I was on my way to San Juan Capistrano for lunch when I passed the local
Indian store. Seeing the Indian Demo Trailer and the bikes lined up, I knew
what was going on, so stopped and checked it out. A group was ready to go off
on their demo ride on new Indians, and having done crowd rides before, opted to
pass, but would return later, after a real ride. Which I did, only for the new
flat track model, and in a group of three, off we went. Now you cannot tell
much in ten miles, especially at posted speeds, but the guy leading was cool,
and we went at a pretty fair clip. Even into the eighties on a short freeway
jaunt. Lots of power, great Brembos, and a horrible seat buzz at 5000 rpm.
Think of an old Sportster on steroids-BAD! But it is quick, and after a short
ride, would I buy one? No, but I want one, maybe loan me ne for a
weekend...just to see. And hopefully the bikes are set up properly, these
weren’t, as low tire pressures and no explanation of things before we left. But
I did get a ride, fortunately the last demo I took, when the salesman wanted to
return, I said I wasn’t done and took off. And he was off today. But the guy
in charge gave me a suspicious look when I said “I want to burn the tires off
this thing.” Pointing to a sign that said you had to be able to ride a 1700cc
bike. If he only knew of my Rocket Three adventure with 220 hp....
Which reminded me of another ride test when Ducati brought out the Diavel
years ago. Broken into two groups, the first one the “gee I get to ride a
Ducati, and obey all the laws,” and then the group I was in. After a quick
orientation, of how to switch to power mode, and being told not to, yeah right,
the first group of 12 went off, then us, where I was the last in line, next to
Mark Cernicki, road test editor with Cycle World. We quickly passed all the
bikes in our group over the 25 mile ride of back roads, and most in the of the
group, having fun with the 157 hp on tap. Cernciki is nuts, somewhere between
fearless and senseless, and when I entered a tight 15 mph corner at 25 well
leaned over, he went around me flat track style, all crossed up. Looking at me
when we stopped, I asked “bored?” He nodded and off we went again....Now that
is the way to conduct a test ride. And no I don’t want one, and would never buy
one. Like the Indian FTR too expensive. I rate both as stylish and powerful,
but not to be ridden far or for long. Like the Triumph Bobber, cool to show off
and ride short distances, but you need another bike to go riding. I suspect to
see Indian sell all they can make, limited supply will help, and see me in six
months when they are used for a lot less money. But it will bring customers
into Indian showrooms, I hope it does better than Harley did with Buell. Maybe
the quote by the then Harley CEO said it best, “it is easier to sell $3000 worth
of chrome than to sell performance to our customers.” Where is Cernicki when
they need him? And I have been warned he crashes a lot..and not to lend him my
bikes. But for one afternoon...it was paradise.
It may be hard to find anyone who hasn’t been invited to church. Many that
I know who are saved have not been saved in a church service, although churches
teach and encourage members to invite friends to church to be saved. Like my
test rides, they want to bring in a person and sell them Jesus, see them saved,
and join up and in. Not a bad idea, but not evangelism as scripture tells it.
We are to abide in Christ, acting like Christians everyday, all the time, you
never know who is watching, and we are to be an effective witness. Yet I watch
too many evangelize by inviting those to church, and losing faith when no one
accepts. Be it safe to say, everyone somewhere along the line has had a bad
time at church, or from other Christians harassing them. They have questions
too,and are not the enemy, Satan is. Yet we turn on them when we cannot win an
argument, or persuade them to agree with us. Yet they too have the same spirit
telling them they need Jesus as we did before were saved, the spirit gives life,
and Jesus is that life. Religion binds us, but not together. We have freedom
in the spirit, but some don’t want freedom, and deny the spirit, even though
saved.
What is it that sets us free? The spirit. Not being a Baptist, Catholic,
Mormon, or any other organized religion. Only Jesus. But too many test rides
with Jesus are like the sponsored crowd rides, keep it safe, eliminate stress
and threats, and look for a sale or conversion at the end. With no follow
up....allowing you one chance to be saved, then on to the next group. Like many
I wasn’t saved in a church and never went forward at a rally. A man took the
chance of telling me about Jesus, and the spirit took me from there. I never
said a prayer of faith, joined a church, or became a member. I gave my life to
Jesus, and after a test ride, my words were “I’ll try this for awhile,” and 44
years later haven’t looked back, or regretted my decision. Jesus offered me
freedom, can your religion offer the same? When the many go forward on Easter,
why are the churches not filled the next week? Was it just another ride with
Cernicki, or another group ride following the guy ahead of you at a safe
distance? Do they have the spirit of the Lord abiding in them?
When asked “how do you know you are in the spirit?” my reply is “I know
when I’m not.” You see the fruit of the spirit, is suppressed, no love , joy,
or peace. No goodness or kindness, no meekness or self control. I am in
control, and the worst parts of me show. Hatefulness, jealousy, bad thoughts
and even thoughts of murdering the one who cheesed me off. So what to do? Turn
to Jesus and confess it, ask for forgiveness, and help, and go on. Knowing we
were that person once who was hated, but now we can love. The regeneration of
the mind as Romans calls it. One test ride will not do it, you need to ride
everyday. To keep Jesus close, and abide in his vine, his love.
So don’t confuse the church with Jesus, or call him religious, he came to
free us from religion, and set us free. Name a sin or problem, he can and will
free you from it. Sadly for some just a test ride until things don’t go their
way, but for those who persevere, it is all worth it. In tough times he stays
close revealing himself, and wants to stay on in the good times too. He is the
ride that doesn’t end, the friend who rides along and never leaves you. His
spirit is the sound you cannot hear audibly, but can hear inside. He is the one
you cannot use finite words to describe. For he is infinite. And he is the one
offering you that ride to meet him, to know him, and to let him save you. And
then never leave you. If that sounds like a ride you are interested in, call on
him wherever you are, right now. He is listening, and the call is free. He
will set you free. Many are called, but few are chosen, they deny who Jesus
is. He is more than chrome and add-ons, he is life. With everything included,
no accessories needed. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Between you and
me, if they ever make a bike like that, I’ll buy it. But for now, I’ll keep my
Triumphs. You are what you ride....even if you never rode a 1700 cc motorcycle
to prove it! Demo Jesus today and add life to your style. And leave the golly
gee group behind.
Anyone up for a ride?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com