Ridley Motorcycle Company is a privately held motorcycle manufacturing company based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA. Ridley introduced the first cruiser with a continuously variable transmission, the Ridley Speedster, in 1999, and has positioned itself as "America's Automatic Motorcycle."[1]
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The father son team of Clay Ridley (father) and Jay Ridley (son) began experimenting with automatic transmissions in motorcycles in 1995, when building them for his sons as a hobby.[2] Although the vast majority of cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. use automatic transmissions, no two-wheeled vehicles larger than a scooter did, and so to capitalize on that market, they founded the Ridley Motorcycle Company in 1997, which produced its first model the Speedster, two years later.
Following the success of the Speedster, the company developed a full-size cruiser, name the Auto-Glide, which began sales in 2003, and steadily expanded its line. They sustained annual growth of over 40% from 2000 to 2009,[2] and sold nearly 10,000 units through 2009.[3]
The success of Ridley was built on a focus of three unique features; low seat, light weight, and an automatic transmission. Combined with traditional motorcycle styling, the Ridley found a niche with new riders and female riders. The ease of ride due to the vehicles 400 pound dry weight and twist and go transmission made it perfect for riders wanting the look and feel of a big bike with the ease of a scooter.
In 2006, Ridley Motorcycles were sold through 55 dealers in the United States and four international dealers. The company entered the Canadian motorcycle market in 2007 with limited success in ten dealerships spread throughout the country.
As Ridley saw success with its larger Auto-Glide model, Harley-Davidson immediately sued Ridley over use of the name "Auto-Glide," claiming trademark infringement. The case was presented to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in August 2007 in five days, but Ridley settled on December 28, 2009, after waiting three years with no verdict returned.
Ridley Motorcycle Company was sold to 2 Wheel Ventures, LLC. on February 16, 2010. 2WV, headed by Jay Ridley, acquired the Ridley brand and its remaining $9mm parts inventory, manufacturing assets, and intellectual property. Under the name Ridley Genuine Parts, 2WV has been manufacturing and distributing parts for Ridley Motorcycles through the company's original network of dealers and service centers.
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