Author Topic: Ridley Motorcycles (Read 7017 times)

mike · « **on:** December 14, 2005, 05:18:20 PM »

I saw these premiered on some bike show yesterday - Speed Channel Tuesdays.
http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/
They claim they have come up with a automatic that is more efficient and transfers more power to the rear wheel than a manual shift. It's not really a tranmission, like we think of classic transmissions. It kind of works on the same concept as top fuel dragsters, where they dont' actually shift gears, but change the ratio of the drive itself as speed or horsepower allows it. I dunno, it sounded like a good concept, though I could never own a automatic bike - it takes away from the experience for me.

Once I looked at the site, I found out all thier motors were 700 vtwins. Except for one model that was a 1400 vtwin, but it was a 5 speed manual --->kinda makes ya wonder "where's the beef, what am I missing here?"
The lower powered bikes are all autos, but the big one is not--- Hmmm... Maybe it's just new and they haven't developed the drive for the larger bike yet, who knows..

BUT, I bet if the yuppy, never ridden, I wanna bike, dentist, doctor, weekend 20 mile ride type market segment will eat it up. They can just throw a leg over and twist the throttle-hell it's as easy as riding a moped-just heavier, louder, and more powerful.

txbanditrydr · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2005, 05:39:56 PM »

Yeah... I saw that too.... interesting concept (okay, reality) but that rubber belt looks like it takes quite a beating. Wonder what the service interval is for that sucker? Totally different sound too... nothing at all like a manual bike or automatic car for that matter.

LowRyter · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2005, 07:48:42 PM »

they've been out for years and are manufactured right here in Okla City.

They look little Harleys. They are about 700cc and run about 85 mph.

I consider them more a novelty than a motorcycle. Better than a chopper.

John 98 Red B12

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2005, 08:47:08 PM »

Sounds like an ordinary CVT transmission like they've used in snowmobiles, a few ATV's (esp Polaris), and a few cars have even had them (IIRC, Subaru had a CVT Justy).

Wooddog · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2005, 11:10:01 PM »

I remember when I was a kid, Honda had a 750cc Hondomatic. I dont know much about it or how it worked but I think it was a CB 750 with some sort of automatic transmission?

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2005, 11:42:56 PM »

The CB750A was a two-speed automatic... kinda like the motocycle version of a GM Powerglide. Just low and high gears.

Dragbike · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2005, 12:04:18 AM »

Quote from: "LowRyter"

they've been out for years and are manufactured right here in Okla City.

They look little Harleys. They are about 700cc and run about 85 mph.

I consider them more a novelty than a motorcycle. Better than a chopper.

John 98 Red B12

Yeah, a friend of mine in Muskogee had a few HD's and thought his new young bride would look good on one of those. But 7 years ago they wanted 11,000.00 for what looked like a hopped up moped,, they were very small then.
The Hondamatic was a 750 and was a 2 speed, they worked just like the old Honda mini trail 50's and 70's. Boy I sure miss those days!!!!
OH a guy named Chad from OH was IDBA number #1 plate 4 or 5 years in a row on his Hondamatic in the 90's. Pissed everyone off that had a $10,000 8 Sec Pro ET Bikes

He dialed in at 13.89 and always had a .520 or better tree and ran 13.89 @ 90mph almost every time! I asked him what his trick was he said "Well I leave on the second yellow and at 9,000 rpm I shift,

thats it and I win"

Brent

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2005, 01:01:12 AM »

Dale Walker raced a 750A back in the day, too... here's some pics of it:

Quote from: "Holeshot"

Dale built this 890cc Hondamatic strictly to bracket race in 1978. He gave the car guys fits, winning almost every Wednesday night and on Sundays. It only ran 12.30's, but every pass was within a hundredth of a second and that what it takes to win at bracket racing.

Dale thought it would be kinda fun to punch the Hondamatic out to 1000cc's and add a turbo. These bikes never caught on with the general public and only offered a low and high gear. They had a torque converter, valve body and clutch packs very similar to an automotive transmission. It didn't leave very hard, but when the boost came up and you clicked into high gear it would carry the wheel about 8" to around 110 mph then settle down. The bike ran a relatively moderate 11.50 ET, but at an incredible 138 mph. It really surprised a few racers at the finish line...Big time.

b4cruz · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2005, 01:59:24 AM »

my friend had the suzuki automatic once

i had no idea the Justy was an early CVT!
i always wished that little thing could be a rally car
but all those chassis are too old to race against the
modern rally rockets now

old naked japanese standards are the best & so cheap!
thats thier BIKES by the way

kedeg_97B12 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2005, 02:06:39 PM »

I test rode one last summer. A dealership is a mile from my house and they had a open house. They are interesting to say the least. I would say almost dangerous as far as slow. It's funny to hear the engine roar and not speed up very fast.

rider123 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2005, 06:55:19 PM »

Quote from: "kedeg_97B12"

It's funny to hear the engine roar and not speed up very fast.

So what's the difference from a Normal Harley!

I've seen a couple of the GS450A's kicking around up here in Canada, never took off.

KX5000 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2005, 09:07:44 PM »

Quote

1216 Big Bore, Gixxer intake, RCA 21" colored TV
12volt Dewalt drill, Yellow

Kedeg, I love your sig!

Husqvarna used to make an automatic dirtbike, it would upshift at the most inopurtune times, like in the middle of a corner- sending you to take dirt samples for thew EPA.

I've heard that somebody (not sure opf the name) is making an auto clutch for almost any bike, it replaces the stock clutch and then you ride it like a Honda Trail 50/90.

b4cruz · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:43:47 AM »

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Product_Advertorial/2003_December/Dynojet/Shifter.htm

what about these?
are they really safe for modern bike trannies?

Red01 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2005, 08:24:54 PM »

They're just as safe as shifting your bike manually without the clutch (and that's safe when done right), just faster.

The drawback to that one is it is a $267 plug in accessory to a $300+ Power Commander... and they don't make a Power Commander for any of the Bandits.

If you want an electric quick shifter for your bike, IMHO, a better choice would be the PS2 or PS3 Powershifter from Holeshot.

Holeshot PS2

Holeshot PS3

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2005, 09:07:49 PM »

The Suzuki GS450GA "Suzukimatic" bikes of '82, '83, and '85 were actually rather nice. Perfect learners and/or ladies bikes, or just inexpensive commuters. I've thought about picking one up sometime just for sh!ts and gr!ns. I like unique things.

Check 'em out! A shaftie, too!