Most of you are familiar with the Ridley line of automatic shift motorcycles. They're a slightly smaller dimensioned bike built with a cruiser look. Oberdan Bezzi was wondering if it might be time for something a little more sport oriented.
These designs have a semi street tracker look and could bring a rider looking for a sporty ride into the auto shift cruiser world of Ridley. It looks like a neat way to expand their lineup and Ridley might want to think about about something along these lines. Hey, it couldn't hurt and it might attract a few more buyers to their brand.
Actually, looking at these makes me wonder how hard it would be for someone to just take a Ridley and work something up like this. Interesting.
Link: Oberdan Bezzi
Link: Ridley
Kickboxer Subaru WRX Powered Motorcycle Concept
{ 12 comments… add yours below ... }
A sporty bike with an engine from a garden tractor and a centrifugal torque converter?
I doubt there would be many buyers out there for such a combination. There’s a reason why Ridley pairs its laid-back powertrain with laid-back cruiser looks…
His sketches are always great. I don’t like the big front wheeled one, but the yellow one is spot on. Yeah, that engine and transmission with that style bike is a bit of an odd match, but it certainly looks great.
I wonder if something like this would appeal to potential women riders who are daunted by a clutch and shifter? Some of my female friends who are non-riders have told me that getting the controls right are one of the things that makes them hesitant to learn how to ride, believe it or not.
Anyway, I’m sure there’s a market for it…maybe not a big one, but there’s a market for everything, isn’t there?
I’m all for innovation. I think automatic bikes are a cool idea. But these are straight fugly.
I like the yellow Yamaha looking one. I wouldn’t buy one but it looks nice – the tank could use some harder lines. They should offer a manual trans option and judge how they sell compared to the shiftless.
-todd
The engine in the sketch looks like Ridleys 740cc air cooled v-twin. That’s a pretty good size garden tractor engine.
I think the yellow one has potential.
Maybe it would be easier to find a crashed Burgman or Silverwing and work one of those maxi-scooter drivetrains into a nice frame. Obviously a change of final drive ratio is in order when going from a scooter wheel to a motorcycle wheel, but overall it would be a simple way to make a decently powerful automatic. The end result would probably be quite a bit lighter than a big scooter, too.
Yeah, I agree with the comments here (some of them)
I think Ridley’s gone over to the dark side with the price structure, however.
They’ve gotten really expensive.
I checked the web page, reviewed a few existing models, and was shocked at the price. I’ll let you discover on your own what that “average” price is. Hold on to your hat when you see the price list. Trust me, they ain’t cheap now.
I remember the earlier models being not quite full sized and they were sold as a bigger pit-bike type thing, way back when all the big boys were just then discovering custom built Harley powered custom rides.
I agree with GenWayaid, take a SWing600 or Burg650 engine/tranny and put it in a small motorcycle frame. Alternatively, the engine/ECVT from a Mana850 (850cc L-twin with 76-hp and a high-tech electronic transmission) would make a hell of a more sense than a Ridley engine/tranny.
Unfortunately, they won’t deliver much on the look. A street tracker’s appeal comes largely from the very light weight and quick handling. Unless Ridley manages to shed enough weight to be in the sub 400 lbs range and get closer to a sport bike’s geometry, it’ll be labeled as a fake and suffer for it.
Engine size has little to do with it. The 740 and auto trans in a Ridley is simply anemic when pushed into the sporting realm. Compare the performance of a Ridley with something like a KTM Duke III or SM, and there’s no contest.
The Ridley is prettier, but it’s lipstick on a pig. If you’re about posing, well, go for it. If you’re about riding, walk away from it.
RIDLEY is like the USA
Like it or leave it!
If you want a Jap bike……….PLEASE!
These comments remind me of this bike:
http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tsorel/?action=view¤t=bmscoot.jpg
-todd
What the hell happened to that R60! Someone should be shot brought back to life and shot again!
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