value conscious, safety conscious, A Motorcycle Owner

Pros

good looks, no shifting, low center of gravity

Cons

pricey

SEP

2008

While on vacation in Indiana I made a small detour to test ride a Ridley Motorcycle. For those that don't follow motorcycles, Ridley is an American made automatic motorcycle. Yes I said it's an automatic, which means no clutch, no shifting gears but still a motorcycle just the same. Anyway lets look at just what this all means........

Ridley Auto Glide Classic

About an hour or so south of my daughter in the capitol of horse racing (yes Louisville Kentucky) off of I-65 and I-264 is Morton's Trikes an authorized Ridley dealer. To make a fair comparison to Lil' Blue I test rode the Auto Glide Classic which is very close in size. The Ridley weighs in at 460lbs. (Lil' Blue weighs 505 lbs.) Both have a 4.2 gallon gas tank but the Ridley has a 738cc engine where mine is a 650cc. Wheelbase on the Ridley is 2inches longer at 66 inches and overall 1/2 inch longer than my V Star Classic. The Ridley Auto Glide also sports disc brakes front and back, where Lil' Blue has drum brakes on the rear. Where it hurt me was the seat height (I am 6'2) as it is a mere 24.5" which is 3 inches lower than mine. It is also 1 inch lower to the ground beneath the frame.

Okay those are the basic differences between a 2008 Yamaha V Star Classic and the 2008 Ridley Auto Glide Classic. The look is very similar with the large gas tank, steel fenders and overall looks. Starting the Auto Glide I was immediately met with a nice deep throaty sound very similar to a Harley Wide Glide. What threw me off was the lack of a shifter and a clutch lever, you talk about a weird feeling, kind of like a hot dog without chili on it....lol

The Auto Glide responded smooth to a twist of the throttle and off we went and yes I tried to shift gears a few times out of habit. I headed straight for the Interstate to see what it could do and was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it got up to speed and no strain from the engine at all. It handled even more nimble than my V Star ( don't tell Lil' Blue I said that...lol)

This Auto Glide has a Digital Speedo, well actually it is L.E.D., yep you read that right a complete L.E.D. display of Speed and Mileage! Yet even exposed to the bright sun it was still very easy to read. I quickly climbed to 85mph without realizing it and had to slow down a bit. I got off and went back to the dealer but on surface streets with many stops.

It took some getting used to riding an automatic and not having to shift up or down at every light. It handled itself very well in traffic and this old bike rider was impressed, not sold on an automatic motorcycle but I was impressed. I was equally impressed in how comfortable the seat was even though my legs had more bend at the knee due to the missing 3" of height this bike afforded my long legs.

I pulled back in and spoke with the salesman for a bit and then thanked him and I left with Lil' Blue to head back to my daughters. As I was leaving he was still trying to sell it too me, it was pretty (White pearl over Blue Pearl) but the price was a shocker at $18,000! A little bigger engine without a transmission and 3 times the price! I'm sorry but if I am going to spend $18,000 on a bike it will be a Harley!

Bottom Line

Ridley achieves being and automatic by the same virtue my mini-bike did when I was a kid, more sophisticated perhaps but a centrifugal clutch is a centrifugal clutch. Actually it is 2 pulley's designed to move and as they do they move a belt which transfers the power to the rear wheel. Which simply put means the more throttle you apply the faster it goes and you don't have to shift it. What I saw and test drove was nice but not $18,000 worth of motorcycle.

For those who have not gotten a motorcycle because they are not hand and foot coordinated then perhaps a Ridley is your shot a bike ownership. They do look sharp, ride nice and even sound damn good. There are 7 2008 models to choose from including a Trike version. From a low of $13,995 to $22,995 for the bikes and $27,750 for the Trike model

Ridley is a family owned and operated company by Clay and Jay Ridley (Father and Son). I have heard nothing but good things about the company and their customer service and dedication to the company and its customers. For 2008 they warranty is 25 months with an available 12 month extended warranty available. You can check out their line of motorcycles at www.ridleymotorcycle.com and even see videos of the Ridley in action.

I knocked one star off for the combination of high price for a non established high end motorcycle and the lack of available aftermarket accessories available but still a solid 4 star rating for the ride and handling it has. They do sell accessories but they are Ridley made so the price reflects that.

Ridley Auto Glide Classic - 2008 Motorcycle is recommended by kid-kansas

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Comments about kid-kansas’s Review

In response to lonerider's comment from Nov 17, 2008 at 9:46PM:

They are very sharp looking...;)

Saw one at a local bike show last weekend where the owner had it in the show. The owner told me it was bone stock. So you can image the look on my face when it took first in its class against five sharp H-D's! I've gotta say, it got my vote.

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 12, 2008 at 12:14AM:

No - o - o, me neither!

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Sep 11, 2008 at 11:22AM:

Thanks George! Although it is done with a belt and 2 pulley's it acts just like a mini bike centrifugal clutch ......I don't see myself buying an $18,000 mini bike though....;)

Wow that is a strange one - the bike and the fact I missed your review! That clutch does sound like a centrifugal clutch from a mini bike. Good job, Ron! :>

In response to jazzybean01's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 2:11PM:

ummmm.....yep....lol ;)

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 2:12AM:

And that's why your always buying Lil' Blue new things isn't it? To bribe him. :)

In response to jazzybean01's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 5:28PM:

Yes they are but Lil' Blue still gets a bit jealous...;)

I don't think Lil Blue has to worry. Manuals are just more fun than automatics.

In response to joyjoy's comment from Sep 6, 2008 at 1:38PM:

I am glad I could share something new with with you and many others about motorcycles in general. I hope I have sparked some interest in this new bike so that maybe others can enjoy the freedom riding a motorcycle can bring...;)

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Sep 6, 2008 at 10:14AM:

It is indeed a perfect bike for a women or anyone needing a shorter bike or one they don't have to shift gears on....;)

I didn't know motorcycles had clutches so I learned something new today. :)

This was a little over my head in places but I'm wondering if this smaller bike might not be just the ticket for a woman rider. With your height, you probably are more comfortable on a bigger bike.