Coming home from picking up the latest press bike to ride, a 2011 New Speedmaster, I stopped at Triumph of Newport Beach. Now, Newport Beach, among other things, boasts the largest Mercedes Benz dealership in the US of A. Lotsa money in Orange County. But I wasn't prepared for what I was going to see. Or experience. It seems that marketing departments of some companies, think we rather visit boutiques, rather than dealerships, or shops. And I got first hand a glimpse into the future, and found out something very scary-I don't fit. Pulling up to a pristine building, shared with Ducati, I walked in the front door. Ducati on left, and Triumph on the right. And was greeted by a nice guy, standing behind a kiosk, watching his flat screen. He was pleasant enough, and after telling him I needed to use the bathroom, I walked around. In a showroom, that looked like the show displays. Track lighting, big murals of sanitary people sitting on on sanitary bikes. And as I walked around, I noticed the signs on the bikes-"Please don't sit on motorcycles without assistance." And I wondered, if their customers needed help to sit on them when they were parked, should they be riding? What does that say about their customers? But as I continued to walk around, I also noticed many of the bikes were from Orange County Motorsport, who had shut its doors last summer. Very clean, and sanitary. Just like the bathroom, which also had flowers in a vase. And as I continued to walk around, looking at t-shirts, I noted that the cheapest ones were around $40. And a sweatshirt I liked was over $80. No way would I ever think of sweating in a shirt that expensive. But they did have their own logo shirts for $30-such a deal. I also noticed something else-no parts department. Their were other accessory kiosks, but no parts counter. With no parts men. And suddenly, I felt like I was in the wrong place.
Talking with the man behind the kiosk, like I said he was very nice and polite. But not friendly, not like the guys I am used to, who talk bikes. Looking at his haircut, and neatly trimmed beard, I couldn't see him with a helmet, although he knew all about the latest Arai designs. And he had on loafers-I don't know any bikers who ride in loafers! So we started to talk, and where I had ridden 20 different bikes last year, and was on my third 2011 this year, this guy knew all the specs on the bikes, and all about riding. And when I recognized his words as coming from the same magazines I had just read, I realized this guy had no experience other than reading about someone else's. I had ridden-he had read. He knew all about bikes, he just didn't know them. Which I should have seen coming, as he is the first shop I had ever been to when I brought in a new model, not yet released to the dealers, that showed no interest. Must not have read about it yet. And even though I had my $800 Arai, my expensive Triumph racing leather, and my new Triumph boots, I was a stranger. I had crossed over into the land of designer motorcycle shops-boutiques, it was like visiting the mall, and I detest malls. And all at once a whole old generation of bikers, like me, was being forced out.
Whereas shops used to have old donuts, in greasy cardboard boxes, and stale, black coffee, now they had lattes. No bike magazines in the bathroom, of any kind! No parts guys to show you the latest stuff. And you can't even sit on the bikes! And the whole time, this guy never left his kiosk, or turned away from his screen. Service? The door was shut. And it made me realize why I see the new type of riders I meet so often.
They are designer riders. If their wife lets them, they can have one. Maybe take it out and ride for lattes on Saturday. Wear expensive leathers, buy all the options that they saw on their i-pad, and rather than bench race about bikes and roads, talk about sushi restaurants, and their stock portfolio. Posers. These guys aren't bikers, and these stores aren't even biker friendly. As I looked at the Steve McQueen designer t-shirt, I wonder what Steve would have thought. What kind of half a sissy would wear a women's styled shirt? Brando even rode his own bike in the Wild One, Johnny, would you guys go out scramblin' and stop here? Would Lee Marvin even ride by without expressing his opinion via a hand gesture? He doesn't mean he thinks they are #1. Can you imagine the furor if Bud Ekins lit up one of his Gailiouses? Bud once told Leno he could only come into his shop if he emptied the trash-no celluloid heroes there. Where have all the men gone? And what has happened to our shops?
Old bikers and old shops, never thought I would be one, or miss old shops. Some might say, you're not changing with the times, and there may be some truth there. Change for change sake isn't always right. Or good. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is consistent, you know what to expect, and that is good. He has been there, done that, and even has the t-shirt to prove it. Maybe that is why I get so upset when some so-called Christian spews forth lies based on Oprah, LDS, or Jehovah Witnesses. The Progressive church, taking truth, twisting it, and steering you away from Christ. You don't have to miss by much, just miss. This spirit of anti-Christ, the Bible calls it, is alive and well, and doing harm to Christians and non-Christians alike. The we are all brothers lie-read John 1. There are many ways to heaven-read John3. I can be good and get there-read Ephesians 2. Or there is no heaven at all-the biggest lie of all. Combine that with Jesus was not God, deny His deity, and you have a generation raised on lies, or other men's writings, not the word. Heading to hell. Making up truth as they go-did you know there have been over 4000 changes in the Book of Mormon? How's that for reliability? But their buildings, like cycle boutiques, are clean and modern.
And just like motorcycle boutiques, they live by a set of rules and laws, and advise others, ask us-we have all the answers. They deny that God's grace is sufficient. Woe to them.
Give me a church like the old bike shops. Worn a little from the traffic. Older saints who guide the younger. Young people, the next generation, being raised up to carry on the gospel. Seats for sitting, altars for praying, and Bibles for reading. And we'll close when the last person leaves. Don't make my relationship with God impersonal, or based on man-I want the real thing.
And that is why I probably won't go back to the store in Newport. I ride from the heart, not from Rider, or Cycle World. And I want to experience motorcycling first hand. And the same goes for Jesus-give me the Bible first, then commentaries. I want all that He has for me, and a place to work out of. To meet with others and share Jesus. To fellowship, and then go out and tell others. I even have a name for it-church!
The truth is out there. Guys still ride, and people still seek Jesus. If you are looking for a trend-try salvation. And go for the ride of your life. We'll even let you sit on the bikes!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com