The ad did its job, it got my attention. "ENGINEERED TO GO THE DISTANCE.
Baggers ride a lot of miles." Showing a leather clad biker on his stripped down
bagger, the tag line led me to believe it was about guys who went places, who
rode into the sunset, but here was a guy without pack, without jacket, without
helmet, and without any indication he was going on an extended ride. He was
even parked in his garage, and this over chromed, too clean for the highway bike
was not what I pictured when I read "to go the distance." Short distance? I
know guys on Gold Wings who fill up once a month-just out of habit. While
others have over 200k miles on their bike, and have no plans to trade. So what
is a lot of miles, what is a touring bike, and what is a tour? And what do they
have in common with the ad?
People don't know what to say when they see our 955i Tiger, our touring
bike. Before the Adventure bike caught on, we were touring on one. Soft
suspension, long travel, great handling, good brakes, light weight(for a touring
bike), and it gets 45mpg@80mph! With the
detachable hard bags, we go for weeks, and time zones. But still it isn't
called a touring bike by many. When first riding, my CB350 got me out of town.
And out of state-6000 miles in five months, when I bought a real touring bike, a
1972 BMW R60/5. But without bags was it a touring bike? When I got the R75/5
with bags maybe that was, but I put more miles on the 600. And moved from
Jersey to New Mexico on my R90S, no bags, the first sport tourer. So tell me,
what is a touring bike?
On a quick seven day ride from New Mexico to Pennsylvania, all I had was a
small duffle bag, a gift from Cycle for subscribing-remember those cool gifts?
I rode the same bike to Canada with Christopher on back with just a tank bag and
knapsack for 14 days. I rode my Nighthawk 650 cross country the same way. And
Theresa and I rode over 55k miles on my Sprint RS, a sport bike, all over the
northwest. Touring without all the weight, and adding fun to the miles every
time we hit the curves. Even one extended 300 mile afternoon, we all switched
bikes, I had Theresa on back. We were on my Sprint ST-with bags, and rode an
Ultra Glide-no room and it vibrated, lots of weight. And Mike's Gold Wing was
smooth, but not as smooth as my triple, handled great, but again with the arm
chair seat restriction was limited on space. And they used more gas than I did,
paid a lot more for their bikes, and well, we won't even get into the prices to
service a Wing or a Ultra Glide. Money not spent on maintence was spent on the
road. Now, just what is a touring bike?
It must be all about the ride, it is for a lot of us. Like the Harley
shirt proclaims, "if you have to ask, you won't understand." When really if we
ask, they can't answer, they don't understand. And not just the HD crowd. From
time to time I meet those who ride, and we share ride stories. Good stuff. And
I also meet those who when they find out I am a Christian, so we share the
Lord. With many viewpoints, just like there are many ways to tour. But what is
a Christian? Much confusion over that today. The media tells us it is one who
belongs to a major religion. Or goes to church, except for Muslim or Jews.
Some share they are born into the faith, or my parents went, so do I. Since
being a Christian involves Christ, let's ask God, via the Bible. But to be a
Christian you must:
1-admit you are a sinner. 2-repent of your sin. 3-believe that Jesus is
the true son of God-Deity, and died for your sins. That He rose again. 4-ask
Him into your heart, and receive forgiveness of your sin, and gain eternal
life. If you have done this, then you are Born Again, a Christian. If not,
take a moment to spent with Jesus. Ask Him into your heart, not a religious
ceremony, some do it in church, some on the side of the road. Jesus is wherever
you are. And welcome to the family! You are a Christian! According to God,
who set the the whole thing up anyway. And just like many choices to tour,
their are many churches. And you will find one that fits you, and just like the
perfect touring ride, you will go many places with God you never knew
existed.
So just what is a touring bike? It is any ride that takes you on roads
going places. Maybe just an afternoon, or all summer. Maybe across town, maybe
all 50 states. Alone or with a group, it expands your horizon and stirs the
soul. Maybe that is the freedom that we who ride enjoy, better than any words,
and it cannot be explained. it must be experienced.
Just like Jesus. The best relationship you will ever have. No words for
the joy, it is beyond that. Even beyond understanding. He must be
experienced. By you, not through someone else or some clever ad. Give Him a
try today. Take a ride with Him and ask Him questions. Spend time in the
saddle going places with Him. Jesus spent His whole life on the road. Maybe
that is what makes it so appealing to me. Jesus and motorcycles, Jesus and
touring, it can't be beat. Jesus and anything-make that everything, hang on for
the tour of your life. Jesus Christ-engineered to go the distance. No matter
what you ride or where you go.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com