The Story of Ridley Motorcycles
Cool Rides in Barrie, Ontario has been carrying Ridley Motorcycles since November of 2006, making Cool Rides the first dealer in Canada. The Ridleys have always had a drive for innovation. Clay Ridley designed and built his own car at the age of 14, built and learned to fly helicopters, built machines that made shoes, and built machines that improve business. But the work Clay loves best has always been constructing motorcycles. Having received a gift of a welder at age 12, Clay set off to get spare parts, assembling them into fully functional motorcycles. As a teen, he entered the motorcycle show tour circuit, almost always taking home trophies for his scratch building.
As his mechanical know-how improved, so did his desire to build a better motorcycle and a better motorcycle company. Clay's pursuit of innovation led to the first automatic motorcycle and the formation of Ridley Motorcycle Company with his son Jay in 1995. It was that first step that began the Ridley's quest to reinvent motorcycles and motorcycle riding.
Function and protection are high on the list of improvements in 2007. The domestic Classic and TT will be fitted with tough American steel fenders for greater durability and strength. The Ridley designed paint saver fuel caps come standard on all models, protecting the paint from harmful gas fumes. The belt final drive replaces the chain on all 2007 models, reducing road noise, maintenance and dirt and oil on the bike; the life of the belt is also five times longer. Ridley is proud to announce their patented Automatic kickstand will be available on selected 2007 models. No more scuffed boots; the automatic kickstand will raise and lower at the push of a button. And you thought automatic ended with the transmission.
As with every year, Ridley continues to innovate not only the mechanics of their bikes, but the look as well. This year, Ridley is including a round tube swingarm on many models. New paint options and graphics are available to offer you a unique and custom look on every bike.
Ridley Motorcycles are being noticed on the streets and in the media. The bikes have been featured on the Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel, ABC News, The Learning Channel (TLC), and even on MTV. Apparently automatic is catching on for all lifestyles and skill levels.
Going into the company's twelfth year, Clay and Jay Ridley and their dealer network, such as Cool Rides here in Barrie, Ontario, have created a motorcycle company that dares to push conventional boundaries and blaze a new trail in the motorcycle industry. With their continued dedication to improving the bike and the ride, the world should expect the Ridleys to continue driving American motorcycle innovaton.
