save a cowboy, ride an Indian

There are certain brands that are truly American, so iconic that you only need to see the bowtie to identify Chevrolet.  The blue oval as Ford, the dynamic stripe as Coca Cola, and the bar and shield as Harley Davidson.  But for some iconic brands, the script of their name identifies them, such as Triumph and Indian.  Who both have been in the motorcycle longer than Harley, and both been resurrected from the dead, or near death.  Triumph perhaps better known, as they have been producing high quality motorcycles under John Bloor’s ownership for over 20 years, importing them into the US of A since 1995.  When John was talked into building motorcycle again, he being a billionaire real estate developer, he saw the importance of the name, and its reputation, but felt they only had one chance to make it in today’s market, they had to be known for quality.  Triumphs were always fast, even setting land world speed records, and the 1957 Sportster was Harley’s response to Triumph winning on the tracks.  But when Triumph faded, their quality was poor, but their reputation was legendary.  Even today when out on out Bonnevilles, people come up and tell us their Triumph story, “I dated my wife on it, it was fast, but it leaked, couldn’t be ridden at night, and left me stranded more than once.  But man I loved bike, and wish I had one again.”  And now you can, and many are.  Harley was saved from extinction when a group of men bought the company, and redesigned it and gave us the Evolution motor.  And today they are the best selling brand in America.  And some other iconic names have tried, Excelsior Henderson lasted a few years until the company self destructed.  Norton keeps threatening us with a revival, but falls short time and again.  Even my old friend Barney Li was building a V-twin under the name of Vincent, using Honda sourced motors when he died.  And I met Mike, the owner of Crocker, who is still working on bringing back the bike and the name.  All based on reputation.  Which brings us to Indian, who started before Harley, then quit in 1953.  Resurrected, built bikes, then failed.  Another company, built bikes, then failed.  Again a new owner, new factory, but way too expensive, sold to Polaris, who is now building new bikes, and has my choice, the Scout coming out this year.  I have ridden the new Indians, good bikes, fast, great brakes, but heavy, just as some one thinks cruisers should be.  Even Sonny Barger now rides one, look for others to follow him as the product is quality.  It performs, and provides an alternative to Harley.  But the three things that will make them succeed are quality, reputation, and perception by the public.  I love their ads, but it will all come down to the product-someone will still have to ride one.

No one builds a really bad product any more, the market place will not accept it, and with CADCAM  and CNC manufacturing, tolerances are smaller, and quality greater than ever.  Quality, not perceived quality is expected, and bad news travels fast-faster than any motorcycle, even a Hayabusa.  Second is their reputation, and Indian has the name, the heritage both in racing and in styling-I love the Indian head that lights up on the fender, and the valanced fenders, a new 2014 looks like a 1940’s Indian, until they are placed side by side.  The new Bonneville are another good example, and both are good enough to tickle the older memories.  And somehow both have capitalized on their past reputations, with a new breed of rider desiring both.  Which leads us to perception, which can mask the truth, today perception can be misinterpreted as truth, and today’s Bonneville twin with its counterbalanced engine, fuel injection, and electric start are far more than any Bonneville from 1969 could ever hope to be.  And Indian knows that well, has the money and engineering to back it up but also has the heart to succeed.  I think they will this time, I wish them well. 

What are you looking for in your God?  Start with quality, Jesus never sinned.  He was the most recognized civil servant participating in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and delivering life giving water to the thirsty.  His record of success was 100%, never a warranty claim against Him, and even when tried was found innocent of any crimes, even the paid liars who accused Him couldn’t stand up to the truth-He is truth.  He did everything He said He would, including resurrection, all without government help.  No tax breaks for Jesus, when asked about taxes, He caught a fish, and took a  coin  out its mouth, showing His audience Caesar’s face on it, advising “give unto Caesar the things of Caesar, the things of God unto God.”  Which built Him a faultless reputation, from children to Pharisees, meeting Him changed their lives.  They were willing to trust His words with their lives, such was His reputation.  And even when grilled by Pilate, concerning His claim of being the Son of God, He was found faultless.  No crime ever committed, yet He died a criminal’s death on our behalf.  His final act before death, the thief on the cross acknowledging Him, a private time no one but he and Jesus would know about, but an entrance to heaven granted.  The thief saw it, Nicodemus saw it, the centurion saw it, and Saul of Tarsus saw it.....do you?  Who do you see when you hear the name of Jesus?

In the history of man, no other name is as recognized, feared, loved, and both hated and despised as the name of Jesus.  But His love of sinners goes on today, His Father patient that none should perish.  Now, what does your god offer you?  Does he have the quality of person, the reputation, and the perception by those who know him that Jesus does?  And it all comes down to product, God’s own Son, made perfect to deal with our imperfection.  With a lifetime warranty, who else but Jesus can promise eternal life, and deliver it?  And what other group of believers, starting with the disciples, are willing to bet everything, including their life, unto death,  to follow Him?

Some iconic brands have been resurrected, but none like Jesus.  Who is more than a brand, surpasses any religious affiliation, and is that personal.  Jesus saves-isn’t that enough?  And I have a slogan for Indian, with apologies to those who ride horses.  “Save a cowboy, ride an Indian.”  And if you are what you ride, I am glad to ride a Triumph.  But Jesus will always be my brand of choice.  You can make Him yours today.  Like the ad says...”stop dreaming, start riding.”  The best things in life never go out of production or style.  And today the Cross is the most iconic.  I hope you identify with it, I am sure glad I do.

love with compassion,

Mike

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