My riding buddies in the early seventies consisted of guys with the fastest
bikes. BH with his CB750 with the Dunstall Café Racer Kit, Bouke with his
Yoshimura Z1, and me with my R90S, tuned properly for the Dunstall Low Decibel
pipes. We rode fast, we rode crazy, and these were the bikes others were drawn
to in the ads and showroom, but then settled for lesser machines. Fast then but
slow now, a piece of history I was a part of. Even owning a 1975 Z1B owned by a
doctor who commuted on it. But although I have memories of these and others,
the new so-called retro rage has not been done very well. Until now in my
opinion. When Kawasaki released the Z900RS, a retro styled Z1, I wanted one.
Even the brown and orange paint job at first glance had you guessing, but was
truly filled with the latest in high tech ideas. Priced a bit higher than the
standard more powerful Kawasaki Z, they sold well, and now a Café Racer like The
Eddie Lawson Replica is available. But for $11,199 plus the usorous fees,
overpriced to many, but not those seeking their first Z, or wanting to relive
their past. I almost bought in a couple of times, but didn’t want to give up
ore bike just for the memories, but now just a year later, there are more than
one used bike to choose from. One with options, and 1500 miles wants $7800
OBO. A high priced used bike with 2200 miles is $9400, and one I looked at was
$8495 with 1100 miles and its first service. Yet they sit, as from the ad dates
you can see no sales. So maybe I can wait, the used bike market is hot, maybe
mine will be worth more, but it seems unless you want a Bonneville, not a retro
but a true Bonneville, the longer you wait, the more affordable they become.
And at the used prices, getting a broken in bike for 30% off. Call it
appreciated depreciation, you gotta love it....if only I live long enough.
So why are so many for sale in less than a year? Was the dream over that
quickly? Was the bike too fast or you too slow? Didn’t fit in with your Harley
buds? The wife needed more room for her SUV in the garage, and refused to ride
with you? Or did time catch up with you, with some wondering if you were having
a midlife crisis? Or are you quick to explain like I do, I’m still in my first
childhood. And over 60 can outride many on faster bikes? It seems time takes a
toll on all of us, at 64 I realize I may only have another 20 years of riding.
I’m currently working on my second million miles, I hope I get there first,
before I am cage bound. Old age and the old bikes seemed so far away once have
me feeling mortal, but realizing I am truly eternal, it is the world that will
pass away. I will just change addresses....
Ecclesiastes tells us God has set eternity into the minds of men. Yet we
cannot fathom the beginning from the end. Emphasizing there is a time for
everything under heaven. Like riding for instance. We want to be in charge, to
make the decisions, but the times and situations change. As do fashions, and
sadly morals. Fortunately Jesus never changes, and isn’t ready for us to take
charge or take over. Take for example a restlessness we all share, I am looking
back at a Z1, the young riders of today are looking ahead to their first one.
We want the pleasant memories, but we don’t want the conditions that go with
them. My friend Brett used to say the only reason the seat was covered was so
it wouldn’t rust. Marginal brakes and a flexing frame, would never make it
today. While some ads and atheists preach evolution as a theory, the Second Law
of Thermodynamics tells us everything is in a constant atrophy, we are all
wearing out. Just like our old bikes. But yet some have so much trouble with
today they find it easier to live in the past, but God wants us to look ahead.
Heaven awaits those that are saved. Hell awaits those that deny Jesus. He is
as fresh and alive as he was 2000 years ago, remember he referred to himself as
God did, “I am.” Not was, not going to be, but is. My is is a bit worn out,
but it will be reconditioned in heaven. With no depreciation, appreciated or
other.
God has installed in us a desire for him, which can only be met in Jesus
Christ. But along the way, we each have our own story and our testimony. He
blesses us with many things, but is careful that we don’t confuse them for the
things of his heavenly kingdom. That scratch we cannot itch may be in the form
of that bike you couldn’t afford then, but can now, but have lost the desire
for. Which may explain the appreciated depreciation factor. It seems the more
we know the more we find we don’t know, but the more we know God, the more we
want to be like him. On the eternal basis he set up for us.
I have found some own and some ride. Some brag on the low miles, I brag on
the high miles. Everything that is old was new once. Life can be described as
a journey, so get out and live it to the fullest. Scripture tells us we are but
sojourners, travelers on this planet but for a short time. You can spend it
looking back, or looking ahead. Your choice will dictate how you enjoy today
and the choices you make. We are all eternal beings, Paul writes we are all
eternal beings, seeing only a poor reflection in the mirror, but some day we
will see Jesus face to face. How you see God now will make the difference in
how you reflect on life. Meanwhile, I have two higher mileage Triumph Tigers
for sale. With stories to tell. Seems I just cannot get that Z900Rs out of my
mind. I’ll leave it up to God to see how it gets in my garage. If he can get
me to heaven, the rest should be easy....as for now, I’m going riding.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com