Ridley Auto-Glide Old School - Specifications & Review

Company History

Ridley challenged the assumption that big cruisers must be manual by building CVT-equipped V-twin motorcycles with low seats and relaxed ergonomics. The pitch resonated with new and returning riders: the look and soundtrack of an American twin without clutch work in traffic or on hills. Early models focused on user confidence—predictable take-up, strong but progressive brakes, belt final drive, and attention to low-speed balance. The company developed a loyal following among riders who loved the cruiser aesthetic but had hand, knee, or confidence limitations that made shifting undesirable. Despite enthusiastic owners and clever positioning, the boutique economics of certification, dealer networks, and litigation (notably around the ‘automatic motorcycle’ classification) proved heavy, and production ceased. Historically, Ridley’s legacy is a proof of concept: automatic transmissions can fit gracefully in the cruiser idiom, widening access to the category. Many contemporary DCT and auto-clutch offerings echo lessons Ridley learned about throttle mapping, creep behavior, and ergonomic confidence.