Legend has it that a Mr. Rip Van Winkle of Sleepy Hollow, NY fell asleep one afternoon, and awoke 20 years later. Confusing thunder for some guys bowling league, he awoke to a much different world than he fell asleep in. I may have gotten a glimpse into the past and to what he awoke to yesterday. While at ECC having a new tire put on the Bonneville, Herm, the service manager showed me a crashed Gold Wing he was almost done repairing. Now that all the parts had finally arrived, he was able to replace the air bag-yes air bag, and now that he had all the components, from the four sensors in the forks to the control unit, wiring harness, and air bag replaced, the radio didn't work. Now Herm has been fixing Hondas since they were just a motorcycle company, and I'll bet he never imagined on his first day back then ever replacing air bags or fixing radios-on motorcycles. But that was the dilemma keeping the customer from riding that afternoon. And just like the Honda commercial says, "I wanna ride, I wanna ride..." but my radio is broke.
So while Herm pondered his next move, I cruised the showroom. And looked at the new Gold Wings, 2010s as the new ones weren't available yet. $28,000 for a new bike with the air bags. And as I wondered if I was looking at a Honda car or motorcycle, I realized they had much in common. And that a Civic with sound systems, ABS, cruise, Air Bags, and trailer towing-like the Gold Wing has, still offered air conditioning, heater, and no need for a trailer, it has a hatchback, gets better mpg and is $10,000 less! And I wondered how long I had been asleep! And as I thought more, seeing all the Wings I do pulling trailers, pin striped, and decked out in chrome via the Kuryakin catalog, these motorcycles were out the door at over $40,000! And doing some quick math-while keeping my shoes on, discovered that for only $35,000 I could have a new Mustang 302, with all the above, and over 420 hp! As fast as a Gold Wing, and probably more fun based on acceleration alone. And all I could figure is guys like Herm, me, and others like us had fallen asleep and then were awoken to another time. A time where motorcycles were more expensive as cars, just as complicated, and not quite as much fun. The fun being the defining criteria, as I remember they used to be fun. And when I look at my garage, I don't have $35,000 invested in all my bikes, also no ABS, no radios, no air bags, and I wonder-am I asleep or in a dream? Either way, don't wake me up until it's over.
Maybe that is why I keep my motorcycles and my God simple. Too many programs taking the place of Bible studies at some churches. Too much of this and that classes, but not enough of the gospel. Seems we all know someone, or are someone who knows more Bible than Billy Graham, yet still haven't become familiar enough with the author to call Him by His first name. God wants us to call Him Dad, Abba. And so we fall asleep, and don't realize it, continuing to rack up seat time-in church or on bikes, not knowing we are almost comatose to the spirit. A wealth of knowledge, all the illusions, but without love. Missing both the simplicity of the gospel, and of a great motorcycle ride because of too many "things." And rather than looking ahead, we only look back to the first time we got saved, and how exciting it was. And still wish we could have the first euphoria of the wind in our face as we did on our first ride. Before religion replaced Jesus, and programs replaced people.
Twenty years passed very quickly for old Rip. He hardly knew it until he awoke, and found out the world had changed and he hadn't. If you haven't changed, and you think Jesus has, wake up! It is us who needs to change, and get back to the basics-the gospels. Pick up your Bible, put down your i-pad, and spend some time with God. While waiting for it to charge, pick up the book, and turn the pages. And go back to before you fell asleep. And find that Jesus is just as fresh today as He was way back then. And that air bags, don't belong in churches or on motorcycles. Learn to ride and enjoy the trip. Get to know Jesus and enjoy life!
All this technology has not made a better rider, and so many books and tapes don't necessarily make you a better Christian. And that is maybe why Rip slept for 20 years. He had no reason to wake up. Don't make the same mistake. Technology may have changed, but it still takes more than two wheels and a set of handlebars to make a motorcycle. Until you add the motor, the heart of the motorcycle, you may only have a wheelbarrow! Dump religion, and take on Jesus. Rest time is over. No more napping! Your new day has begun, enjoy the ride!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com