Since you were so kind as to ask how I acquired my FJ1100, let me tell you. Living in Farmington, and riding a motorcycle anywhere in the mid 80's could be expensive. The initial cost off the bikes was low-read discounted, because after Yamaha had vowed to beat Honda in sales, and Honda flooded the market with new bikes, they were still available for a few years at a substantial discount. Now before you get too excited, remember we still had to get them insured. And the companies were against us. In fact, two such notable companies, even took steps to keep us off of them. State Farm, the good neighbor? company, would deny coverage for your home or auto if you owned one of four bikes-Ninja bikes they referred to them as, and they were the Yamaha FJ1100, Kawasaki Ninja 1000, Honda VFR 1000, and the Suzuki GS1100. Ride one, and your good neighbor company would blacklist you. Until the government caught up with them, and fined them substantially, and the laws were rewritten-better, but still not good. The other company was GEICO. Who I still don't trust today. GEICO, for those of you who don't know, stands for Government Employees Insurance Company-but has no connection with any government, or employees of it. But it must have sounded good when founded in 1936, so the name stuck. And GEICO tried to stick it to us. They would sell us insurance, but at an absurdly usurious rate, telling us how lucky we were to get it. And cancelling current policy holders if they didn't come up with the ludicrous amounts. We were bad risks. And were so clandestine in their operations, that they too were fined, but also almost put out of business. So needless to say, if you were trying to purchase one of the above four bikes, you faced an uphill battle.
In many cases, the insurance payment would exceed your monthly payment. And discouraged all but the most hard core from buying these four bikes. And such was the problem with the FJ1100. I bought it new in July, 1986, as a 1985 leftover, from the dealer in Farmington. It had been sold three times, but never purchased, as the purchasers could not get it insured, so the deal was cancelled. So the day I rode in with Brett, just to look, and they found I had steady employment-remember this was the oilfields in the 80's, had a family-bonus points in rating, had no tickets-yet, and was above age 30-barely, I could get insurance. And could just about name my price for the bike. For a bike that listed for $4950, they gave me what I paid for my 1983 Nighthawk 650, and discounted the bike to what they said was their cost-essentially getting a new bike for half price! Which left plenty of money for insurance! And that is how I got my FJ! And my insurance was even reasonable-agent's comment, as even though the bike was new, it was a year old, and the insurance company rated it as used.
A story about insurance companies, to be remembered when they try to sell you their policies. That cute little gecko, or caveman, is a company who once tried to keep you from riding-at all costs, to you, not to them. And so much for being a good neighbor, as my neighbors ride, and I am a good neighbor. Anything for a buck, or better yet a profit-as always, it's all about the money. But the Bible tells different.
There is no discount salvation. And it doesn't cost a cent. It is a gift, so you can't or don't have to pay for it. Besides, it cost Jesus His life, are you willing to pay that price? In Acts we see Peter and John performing miracles in the name of the Lord-laying on of hands, and people receiving the Holy Spirit. When a sorcerer named Simon saw this, he was curious, and wanted what he saw. He was known as the great power, and charged for the sorcery he practiced. So it was natural for him, when he saw Peter and John, he asked "how much to have this ability?" And was told "may your money perish with you, you cannot buy the gift of God with money!" Maybe these TV type evangelists should read this. But Simon's heart was touched, and when told he was full of bitterness, and captive to sin, asked of the two, "pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." Again evangelists-take note!
But we all need to hear this. For salvation is a gift, Ephesians 2. And cannot be purchased, or worked for. So when you are told that your works will save you, they lie! And about God! It is a heart condition that changes you, not an action condition. And just like many were exempted from riding the bike of their choice because of usurious insurance practices, how many miss heaven, or don't enjoy the benefits because like Simon the sorcerer are stuck in a bad church, lousy doctrine, or under the burden of bitterness and sin? Or the love of money? God made the gospel easy, so bikers and others not so richly gifted as us would get it. John 3:16-God gave His only son. Repent-acknowledge your sin, and turn from it. And follow Jesus. Not actuarial charts, or age discriminations. You won't be told you ride to fast, or you have too much bike. Where you live doesn't matter, because it is where you are going that really matters. Seek God today! Do not be lead astray by a serpent, or a gecko. Be a truly good neighbor, and let Christ into your household, and watch as you truly become a good neighbor. And Jesus even tells us that we are His friends if we keep His commandments. Not laws, but we are told to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to love God with all our heart.
And while riding, spend some time with God. He is the original good hands person-and He has the whole world in them. Today place your life there also, and enjoy the ride. On the ride of your choice. Amen.
And that is how I got my FJ. Simple-just like the gospel.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com