CV for Clay Ridley, Innovator/Inventor/Founder/President

The "Ridley" in Ridley Motorcycle was introduced to fabrication at the early age of twelve, when he received a MIG welder for Christmas. His creative hobbies were noticed much earlier by his parents who allowed him to have a jig-saw in his bedroom. From his early childhood, when he built his very first car from scratch at age fourteen, through today Mr. Ridley has invented his way through life. Having founded seven businesses before entering the motorcycle industry, Clay is without a doubt a serial entrepreneur.

Ridley, along with his son Jay Ridley, founded Ridley Motorcycle Company in 1995 with the creation of a motorcycle that was cleverly designed as a three-quarter scale motorcycle with traditional motorcycle styling. The idea and motorcycle was never intended to leave the neighborhood. Interest in the concept compounded and orders soon followed. The original concept dealt with size, but soon unveiled an "accidental idea" that would have the Ridley's holding this tiger by the tail.

The idea of an automatic transmission motorcycle is nothing new to motorcycling. In fact, other larger manufacturer's had introduced semi-automatic motorcycles in the 1970's. Their so-called automatic models lacked styling, functionality, and a market. Ridley's innovative motorcycles remove the need to clutch or shift creating a fun ride that keeps riders smiling and coming back for more.

Since 1997, Clay Ridley has lead the company's research and development department which is referred to internally as "accidental engineering". The name spans back to the original idea that was a mean accident, but solved an issue many riders had when trying to ride motorcycles. Today, the company's ideas and designs are developed much different than they were over a decade ago. Computer modeled and tested before making the first cut, Clay Ridley and his R&D team continue to innovate motorcycling. In 2005, the team unveiled a push button kickstand which extends and retracts the side stand with the push of a button. That innovation was recently awarded a patent by the USPTO and other worldwide patent offices.

Clay Ridley was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he spent most of his youth.

He has been married for over 31 years to Jonnie and has four children, Valerie, Jay, John, and Andy. Ridley is deeply involved in his company, where he works nearly seven days a week. He is a regular contributor to the RidleyOwners.com message board sharing his ideas and helping owners.

Interesting Fact: The software programs used by Ridley Motorcycle in production, inventory, accounting, purchasing, and sales are all written by Clay Ridley which are modified by him almost continually.

For more information please contact Image Action 1 (405) 848-5988 or email press@ridleymotorcycle.com