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

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the four freedoms of riding

There are many myths surrounding the different types of motorcycles we ride.  30 years ago the first thing we changed when buying a new bike was to put on low bars, now every manufacturer makes a sport bike, save for Harley.  Low bars, clips ons are standard, and how can they be comfortable?  Then at the opposite end are the cruiser guys, the Harleys, Victorys, and the new Indian.  Sitting upright, but many with feet on crash bars, legs spread apart in the birthing position, holding on tightly to the apes, and I wonder how can that be comfortable?  Gold Wing riders look at me and wonder how can anyone ride something without a sound system, compressor, heated seats, and electric windshield, and call it a touring bike?  And finally the BMW GS crowd, with one trip through the Tourtech catalog, and a new bike, you can spend $30,000-for a dirt bike, that no yuppie will ever ride in the dirt.  And yet in my 2006 Tiger, I find the perfect combination of all rides for me.  First is the freedom from wrist pain.  I have ridden sport bikes all my life, and currently riding a 2015 Daytona R- a race bike for the street.  In traffic it is painful on the wrists, but above 80, and in the curves, I am having the time of my life.  Going faster in corners than I should, and having a bike to back me up, but my Tiger is almost as fast, and comfortable-in all riding, all day.  On all roads,a nd with Theresa on the back. 

Today’s adventure bikes like the Tiger, BMW GS, and Yamaha’s Tenare don’t have you stop when the pavement does, and allow to a certain degree  an off road adventure, if 600 pound dirt bikes can be adventurous.  But kept in common sense boundaries, I have gone down many roads on the Tiger when I would have turned back on any other ride.  Riding up the backside to Parkfield on the gravel road among the cows on my Sprint RS is a good reminder, today I just keep going, and enjoying the ride.  So I can enjoy the second freedom, the freedom from clean pavement.  Underneath all that asphalt is dirt, and dirt takes you places the pavement won’t.  And you get dirty, which is always fun.  And amazing how a sign saying pavement ends is only the start of an interesting ride.  So many places are only a few dirt miles away....Theresa and I know how to pack.  We have even taught it to others, after watching as Mike and Randy came out from their motel room with their luggage on a cart.  I was embarrassed for them, we had two tank bags, and a tail pack-for both of us.  But we use soft luggage when we can, but on the Tiger it has hard bags, so we can fit more, more securely, and not worry when we leave the bike unattended.  We have the third freedom, the freedom from soft luggage, and knowing how to pack, we have been gone for as long as 37 days-take that Gold Wing rider, travelled over 11,000 miles and 31 states.  On a non-touring bike!  With no radio, or GPS.  We pack for 4 days, then repeat.  We can do it with soft luggage, but I too often see soft luggage sliding to one side, or loaded incorrectly-give me the Tiger with hard bags anyday.

The fourth freedom works on both the ends of the seat.  Theresa has taken up to 6200 pictures on our trips, most from the back of the bike.  And as any rider knows, if the passenger is happy, so will you be.  Too many wives won’t ride because some husband thinks his skinny seat looks cool, let him put his fat butt on it for an hour, then ask him.  But with the comfy Corbin seat we have on the Tiger, we also have the ability to look around.  I can see over most cars, some SUV’s, and around pick ups.  I can turn my head a far as my neck will turn, without pain, and nothing to inhibit its view.  Sitting up dirt bike style, is still the most comfortable, and I can look at more than my elbows in the mirrors, while the mirrors stay clear with no buzziness unlike my V-twin friends.  And I can enjoy the freedom of riding, which is why many of us ride rather than take the family saloon or car pool.  There are freedoms within the freedom, and I can be happy on any bike,at any time, given the right conditions.  But when it gets nasty, I’m tired, or have another 500 miles to go that day, I am glad I chose the Tiger.  And like many are finding, adventure bikes handle like a sport bike, have better brakes than a standard, and are smother than a Gold Wing.  And with less chrome to polish, can look even cooler than the $3000 extra you just spent at the HD store.  Mile after mile.....

Yet we all ride, the most important thing.  So we get the freedom thing.  But how many times after along day of riding, if someone called you for a ride that night, would you accept or make excuses?  We’re home, bike put away, clothes in washer, yet the ride calls, or the road call to you.  And that can be the best ride of the day.  A short trip with a friend, the road the ride, and the destination is home and in bed a few hours later.  Reviewing the rides of the day, and planning for tomorrow’s.  I had a friend call me the other day, asking me to go to a rally for the flag with him.  I used to, but stay away from political rides, I rather ride.  That is my form of protest.  But he was concerned if he should go, he had never been to a bike rally before, what if there was swearing?  What if their were scantilly cladded girls?  What if people were smoking?  What if....and so he decided not to go, can’t go out to where all that sin is.  And yet, that is where we are directed by Christ to go.  Out to where the sinners are!  Years ago I got upset with God at a CMA rally in Ogden, Utah.  LDS country, and they knew we were not.  Asking God, “why would you put a group of Christians in the middle of LDS land? his answer was simple.  “Can you think of a better place to put a hospital than where the sick are?”  And it all made sense.  But to my friend, he studies day and night to get closer to God, to be a witness, yet stays inside the church four walls.  He knows more verses, can tell me where it says so, but has never seen the application.  He is hiding from confrontation with sinners, rather than embracing them.  In all his studies, he still hasn’t gotten to the part to love sinner, hate the sin.  He is preaching to the choir, and missing out riding.  He has no freedom, but yet is fearful of who he might see, what he might hear, or worse yet who may see him at such an event.  Maybe if we look at Jesus in a different light, we see Him with hookers-scantilly clad, biker types, the religious-Pharisees, and He probably hears His name spoken in vain more than you ever will.  Yet it is out among the sinners, where the sick are, He takes His message of healing and salvation.  His choir is the world, and He is freedom.  Freedom from legalism, freedom to live, freedom to be who we are in Christ, and the freedom to leave the four walls of the church.  Four freedoms in Christ-and while riding.  For Jesus knows we are the church, and no walls can hold back His love or His message.  No amount of knowledge can overcome His wisdom, and no piety can overcome His humility.  So out into the world we go...riding in the freedom of the spirit.  We are the church, and we are taking His message to a lost and dying world!  Now that’s freedom!

Sadly the world of motorcycling is becoming like the religious-we are dividing ourselves.  We need to remember our commonality-riding, and ride with each other.  Not argue over which bike is better, or faster.  it needs to come down to the rider, a good rider can make a bad bike better, a bad rider can trash a good bike.  Works like that in church too.  So remember the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, and take Him and it wherever you are.  I rather be described as a guy who rides, and who loves to ride.  And I would rather be known as a man who loves Jesus and His church.  And wants to take that message out on the road.  The ultimate freedom, riding in Jesus.  Now that’s an adventure I am glad to be part of!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

broken news

Breaking news-Robin Williams, noted Orkan dead from apparent suicide.  He was 63.  That was the breaking news story on every TV news program yesterday, and again this morning.  Now  I thought he was funny, we had even been to Boulder and even seen the Mork and Mindy house.  We laughed when we saw his spontaneous tirades on TV, the man was funny, and gifted.  But somehow last night I went to bed feeling bad, not for him, or his fans, or myself, but for America.  For the following news items all gave way to Robin’s suicide.  Continued bombings of ISIS, who are worse than Al Qaeda, murdering and beheading women and children, committing genocide to those who will not deny Christianity.  Who came to power after we told the world when we would prematurely pullout of Iraq.  And never intervened with the 170,000 murdered in Syria, after we drew a line with them.  Hamas and Israel are on another cease fire, as Hamas, another terrorist group using citizens for protection, hiding rocket launchers in their homes.  A peace brokered by Egypt because the US cannot, Egypt hates the Moslem Brotherhood, we let them visit the White House.  A black young man, age 18, scuffles with a policeman and is shot, and his parents seek justice, which really is revenge, they want him dead or in jail.  The president called and vowed the FBI to investigate.  Meanwhile a Marine sergeant sits rotting in a Mexican jail, while he does nothing.  Obama sending millions overseas to help refugees, but Texas provides its own National Guard to protect the border, while the president plays golf on Martha’s Vineyard.  Finding time to tweet about Robin Williams.  The World Health Organization tells us EBOLA is an international risk, and we may have a potential cure, but we won’t send it to Africa where it is spreading.  Instead, we bring the EBOLA patients here, protected in the same contamination suits they were wearing to prevent getting the virus, introducing it into the United States.  We are now arming the Kurds to defend what is left of Iraq, claiming this people without a country are our best friends in the Mid East, isn’t Israel our treaty partner in the same area?  And aren’t they a country?  They defend their borders.  And what of the United Nations?  Who by the way, are conspicuously absent from world affairs, holding more meetings and conferences, but not sending troops or aid.  And NATO, I thought we were part of the treaty?  Where are they?  Meanwhile Benghazi, the IRS and its missing emails, and Lois Lerner shy away from tonight’s news, somehow not making the cut.  Congress is on vacation, so is the president, making me wonder who is running the country?  Or are we just waiting for another catastrophe to react to, rather than prevent.  Leading from the rear, called chasing your tail, isn’t leading.  But gas prices are down, the Dow is up, and A-Rod is protesting his discipline from using illegal drugs.  The police in Colorado where pot is now legal, have no laws to test for driving under its influence, and accidents are increasing, but with no prevention in sight.  And finally, Amazon announces a run on Robin Williams DVD’s, already back ordered less than 8 hours after his death.  He was known to be deeply depressed.....and what does that make you, with all this other real news going on, is this breaking news or is the news really broken?  Oh, almost forgot, Ninja Turtles led movie sales at $65 million.

Now this is not political, so don’t try to twist it as such.  Just reports from various news sources last night and this morning.  And I wonder, how far have we really fallen, and how much farther do we have to fall before we get it?  As the NSA continues to monitor all our actions, and we continue to lose all our privacy, I find myself inside looking out, the inmates are running the asylum, or maybe should be-they could do a better job.  An interesting news piece was on this weekend, it is 40 years since Nixon quit as president, and TV shows aired the Watergate investigation.  Which I remember, Nixon was the first president I voted for, just turning 18 that year, and we all remember his famous “I am not a crook.”  But one article mentioned something I hadn’t seen or heard before, out of the hundreds of hours of Nixon’s tapes, how did they know that on such a date, at such a time, for such a duration, the investigators should listen?  Who in the White House ratted Nixon out, and why?  We may never know, but today you could be sure it would make news...right after TMZ.  And so maybe, the news is letting us down, I miss Walter Cronkite, once the most trusted man in America.  Huntley and Brinkley bringing us the news, straight faced and soberly.  And I find that in a world that is decaying, nothing is new under the sun.  And like the frog in the pool, who likes the warmer water, doesn’t realize it is too late until he is cooked.  The news phasers have been set on stun, and we are, we just don’t know it.  But it will all change soon, for there is still hope for this world.

Jeremiah prophesied for over 40 years, not seeing any of the predictions God gave him coming to pass.  He was mistreated, made fun of, and regarded as crazy.  Much like Noah was until it started to rain.  But we are told in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful, and cannot be understood.  It is beyond cure.  Yet Dr. Drew tells us to trust our feelings, why we are advised to get in touch with our inner self.  Dr. Phil wants us all to get along, and where is Dr. Joyce Brothers when we need her?  Did Robin Williams get in touch with his inner feelings?  Did he trust is heart until the end, leaving his wife to find his body?  After being depressed and being an alcoholic, were his inner feelings really horrors?  What did his actions tell us about his inner feelings?  Where did he turn to, his friends?  Long ago we learned, put drug addicts together, you find better scores.  Same with car thieves, you make better thieves.  So why do we trust our hearts, who let us down, our feelings who can depress us?  What do you do?  Where do you turn?

Jesus is there, He never left us.  To the end, He was with Robin, just waiting for him to turn to Him for help.  He doesn’t force His way into lives, and doesn’t charge fees.  Yet His success rate is 100%.  So why is He avoided?  Because the heart is wicked, and wants it way, not God’s.  It takes a contrite heart, and a broken spirit to come to Jesus, and ask forgiveness, it is called humility, no appointment needed.  And I rather be humbled than humiliated.  It is that simple, and everybody on earth will some day come face to face with the question, “who is Jesus?”  Peter answered “thou are the Lord,” and Jesus told him he answered correctly.  Jesus taking broken lives, broken news, and turning lives into testimonies.  Turning freaks into people, instead of people into freaks.  He is the answer, yet many turn away.  Today you can turn to Him, before it is too late.  Your death may never make the news, but it is important to God, so important He wants you to live forever.  So He sent His son Jesus.

The news today will be the movies of tomorrow, and we know how it all will end.  Except we won’t be here.  Make your reservation for heaven, you don’t want to see how the news reports the disappearance of millions of Christians.  All found in the Bible...outlawed in many countries.  Read it while still available here.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com