Tuesday, August 4, 2015

if the bike fits, ride it












My wife learned quickly after getting her motorcycle license that your motorcycle is a very personal thing.  Not so much the cosmetics, not so much the cool it makes you feel, but the way you feel on it while riding down the road.  We lowered her ride 101/2 inches, easier than stretching her the same, and suddenly the bike was rideable.  After adding a small windshield, she goes anywhere, and some places others trailer their ride to.  Just a few personal touches made a huge difference.  And soon she learned about her engine size, how fast it would go, and could hold her own with many men who would ask her questions, amazed that the pony tail hanging out of the helmet was a girl.  Under the leather jacket was the heart of a rider...and it became personal.  And so there are many bikes for many types of riders.  I have done 1000 mile days on sport bikes and arrived comfortably, and done 200 miles on cruisers, swearing I would never ride one again, until I did.  I have ridden fast at 40 mph, and slow at 100.  Personally I prefer bikes without all the goodies, but my mind as been changing lately, as all the new press bikes I ride have electronics, from throttle, to ABS, to cruise control, to mini-computers that give a wealth of info at speed.  But it still comes down to how I feel behind the handlebars, and some just take a little more time than others to get used to.  And some I never get used to...must be my age.
Yesterday I rode 300 miles of freeway, mountain roads, and high desert on a Trophy, Triumph’s BMW version of a tourer.  With an electric windshield you can adjust while moving, I was enjoying wind in my face in the mountains, and protection behind it on the freeways.  Cruise set at 80, I could fall asleep, after all that is where it is supposed to excel, but I was surprised how well it handled in the mountains.  I passed Harleys, sport bikes, and rode a pace I usually would on my Street Triple.  It handled very well, and once you got in a rhythm, the fun factor was pegged.  This 900 pound bike handles, it is a Triumph of course, but where you pointed it, it went.  And stayed, no frame shake, no rear end wanting to pass me, and looking at the rear tire, no chicken strips, and it is 200mm wide!  I came away refreshed, amazed, and impressed...but still love my Bonneville.  That does the same thing for 400 pounds less, and no windshield.  So does both my Tigers, or my old Suzuki.  Something to consider when you buy your next bike, or try one out.  Maybe the most important component on a motorcycle is the rider.
Boo hoo to those HD mavens who claim all sport bikes are uncomfortable.  Or you must ride with your feet in the birthing position. True, some sport bikes are a bit exaggerated, but above 80, they are more comfortable, and the light weight in corners doesn’t wear you out.  A new trend, for some years now has caught on, ADV bikes, or adventure bikes, sitting up like on a dirt bike, has become popular.  Once called dual sports, or scramblers, they handle as well, don’t tire you out, and handle great, with superbike power, and ABS brakes.  Why be uncomfortable when you don’t have to be.  Yet we all have the illusion of how we look while riding, my best view is from behind the handlebars, nothing cooler than riding, don’t get caught up in the fashion end of it.  Riding is much more than how I think I look to others, get over it, it is about the ride, it is personal, so enjoy the ride, and if the bike fits, ride it.  And if it doesn’t fit, ride it any way.  Unless the thought of a Prius moves you to emotion...it brings me to tears.
So get over yourself, and ride.  Better than any car, except maybe the new Mustang GT, you have a freedom on a bike no others experience.  All roads call, some will deserve your immediate answer, some will be the way to get to the ones you want, but ride.  For me, one stop along a deserted road, just me and my ride, reminds me of why I ride, sometimes even more than while riding.  It is that personal, get to know your bike, and what better way than to go riding.  So what’s your excuse?
Being a Christian builds confidence in who you are, but more importantly who you are in Christ.  We’re accepted, name written in the book of life, we are saved.  Yet many take their spiritual temperature by the hour, am I in God’s will?  Am I hot?  Am I cold?  Am I praying enough, am I going to all the church I should?  Suddenly it is all about you, when it is really all about Jesus.  It is not who we are, but who he is.  Not what we do, but what he has done.  And some micromanage themselves into a depression worrying if they are doing enough.  They focus on themselves, and forget Jesus, who loved them as sinners, and does the same now saved.  I love it when some well meaning Christian, after bragging how they read so much Bible, ask me “are you in the word?”  My answer is “is the word in you?”  Jesus is the word, is your new life all about him, or still about you?  Many ask “what would Jesus do?”  As a Christian, you have to ask?  Do you know the book or its author?  Does your walk consume you, or does the love of Christ? 
Like what you ride, many are more concerned about the bike than the ride.  The ride is life, and where you are is more important than who you are.  So where are we?  We are in Christ, and should enjoy the ride he provides every day.  So put away your spiritual thermometer, quit worrying about if you are doing enough for Jesus, you can’t, and start living in the spirit, and rejoice because you are simply, wonderfully one with Jesus.  Read your Bible because you want to, same with church.  Don’t fell forced, feel led.  Pray often, meditate, think on Jesus as the day goes, and enjoy the road you are on.  Once saved, you are on the road to heaven, and it takes freeways, back roads, gravel, and driveways to get there.  So enjoy the ride, it is that personal.  Just like riding, except you have heaven.  And can on earth also.
Jesus accepts us as we are, but also is excited about who we will become in him.  To those of us who have gotten over the all about me part, we love the ride, and get excited about it.  And when we get over ourselves, and live a life in Christ not worrying about our performance, we actually perform better.  Riding and walking in the spirit.  So where are you with Jesus?  Where do you want to be?  Still trying to impress others with your walk?   Life is more than stickers and a cool Bible cover, it is knowing the only one who can save.  It is all about Jesus.  Never take to the road without him.  Next time someone asks you about your ride “what’ll she do?”  remember it is all about who twists the throttle.  Does Jesus twist yours?  Ride in the spirit, and don’t worry about what is behind you.  Use your mirrors wisely, and keep looking ahead.  Where your eyes go, the bike will follow.  So keep your eyes on Jesus, the ultimate ride.  You will find that others don’t care about how much you know, but about how much you care.  So if the bike fits, ride it.  All the way to heaven.  And enjoy the ride.  It’s a personal thing.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com