By now everyone knows HD stands for hundreds of dollars, and with prices
over $20k and some over $30k, they seem outrageous, and they are. But others
are following, yet Harley takes the blame. But what if motorcycles were sold by
the pound like other things, would they be that expensive? Let’s check it out,
based on manufacturer’s own websites and see. And find out if Harleys really
are that expensive....
A Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited has an MSRP of $28,089. And
weighs in at 877 pounds, or $32.02 dollars per pound. Hmmm. Yet their sport
bike, the XG750 that no one wants is only $7599, and weighs 492 or
$15.44/pound. Maybe the longer name adds value. But what about a Sporty....the
original 883 now costs $8999 and at 545 pounds is $16.51/pound. Wow, a two
wheel blender for only $16 bucks, such a deal. But what about other
makes....
BMW’s ultimate touring bike, the K1600 GT lists for $22,995 and 741 pounds,
$31.03/pound, big bike, big bucks. $15,995 for a race bike for the street that
weighs only 459 pounds, or $34.84, more than a Harley and more bike too. Where
else can you get a race bike for that kind of money? On to Honda, its new Gold
Wing losing weight, $31,800 for the air bagged DCT, 787 pounds or $40.40/pound!
No bargain here, or the new reintroduced Monkey for $4199 with abs and only 236
pounds. A whopping $17.79/pound. For a 125! Go MX racing on the CRF450 for
only $9799, or $35.63 for each of its 275 pounds. But wait, there’s
more..
The replacement for my 2017 Bonneville T120 will set you back $12,350, or
$25 per pound, not pound sterling. But my new Street Triple R at $12,600 and
370 pounds should have cost me $34.05/pound. I could have bought a Harley! Go
figure....and then there is Indian. American pounds. Even a new FTR1200 flat
track replica which is cool. Starting at only $15,499, plus more for the
replica, the one we want, figure on $29.92/pound. But the Chieftain Elite at
855 pounds will set you back only $26,749 or $31.28 for each of its 855 pounds.
Seems no matter the engine size, or brand, figure on around $30/pound to ride.
Could it be that despite all the technology, or lack of it, they really are
selling us a bike to ride by the pound? Say it isn’t so....I’ll still keep my
light weight high performance Street Triple, I mean a bike by the pound, that’s
silly, or is it?
It ahs been said that the chemicals in our body total up to about $20. On
a per pound basis for me, you can get me for only $12/pound. A much better deal
than a Harley, higher miles, better performance, but little trade in value. But
God has put something in us that cannot be estimated, it is called life. A
soul, the part of us that is us, included in each person. One that is fought
for, fought over, and where our heart lives. Being a triune person,
body-physical, soul-emotional, and spirit-eternal, we spend so much time on the
physical, which does wear out both visually and internally. We all get old and
die. But it wasn’t always that way, as before the flood in Noah’s time men
lived longer lives. He was 600 when he was called to build the ark. Today ask
yourself do you want to live to 600 years? Yet we spend so much time on today
we neglect tomorrow, eternity. 600 years is nothing compared to eternity, so
why worry about the small things and forget about the big thing? Based on
eternity, anything we get today is a bargain, but nothing compared to what God
has planned for his children.
Jesus paid the price we often hear. But the price of what? Simply we were
separated by God in the Garden when Adam sinned. The whole relationship with
God changed in one moment of time, and today we still pay the price, as all men
are born into sin and fall short of the glory of God. The only two not born,
Adam and Eve, sinned but were not born into it. So God sent Jesus, himself in
the form of a man, to pay the price for our sin, as the ultimate-last sacrifice
ever needed. And when we confess him and our heart changes, we too are reunited
with God. A gift, without price, because no one else could pay the price but
Jesus, one died so all could live. But he doesn’t force his salvation, his
love on us, for true love, demands a choice. As politicians try to legislate
love and cause more division, God gives our hearts a choice, heaven or hell.
With Jesus or against him. Yet all will worship him, for every knee will bow
under the earth and above it. A picture given to us in Luke as Lazarus is in
paradise, the rich man in flames, only begging for a drop of water. Begging to
send him back to warn his family....he found out to late. Don’t you.
Yet God gives us this priceless relationship for free. Leave it to man to
put a price on it via religion. Ephesians 2 tells us it is a gift lest anyone
boast. You cannot pay, earn, or work your way into heaven. Can you imagine
some of the TV evangelists bragging to God all the great things they have done.
Can you imagine you pleading your case before him? Yet Jesus will intervene on
judgment day,and we will be found NOT GUILTY! Price paid, enter into the
kingdom....or deny him and enter into hell. Knowing fully well why you are
there.
So is the gospel really that expensive? Free so we can afford it, no
tithing required, God doesn’t need your money, but wants you to be a joyful
giver like he is. Yet churches are big business, and one friend of mine,when
needing car repairs goes to his pastor and asks can he his miss tithe? The
pastor’s answer “you can make installments.” That’s religion, that’s not
Jesus. Free to love, free to worship, and free to live a life in the spirit.
Religion binds, Jesus saves. How much is your religion costing you? How much
is it keeping you from all the things of the spirit? All of the things of God
available at salvation? Maybe there is a cost we don’t consider, that of
religion.
So how much does a Harley really cost? Based on your FICO score, based on
added dealer profits, and based on trade in time, a lot. But not more than any
other ride. When new. Only the added price increase each year keeps the used
value increasing. We are all used in the eyes of the world, only Jesus sees
value in us. And when we recognize that value in him, we change. We give, we
love, we forgive. And with no monthly payments, at least in some churches.
What price do you set on your soul? What price your relationship with God?
When the hidden costs are figures in, there is still no other deal like
salvation, free. No hidden costs in Christ. The same price in darkest China as
in the sunny Dallas. If you haven’t decided, maybe take a ride and consider
Jesus. New bike, figure $30+/pound. Salvation, still free. So are Harley’s
rally that expensive? Aren’t you glad salvation isn’t!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com