Comments on: Ridley Will Not Manufacture 2010 Models But Launches Certified Pre-Owned Motorcycles Program

By: Vendor2

Vendor2 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:44:42 +0000

Ridley owes me money too. Except, I’m not bitter. In 8 years of business, we sold them $1.4mm in parts. Are currently owed $21,000 and if we had to write it off I’m more upset about loosing the sales than the $21k. We cashed a lot of checks from them over the years and wish they were still buying as stong as they use to. But then again, nearly every account we have these days is going through the same thing. Clay has always been good about calling with the latest news about a potential buyer or refinancing. I can’t blame him if the market conditions have fallen apart around us all. I guess if you thought he was just trying to get you off the phone with a made up story about some new business buyer you would think he was lying, but he called me nearly every week. I felt sorry for him and decided to leave him alone.

If you are a vendor, your missing the sales more than the balance due. I hate to see anyone have to fold up because Obamanomics.

By: Bobby P

Bobby P — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:08:52 +0000

Just my opinion, what did you supply to Ridley? I am part of a company looking to purchase the assets of the business and am interested in knowing some background. My offer to Ridley would mean that all vendor debt would be settled.

By: Just my opinion of RIDLEY

Just my opinion of RIDLEY — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:32:47 +0000

They don’t have any money. They owe SEVERAL of us a lot of money. Clay’s a liar, Jay’s a prick. Simple as that. You get what you deserve. Sucker punch somebody, they’re gonna come back at you with twice the force…that’s karma.

You can all piss, moan and whine about how great they are, or their bikes are, but their business practices are what are truly in question, and obviously their pricing.

Good bye Ridley. I’ll take my lumps in the pocket, just to see you fold. Come back with some integrity next time.

By: B.

B. — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:05:44 +0000

why keep fighting this one when its draining you of all your money…

By: B.

B. — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:04:48 +0000

Ridley and H-D Settle 7-Year Legal Battle
Ridley Motorcycle Company has agreed to discontinue use of the trade name “Auto-Glide” in any future models as part of a settlement it has reached with manufacturing giant Harley-Davidson; the suit was brought against Ridley in 2003.

The full terms of the settlement have not been disclosed as part of the settlement agreement.

The case was tried in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Federal Court in August 2007, but a verdict had not been announced before the suit was settled. Ridley introduced its automatic transmission Auto-Glide models in 2003 and remains the only U.S. motorcycle manufacturer to offer a fully automatic transmission. Ridley and Ridley Dealers will continue to refer to previous year model Auto-Glides as Auto-Glides.

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:53:19 +0000

Yamaha has a High powerd scooter too except they forgot to put a fake gas tank up front and it still looks like a scooter instead of like a Honda or Aprilia. Plastic seats too.

By: Fredp

Fredp — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:09:08 +0000

I’d go with the new Aprilia 850cc Automatic bike. You can paddle-shift, foot shift or lock it into throttle auto. Plus the gastank is in the rear tail and the “fake gastank hold your helmet (and locks!)

By: Rod

Rod — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:11:04 +0000

I was at the Harley shop the other day and I cost 1/4 to 1/3 less then an all black Harley Cross Bones. The Frame on the Ridley looked Rolls Royce campared to the Harley, even the Harley dealer noticed this as well as a machinist that looked at my bike. The whole front end on my bike is Harley or the got the parts from the same supplier. The wheels even the belt final drive and rear sprocket were the same parts as on the Harley except the wheels were all black on the Ridley while the Cross Bones still had silver hubs. The Lights and and lenses I can get at the Harley shop. Its built by hand and not by robots. Do you really think the retail a Harley is not at least 100% more then it cost the factory to build. I would bet more. An a Honda is probably Much more then 100% more as most Items from south east asia. This information is highly guarded by manufacturers not even the dealers know this. I can tell you from having dealt with some manufactured products that 100% mark up from factory cost is low and when they come from South East asia it is more like 400% or more. I know Items that are marked up by 300% by retailers and thats after the factory mark up. Even when they have clearence sales at 50% they are still making money compared to factory price let alone manufactuers cost. But are they, there are cost to sales based on volumns a salaries and competion keeps this in line. American made competes with much lower wages from their over seas competition and the mark up is usually less. If you only knew.

By: rick

rick — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:39:57 +0000

except that you got ripped off with a Ridley, but if it floats your boat all the power to ya. If it costs the factory $9000 to build’em, how much did you pay for yours?

By: Rod

Rod — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:57:56 +0000

Except Hondas are ugly. I have an all black Ridley Sport and from what I see they (Ridley) are trying to do everything they can to support current owners and hopefully get back into production. My bike runs great, sounds awesome and gets more attention then any other bike I am around. The only bikes that will draw the crowds from around mine has to be custom or a chopper and even those guys give me the thumbs up like I am one of them. I have had people crowd around my bike and give me the thumbs up at cross walks while I am stopped waiting for the lights to change. Hard core bikers give me the thumbs up and the finger to Hondas. Yes I am sorry to say but my bike gets more attention then the Harleys I have been around. I am with Jen Support American Made. Especially when they have something good. You would be obscure on a Honda.

By: rick

rick — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:02:05 +0000

Go Honda. can’t go wrong with a new automatic Honda plus it’s faster and better engineered and worth the money

By: Jen - Ridley Prospect Buyer

Jen - Ridley Prospect Buyer — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:02:44 +0000

It saddens me to see that an American company is being bashed here over petty personality issues. Our country does not have enough manufacturing companies making products in the US; and we need to support those few companies left. I think it is sad to think that only foreign makers can make a good product. I hope that Ridley as an American company can turn itself around. I want to have the option to buy an Automatic bike made in the US.

By: Browse

Browse — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:48:52 +0000

The speedometer on the tank with tach and speedo. Much easier to read than either the bicycle one or the led one and makes the tanks look smaller. Its an Autometer speedometer, at least the one I saw in Myrtle beach was. Ultimately we want to find a good deal on a 2009 Clay Ridley Special. It has the tank speedo and fuel gage. Not a fan of the brown seat or grips but thinking that could easily be changed. Do you any of those? I heard they all sold out before they were built.

By: Current Ridley Dealer

Current Ridley Dealer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:11:40 +0000

Browse, what speedo are you looking for? The NEWER speedo with the needles in it that looks gaudy on the tank has had a lot of issues. Were you looking for the digital speedo with the tach?

By: Browse

Browse — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:03:26 +0000

I know another Ridley rider from NC that has 80k and one in KY with 50k on a Ridley. Both mine only have 21k and 9k. For fuel miles I get about 50 on both.

did I read this wrong or what? It says Ridley is doing the used bikes but the website says its not ridley but the two wheeled adventures selling the used with a warranty? Why wouldn’t any Ridley dealer do this? It says you can buy these bike from Ridley Dealers? Current Dealer with Inventory- do you have used ridleys? Or have you had luck with selling used ones? I have thought about upgrading to the later model with the nicer speedo.

By: Jake318

Jake318 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:01:29 +0000

How many miles can you get out of a Ridley? I have 9 bikes . All different KTM, Buell, Kawasaki , Harley ect Thanks jake

By: Current Dealer with Inventory

Current Dealer with Inventory — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:46:54 +0000

Maybe Ridley should step up to the plate here and answer this question.

By: Current Dealer with Inventory

Current Dealer with Inventory — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:45:59 +0000

I would like to know how this is supposed to help us?

By: B.

B. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:01:47 +0000

Gas Money is just one of the things they wouldn’t re-imburse for when working for them. If we made a trip somewhere, and I had to drive seperate, they would not re-imburse. Not to mention all the extra hours put in. But you’re right, Karma will play its piece. They won’t pull out of this, but at least you’ll be able to get parts still.

By: Browse

Browse — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:27:05 +0000

Own two, love them. Have been to the factory several times for the ROC Rally. Can’t say enough about the company, its employees, and the product. I agree that karma will come into play. Everyone at Ridley has been more than helpful even after the warranties on both bikes ran out. Even if Ridley doesn’t make it I don’t think we’ve seen the last of the Ridley’s in this industry. Im not sure what “reimburse for gas money” means. Who get “gas money” and what for?

By: B.

B. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:45:42 +0000

They sure didn’t pay first class. They didn’t even want to re-imburse for gas money. Thats First Class? To WHO? They are gonna need all the luck moving forward, but Karma will soon tell everyone that they will never produce bikes again. Not new.

By: Vick

Vick — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:32:39 +0000

My personsal experiences with Ridley are consistent with their reputation as being a first-class operation and business. Best wishes to Mr. Ridley and the entire industry of employees, parts suppliers, dealers and customers moving forward.

By: MonkeyMan

MonkeyMan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:25:51 +0000

Boy I don’t think I have ever seen such a rush to kick someone while their down.

I’ve owned a Ridley and never had an issue with them or my dealer. It was a great experience. I recommend Ridley and the products.

I think Clay Ridley has added a great deal to motorcycles with his designs. I wish him the best of luck through these hard times. Heck I just found where Big Dog is struggling. I doubt any motorcycles are selling right now.

MonkeyMan Mike

By: B.

B. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:10:09 +0000

These two guys, father and son team, are quick to forget the favors people do for them, nor do they ever give credit where credits due. Their demise will be their own doing. They never understood the concept of being good to their dealer network. Now they have less than 10 dealers. And their #’s are only going down. This is why they have now chosen to sell directly to the public instead of trying to help any of their dealers move their current inventory.

By: Doubtful.

Doubtful. — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:17:14 +0000

I highly doubt any of the lies are coming from the people that have dealt directly with Ridley corportate. These are not things I’ve heard myself for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th time from many.
Its a good thing Cyril allows people to be heard.