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Dec
20
Written by:
InMoBlog
12/20/2007 10:02 AM
'Tis definitely the season to be thinking about stars.
Except, perhaps, for three certain gentlemen from the East tracking one across the desert on camelback two millennia ago, few people have ever experienced the grandeur of a starry winter night as gloriously as those stargazing down a deserted highway on a smooth-purring cruiser.
For one thing, it's cold. Particularly at speed. Particularly if you're wearing anything less than a full snowmobile suit , electric vest, electric socks and electric gloves. All that stuff will keep you somewhat warmer than you’d otherwise be, but it will also dull your senses. And one thing you don't want on a late-night December star search is dull senses.
Try it, instead, in heavy denims and leathers with maybe a thick-with-pre-Christmas-advertising newspaper stuffed under your jacket. Accept the cold, make it part of you, allow it to merge with the rhythm of the road, the feel of rubber on concrete or asphalt, the thrum of the v-twin under you.
Allow the cold to intensify your senses, sharpen your vision, take you -- just a bit, not enough to put you in a ditch -- out of your body and into space. Shoot the gaps between the heavenly bodies. Countersteer around falling stars -- they're very common this time of year, you know. Try to catch your shadow riding across the craters of the moon.
Most of all, enjoy all the beauty invisible from inside a car or truck. Maybe you'll see the Star of Bethlehem still up there somewhere, eternally keeping watch. Or you could catch a meteor shower. Even get, just possibly, if riding in the right place at the right time, a Santa sighting.
The real story of the Christmas Star, of course, is the fact that it stood still while everyone from shepherds in nearby fields to wise men from faraway lands found their way to it.
Which is, if you think about it for a minute, the crucial thing about following a star. You should always pick one that stands still and allows you to eventually reach it, wrap your arms around it, rest the dreams you've carried so long and so far on it.
Here at Indian this holiday season we continue to follow the unwavering beacon of light we focused on when we accepted the challenge and awesome responsibility of restoring this historic company to its rightful place in the universe.
That "star" or "goal" or "mission" or whatever similar word you want to call it is nothing more or less than to build America's greatest traditionally styled cruiser. To build a motorcycle so true to, and deserving of, its heritage that if Oscar Hedstrom could see one of ours standing next to one of his he'd say, "Yeah, that too is an Indian. It's about time someone started building real Indians again."
In following our star, our prime mover, our driving wheel, is quality, not time. Our "deadline" is getting it right, not getting it into dealerships by some arbitrary calendar date.
And our New Year's resolution is to have the new Indian Chief -- a beautiful, powerful Chief with the heart of a warrior and the soul of a nomad -- alive and ready to take you through both starry night and midday sun long before the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calendar is scheduled to come off the wall.
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8 comments so far...
Re: Still Following The Stars
Reading this one brought it all back to me... When I got my new Chief I was soon on an east/west cross-country adventure out of the Northeast – in late fall and into winter. The first night found me riding down the New Jersey Turnpike (NJT) first in the rain – then into a full “Hunter’s Moon”. Two places on that trip were bone chillers.
One was crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge at the end of the NJT into Delaware. The eerie dawn glow of the fog on the Delaware made me wonder what it was like back in the days of George’s famous crossing. I was at the first “rest area” in Delaware having a hot coffee to feel warmer and reflecting on the beautiful night’s ride I had just taken from my home in Massachusetts down through Connecticut and across the Washington Bridge in New York City and into the Moon on the NJT when I was snapped out of my “fog”. The only other rider I had seen in 12 hours called out to me from across the food court. “Bone Chilling Ride huh?” Well, it’s not too bad if you wear the leathers and long johns and really are into it. “I saw your bike – absolutely beautiful”. Thanks, I’m really enjoying it. “Yeah I heard Indian was back – where do they put the plug in for your heated suit?” Uhhh, no plug in – it’s all leather and raingear for me. “No way, there is no way you are out there riding in this cold – where did you come down from?” Massachusetts. “Man, you gotta be one tough …do you know what the temperature is?” Well, I know it has to be low 40s or into the 30’s. “It is 34 degrees out there”. I laughed, riding that Indian I never felt a thing – other than the rumble of the road and a deep sense of satisfaction that this – the ride – is what it was all about
Later that adventure I rode out to meet with the Hopi Indians on their reservation – in December. It was great visit and amazing opportunity to learn of the Hopi way of life present and days gone by. My visit was so mesmerizing that I stayed past sun down. When I finally headed down the road to my lodgings in Flagstaff AZ it was already down to 36 degrees. Again leathers, long johns and raingear were the order of the day as I climbed elevation to Flagstaff I hit miles of black ice that caused me to cruise VERY slow. As I entered the city limits the roads were wet but not icy – the sanders and salters had done their work. As I went to my room the night clerk at the hotel said “Where ya been?” Hopi reservation. He laughed – “Dude, there is no way you were out riding today” Well, yes I was I did the several hundred miles out and back to a town called Kykotsmovi. “Dude, you are insane – it has been snowing here all day roads were barely passable – they just finished the plowing and clean-up!” Huh, I saw nothing but the amazing Milky Way shining in the high desert – what a sight let me tell you. “Are you serious?’ Yep. It must have been the spirit of Indians looking out for me and getting the Flagstaff Public Works to clean up before my ride back. We both laughed and I went to my room - more great road adventures to reflect on.
Dave "Blackdog" Lowden
By Dave "Blackdog" Lowden on
12/22/2007 6:31 PM
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Re: Still Following The Stars
Indian MC, I'll take the "glorious" midday sun and leave the starry winter December late-night rides and all the "grandeur" to those in warmer Southern locations.
Here in Northeast Ohio, including a wind chill factor for above 45 MPH while riding, that would usually put the temperature well below Zero on most late-night December rides. It would be easy to become quite numb (very dull senses) in practically no time at all. Other than extreme cold, blurry eyes, and chattering teeth, about the only thing you may feel around here on a late-night December ride - - - is called frost-bite.
While some may think of stars this Holiday season, thanks to Indian Motorcycle, we all know it truely "tis the Season to be jolly". With visions of sugar plums and Indian Motorcycles dancing in our heads, the tradition and legend lives as we look foward to a terrific New Year.
As for the Indian Motorcycle New Years resolution - - - its like the olde sayings go, "You can take that to the Bank!" - - - it's that good, "Good as Gold". Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Best Holiday Wishes for Indian Motorcycle and to all a Good Ride.
By DH in Massillon, OH on
12/22/2007 6:32 PM
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Re: Still Following The Stars
What?!?!
By Johnnyboyone on
12/22/2007 6:32 PM
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Thanks Indian!
My 65 year old dad died unexpectedly on December 23rd. At his wake/funeral, we had a metal motorcycle sculpture along with a Boston Red Sox flag propped up on a table because my father loved loved loved his Indian motorcycle (and the Red Sox). He rode it to shows, he rode it all over town. He wore his Indian jacket and talked non-stop about how much he enjoyed his bike. I still have his bike parked in my garage and now we're going to figure out what to do with it. Sadly, we couldn't bury him with it. Thank you everyone for making him feel like part of an elite club. I have great memories of him with that bike.
By Kristine on
1/10/2008 9:30 AM
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Re: Still Following The Stars
WOW!!
There's only one other rider out there I know of that comes anywhere near being as dedicated as Blackdog.
Well--OKAY maybe 2 other riders.
WOW!!
Riding miles of that black ice in 34 degree weather on salted - sanded roads is just a tale to tell your buds late at night in the local coffee shops.
I'm from black ice country--and the tales I could tell you about that black ice would just make you wonder!!!
I'm a fair weather rider myself-I prefer warm and cozy--mostly daytime for me.
Amazing the folks you meet and the tales they tell about their INDIAN EXPERIENCE.
These machines continue to bond us into a Brotherhood!!!
By KC Cheef on
1/10/2008 9:25 AM
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owner of KC Banner in Kansas City
It is great hearing all the success stories! I owned a 2000 Indial chief and traded for a 2003 so I would have a true Indial with a warranty. My bike is a Indial Chief Vintage and my warranty was good for a couple of months. I have the only Indian in a group of mostly Harleys and am never sure if I'll make it home, you get my drift. Of my two trips to Arkansas last year my bike broke both times. The first trip the started went out and I had to be pushed most of the times we stopped all the way home. The second trip my ignition went out. My bike went on a trailer and I rode my friend's Road King home. The Chief is currently in the shop.
My friends ask me why I don't sell the Chief and get something that runs. Would you like to know what my bike would bring on the market?
I have been asked to send $1000 to hold my new Indian. I have been asked if I was planning the purchase of a new bike in the next two years. You have told us that the new bike won't be released until you are sure they are dependable. I have been sent an Indian hat but my unhappiness with my current bike has not been addressed.
Would you like my suggestions? Even though you are a new company you are bring back Indian Mototcycles. Do you think anyone who knows me would be interested in buying an Indian? If I had a new Indian that ran and was dependable would my friends be watching? What better advertising could Indian have than to put a few new bikes in the hands of people who have had problems but remained loyal to their old Indians?
What do I expect? I expect this note to be ignored. I expect to be solicited to buy a new Indian and suck it up on the old one, after all that is the American way.
By Daniel Albright (Dirty Dan) on
3/12/2008 8:49 AM
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Re: Still Following The Stars
Hey Dan.
I'm going to guess you'll be getting a little sympathy, and a kick on down the road.
KM has nothing to do with our Gilroy bikes.
I'm still of the opinion that Gilroy, and KM are more closely related than you'd ever want to believe--but hey--it's only my opinion.
Good by me---Our bikes are Gilroy--and never the twain shall meet.
Your name seems familiar.
Are you from the KC area?
Looks like the Lone Wolf Tribe is having an annual gathering the first part of May in Keosaqua, Iowa.
Give me a call--we'll hook you up to a hell of a good time with the Gilroy Indian Riders.
3 nights, and 4 days for a price you wouldn't believe.
PS--Hey Dan.
JAM LTD--Joe Malfa--send him that Vintage, and get one back like I ride.
Miles and smiles---way worth the money.
By KC Cheef on
4/9/2008 1:47 PM
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Re: Still Following The Stars
Stellican owes you nothing , and niether does Gilroy, I'd say suck it up anyways , quit yer whining and enjoy life , Indians arent the only bikes leaking oil buddy , HDs, Hondas they all have problems and the new Indians will too , just the way it is! Suck it up sounds about right to me! I have never had a warranty on anything I have ever owned , dont need one either , if I cant fix it myself , Ill find someone who can, but I aint gonna whine about it!
By Vintage on
5/7/2008 9:33 PM
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