Indian Motorcycles is alive and, well producing motorcycles again. New
Indian motorcycles, at a premium price. And I hope they do well, this time.
For since they went to their final rest, at the time back in 1953, the name has
been resurrected a few times, around a new bike, and new companies. Only to
fail, leaving the newest owner with a dream and a marketplace to fill. Of all
the great old names in motorcycling, only Harley Davidson, and Triumph thrive
today. Harley has escaped death a few times, and was finally purchased and
reborn in 1983 when a group of executives bought Harley, and reinvented it,
along with some of the slickest marketing ever known, so good a course is taught
at the college level about it. Triumph, a year older than The Motor Company,
was all but out of business, down to a few bikes built a year for custom orders,
when John Bloor, a British industrialist bought the name and the rights. He
builds cities, and although not a biker, per se, was influenced by others enough
to resurrect Triumph and its name. For historical value if nothing else. And
when he decided to build new Triumph motorcycles, figured he had one chance to
make it. And it had to be based on Quality, something missing from the market
until the Japanese invented it in the 60’s. You can only get by on your
reputation for a short time, and today they are celebrating over 20 years in
business! Building bikes in multiple countries, slowly establishing the old
standby “the sun never sets on the English empire.” And so I hope that Indian
makes it, and after sitting on one, no test rides yet, I was impressed. Great
styling, quality, and workmanship. High priced, but if can’t afford it, ride
something else. Just don’t touch my bike! And although not a cruiser guy, I
hope they make it. And being owned by Polaris, who makes snowmobiles, and
Victories, I think they will, with people and money to back them, could an
Indian be in your future? Another American built V-twin?
And so we see value in a name, and what it can mean. Norton has also been
trying to re-invent itself, a few times over, and has even built a few bikes,
for display only. BSA, RIP, gone forever. As with Matchless, Excelsior, and
other hallowed names in motorcycledom. I even know the guy who is bringing back
Crocker, an LA based bike from the thirties. Steeped in tradition, and
folklore, I hope he makes it. Vincent didn’t, although my friend and fellow
rider Barney Li tried. Only his dying from a crash while touring prevented us
from knowing how good they could have been. Even Royal Enfield continues on
today, with a cult like following, their bikes still made in India, since 1954,
bragging about how you can buy a new 1954 bike today. Low priced, and good for
around town, I too hope they make it. We need the old names, the old history to
come back. For we have a generation who asks me often “Triumph, does Honda make
them?” To them Honda is an old name, going back to the 40’s. Did they really
ride back then? So I advise these new companies to take the example of Harley
and Triumph, and stay true to your roots. Don’t try to be what you aren’t, just
ask Eric Buell, raped by Harley. but now thriving again on his own, you can’t
keep a good man, or his bike down. So maybe what we ride tells us more about
ourselves and who we are than we think. I ride a Triumph, you go figure.
Funny thing about revival, you can only revive something that was once
alive. Resurrection only works on the dead. And that was what all were before
we came to Christ-dead, in sin. it took a savior, Jesus to save us. Not
religion, not chanting, not more rules, or legalism. We don’t need more
religious types to show us the way, we needed Jesus. So that is exactly what
God did, He resurrected Him. History, even outside of the Bible tells us of
Him, He is an historical fact. Birth and death. But it is His resurrection
that throws people off, that they find hard to believe. Yet the same people
that have enough faith to push a starter button, not knowing how it works, don’t
have enough faith to believe that Jesus is God! I guess over 700 prophecies
fulfilled about Him isn’t enough, they want proof. And Jesus provides it via
faith. Sometimes backed up by actions, the proof of faith. I had a customer
once who was a bitter, beligerant gay man. Who hated the fact I was a
Christian, and was looking to vent on me. I was the one who would take his
wrath for all those who deny Christ, because I don’t. I must be weak, for all
Christians are. Wrong again. And when he got in my face, and physically
threatened me, and could not be removed from the lot, I confronted him.
Surprising him, as we all know Jesus was a weakling, or so the story goes. When
he started attacking my Jesus, I got toe to toe with him, and told him, “when
you leave here today, make sure you tell people that Jesus Christ saved your
life. For if I wasn’t a Christian, I would have flattened you!” And he left,
not saying a word. My boss just standing there watching. You see, Jesus Christ
does save lives. Sometimes He just uses us to remind others.
You see there is still power in that name. But only when used properly.
That wasn’t about me, although it could have been, but I cared that day for that
man to see Jesus, and I still do today. Be angry and sin not, we are told.
Tough to do. But it took a tough man to hang on a cross for six hours, to love
us when we were and are unlovable. To ask His Father, “do not hold their sin
against them, for they know no what they do.” Fortunately I wasn’t alone that
day, I had Jesus with me. And there is still power in that name. Power that
saves, and heals, and changes lives. And that day, it saved both of us. Me
from a possible battery charge and jail, him from a stay in the hospital. Only
Jesus can do that, don’t attempt that trick alone.
You see there are old names, resurrected names, and new names trying to
take advantage of a reputation. But there is no other name at which all will
bow to some day. Whether in heaven or hell, we will all bow to Jesus. I choose
to now, I know I can use the practice. And if you are what you ride, then you
certainly are who you believe in. Jesus Christ, more than just a resurrected
name, He is who He said He was. It doesn’t take a graveyard for resurrection
to work, only something dead, that is seeking life. And only found in Jesus.
There is truly power in His name, but it takes Him to stand behind it. Why live
on just His reputation when you can be making one with Him today? Not bad for
man who never ran an ad, or a marketing campaign? There are names, and there
are names. Bow now and avoid the rush. Now there is a name I am glad to rights
to! Not bad for a 2000 year old model!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com