Guzzi has Ewan, Indian has Mark --NGC

[not-fishing]

Guzzi has been first at getting a Movie Star Spokesman and now Indian is following suit.

We talk to Wahlberg about the ultimate motorcycle movie and his newest hobby: "riding the canyons on a Sunday morning when there's no traffic."

http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/cars/interviews/a33335/mark-wahlberg-motorcycles-interview/

I think it's a good thing, more motorcycle riders more riders see the light and move to Guzzi.

I also like the Indian brand, my grandfather had one more than half a century ago.

Now why can't I get a gig like this, sure I'm a little old, bald and paunchy but I can look tough and scary given the right "soft focus" lense  ::(

[LowRyter]

Riding canyons?  OK, Scout.    ;)

[oldbike54]

  Apparently Polarindian is using Wahlberg to promote a line of Indian branded clothing . Sorry , that type of marketing always makes me indifferent to the product being marketed . Impossible to buy cool . Of course the campaign will probably be a huge success   ::) :D

  Dusty

[rocker59]

 ;-T

Smart for the brands to hire guys like Ewan and Mark.

[190 Octane]

I think its a good move, but I always think of this SNL skit when I see Mark Wahlberg.

Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals
Say hello to your mother for me, okay?

[kckershovel]

 Apparently Polarindian is using Wahlberg to promote a line of Indian branded clothing . Sorry , that type of marketing always makes me indifferent to the product being marketed . Impossible to buy cool . Of course the campaign will probably be a huge success   ::) :D

  Dusty

Impossible to buy cool..... Don't tell the Harley and Chopper guys that.

[Arizona Wayne]

Impossible to buy cool..... Don't tell the Harley and Chopper guys that.

Buying stuff is how you become faux cool, not the real thing like Steve McQueen, but he's not around any more so............

Cool is something I've never had a need to be.  :)

[oldbike54]

Impossible to buy cool..... Don't tell the Harley and Chopper guys that.

  :D :D :D :D :D

  Or the folks that buy those Von Dutch T-shirts .

   Dusty

[rocker59]

 :D :D :D :D :D

  Or the folks that buy those Von Dutch T-shirts .

   Dusty

I have a "Von Dutch is DEAD" t-shirt.

Does that make me cool ?

I value it dearly.  Right up there with the "Moto F-ing Guzzi" t-shirts of a few years ago.

 ~;

[Kev m]

OK, let me start this analysis/opinion by saying I'm already on the record for liking the new Indians and I really enjoyed riding (and could own) a new Scout.

I'll add that I've usually enjoyed Mark's work as an actor and have nothing personally against him or his persona.

That said

BULLSHIT BULLSHIT BULLSHIT

It's frustrating now, because I'm trying to teach my sons how to ride a bike with gears, because they have these little automatic shifties—you don't do anything but get on there, just rev it up. They see me doing all the kinds of tricks and stuff I can do on my bike, but they don't wanna mess with the gears. I've gotta get 'em there.


What was your first bike?

The first bike that I've actually owned myself is the new Scout. I was given a bike and then it was taken away from me about 12 to 15 years ago. We won't get into that, but yeah, the Scout is the first one that I've really owned. If I'm under contract or something, I'm not able to ride. Or if my wife is having a panic attack. But I'm figuring out cool ways to be able to ride. We just shot Daddy's Home with Will Ferrell, and Indian plays a really crucial part in the movie. So we got to ride quite a bit. I was actually riding the last three months.

So what got you back into motorcycling? Did you approach Indian?

No, they actually approached us about being a brand ambassador. I was like, "Are you kidding me? I'm very familiar with the brand, I love the bikes, and I love the new Scout, especially."

I think the bolds say it all. He could have given two craps about motorcycles, but Indian approached him with $$$ and he's trying to put the best spin on it he can and act like he really is a motorcyclist.

Sorry bud... I mean, good on ya for making the money and I hope you bring the brand exposure, maybe you'll even discover motorcycles in the process, but in that interview YOU'RE ACTING.

[Dean Rose]

OK, let me start this analysis/opinion by saying I'm already on the record for liking the new Indians and I really enjoyed riding (and could own) a new Scout.

I'll add that I've usually enjoyed Mark's work as an actor and have nothing personally against him or his persona.

That said

BULLSHIT BULLSHIT BULLSHIT


I think the bolds say it all. He could have given two craps about motorcycles, but Indian approached him with $$$ and he's trying to put the best spin on it he can and act like he really is a motorcyclist.

Sorry bud... I mean, good on ya for making the money and I hope you bring the brand exposure, maybe you'll even discover motorcycles in the process, but in that interview YOU'RE ACTING.

 :+1

Dean

[oldbike54]

 Dang Kev  ;D 

 AW , cool exists only in the absence of a desire to be perceived as cool , kinda like most of us here  ;-T Weird , odd,
different , strange , silly , eccentric ... sure  ;D

 Mikey , wish they still made those T's with Taz on the MC , "Taz want go Vroom Vroom"  :D

   Dusty

[Penderic]

Ha Ha ... the perception of coolness really does work in promoting the product.

Before the cool treatment...

"Hi my name is James Dean and I ride a new Dues Stroker 250 and you can too!"

[rocker59]

Then Triumph discovered him...

[oldbike54]

Then Triumph discovered him...

 Actually I think JD discovered Triumph . Two things re Dean , he is often shown astride HDs in modern posters depicting the 1950s so folks believe he rode them , not true , and his wearing of the plain white T-shirt in "Rebel' caused a great increase in sales of plain white T's . Find it amusing that there is a whole industry built around T's with Dean's likeness plastered on them , something he probably would not have worn  ::) ;)
 
  Dusty

[arveno]

Honestly , this kind of advertisement "strategy" of hiring a cool and popular actor /singer/etc does not work for me .
I tend to go the opposite way.

I do not like the indian scout anyway , so even if Marilyn Monroe will drive one , i won't buy one.

Good for Mark and i hope polaris marketing strategy will pay off , but i think that within few years , the new "indian" will sink.

Ciao

I would love to see Mark hamburgers ride a bike LMAoooooo

[youcanrunnaked]

Keep in mind that actors are professional liars.  From the interview with Marky Mark, it appears that his new-found love of motorcycles, and Indian motorcycles in particular, is not much more than an extension of some clever product placement in one of his new movies.  

On the other hand, I have no doubt that Ewan McGregor is a genuine motorcycle enthusiast and a Guzzisti.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2963614/Ewan-McGregor-pulls-Independent-Spirit-Awards-vintage-Italian-motorcycle.html

(Of course, we all recognize that the "vintage Italian motorcycle" McGregor rode to the Awards show was a new California 1400, but at least the reporter correctly identified it as a Moto Guzzi.)

[Kev m]

Good for Mark and i hope polaris marketing strategy will pay off , but i think that within few years , the new "indian" will sink.

Why do you think that?

All indications are that the new Indians are selling very well and are well received by the segment of the motorcycle population to which they are being marketed.

I've heard many a story of former HD riders who now tour the country on their new Indians.

[rocker59]

Honestly , this kind of advertisement "strategy" of hiring a cool and popular actor /singer/etc does not work for me .
 

I'd be willing to bet that it wasn't intended to...

[oldbike54]

I'd be willing to bet that it wasn't intended to...

 Yep , we are not the target demographic . Could be why most of us are here , and not over there  ;)

  Dusty

[rocker59]

I've heard many a story of former HD riders who now tour the country on their new Indians.

The local Indian dealer's Facebook page is filled with old d00ds trading Harley 'glides in on new Chiefs.  

And, the dealership is doing a bang-up business in used Harleys!

Some of the trades are the big Asian touring cruisers, but apparently there is a large contingent of E-glide owners who are ready/willing to try something new and different.

And to be honest, after riding a Chief Vintage last fall, I wouldn't mind having one.   :o

[rocker59]

Yep , we are not the target demographic . Could be why most of us are here , and not over there  ;)

  Dusty

I'm pretty sure Ewan and Mark are intended to appeal to the Gen-X and younger crowd. 

People under 50, and hopefully people in their 30s who are able to spend a little discretionary cash.

Indian does have some greybeards in some of its advertising, but selling to Baby Boomers is a plan that has seen its day.

[oldbike54]

The local Indian dealer's Facebook page is filled with old d00ds trading Harley 'glides in on new Chiefs.  

And, the dealership is doing a bang-up business in used Harleys!

Some of the trades are the big Asian touring cruisers, but apparently there is a large contingent of E-glide owners who are ready/willing to try something new and different.

And to be honest, after riding a Chief Vintage last fall, I wouldn't mind having one.   :o

 UH OH  ;D What did I call you before ... ?  :o

  Dusty

[youcanrunnaked]

I finally got to see the new Scout, at the Progressive Motorcycle Show in Miami last month.  It's very nice.



The local Indian dealer has my name and number.  I am looking forward to a test-ride.

[oldbike54]

I finally got to see the new Scout, at the Progressive Motorcycle Show in Miami last month.  It's very nice.



The local Indian dealer has my name and number.  I am looking forward to a test-ride.

 Craig , see you are dressed for the task at hand  ;D

  Dusty

[rocker59]

The local Indian dealer has my name and number.  I am looking forward to a test-ride.

Nice engine and transmission.  Solid feeling bike.  Not a lot of ground clearance, and a really stretched-out riding position.  Apparently, they've struck a chord and can't keep up with demand, but in its current form I'd never want to own one. 

[youcanrunnaked]

Dusty:  MotoGP cap; Suzuki T-shirt, Moto Guzzi lanyard / credentials holder, with motorcycle-related pins.  Yup, I'm a nerd.  (I am sure that the very attractive young Indian spokesmodel who took that picture was duly impressed -- Not!)

Rocker:  The feet-forward position didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, but the seat did not feel as good as it looked -- too much pressure on my tailbone.  The bike itself seemed well-finished, and I think it's priced right for what it is.  Would I buy one today?  Probably not, but I try to keep an open mind about such things.

[Kev m]

Nice engine and transmission.  Solid feeling bike.  Not a lot of ground clearance, and a really stretched-out riding position.  Apparently, they've struck a chord and can't keep up with demand, but in its current form I'd never want to own one.  

I just don't get the stretched out riding position comment. I don't recall you being shorter than me... so it must be a subjective thing. But I don't think it's any different from a Cali 1400, Chief, or RK.





EDIT - MAYBE IT'S THE FLOOR BOARDS... cause when you're NOT about to shift or brake you can reposition your feet further back.

The CONTROLS themselves are in about the same positions, but your feet don't have to be all the time on the Chiefs.

[rocker59]

for me, the Scout would need this seat (4- or 5-inch height increase), covered in tan leather, and the foot pegs moved back about 12-inches.

[oldbike54]

 You guys need to be careful , Polarindian will be using those pics in their advertising campaign . Just make sure they pay  ;D

  Dusty