After 6600 miles in only five months on my first bike, a 350 Honda, it was evident there might be something to this motorcycle thing. So as my horizons expanded, and the open road called, it was decided to get a BMW. Which at the time were referred to as the "Cadillac of Motorcycles." This at a time when Cadillacs were the "Standard of the World." I even had a 1%er come up to me outside a bar and shake my hand telling me, "man that's the Cadillac!" And so the legend went. And my first BMW, a 1972 R60/5 was my ride for the next 13,000 miles, and 13 months. It took me to Florida, where in Hollywood a man made a left turn from the right lane, and it was totaled. I was broken and bruised, and my girlfriend's needed knee surgery, but I would ride again. RIP R60.
So off to 441 Cycle in Ft. Lauderdale, where 5 weeks later a 1974 R90/6 was my next ride. #2. For all four days and 400 miles it was great, until I got rear ended and woke up in a body splint in a hospital-a victim of hit and run. Miraculously I could still walk, but was in a lot of pain. The R90, well the drive shaft was pushed into the engine-dead at 4 days. RIP R90.
So after a few days of major meds, it was off to 441 Cycle again, this time it was an R90S, the one on display at Daytona. #3. And for the next 16,607 miles, we were inseparable. Until while starting the bike, the engine came apart. Right in my driveway. And with no warranty, and a broken heart, I had it rebuilt. Within a few months this is the bike that I would ride west to New Mexico, and start my new life in the Lord. And which I would sell to a girl, once it became a burden to my walk with God. I had had girlfriends who told me I liked the bike more than them, at least that was no secret. But I was to be without BMW's for only a few months, until #4 would come into my life. RIP R90S.
But first skipping ahead a couple of years, I got my last BMW, #5, a 1977 R100S. The bike I would meet Theresa on and we would go riding on the first night we met. But it too, starting making engine noises, and the local dealership replaced the ring and pinion. Still noisy, I picked it up, only to almost make it home before, you guessed it, the engine came apart. Four BMW's, known for longevity, and all of them either crashed or blew up. Now I had had other makes, with no problems, and I made up my mind I was done with the Cadillac. But in between 3 and 5, was one who almost changed my opinion. RIP R100S.
My friend Vince sold Volkswagens, and I sold motorcycles. Enter #4. He brought a 1971 R75/5 by one day, a trade in. The price was right, so I bought it, intending to resell it. It had a white Luftmeister bags, a white Windjammer, and an ignition built into the fairing. The almost perfect bike, my first with bags and a fairing. And I immediately put it up for sale. The only thing I did was put a Christian fish sticker on the windshield.
A deal was struck with a man, who needed 45 days to come up with the balance. So I gave him a note, and after 45 days Garcia and I met him where he was a cook at Denny's. As he gave me the last money, he explained that he had done everything he could to remove the sticker. It wouldn't come off. It bothered him, because he wasn't a Christian. But people kept waving at him, giving him a thumbs up, and other Christians would talk to him when he stopped. So he had checked out this Jesus thing, and now was saved. All because of a sticker on the windshield that the Holy Spirit used to send people his way. And remarkably the only BMW I ever owned that lived up to its legend. And didn't blow up or get hit! Must be a story there!
Living up to a standard, or a reputation isn't easy. Once we make a statement of faith, no matter the ride, we are wearing a target. With my BMW's, the riding world thought I was riding high, "the Cadillac man." But in truth they were the most unreliable bikes I ever owned. The accidents weren't the bikes fault, but after two of them, and two motors coming apart, let's just say that if I was superstitious, I would be superstitious! The same can happen with our walk with Christ. Some weeks go by that if it wasn't for bad luck I would have no luck at all. And we wonder what did we sign up for?
Life is what we signed up for. Not to escape its problems, but to have a loving God to walk with us. To shelter us, protect us, and guide us through life. To show us the way, but still let it be up to us to follow. And like BMW's 1, 2, 3, and 5-life can let us down. But like bike #4, we see that Jesus is always with us, and has a plan-that often times we don't even know about. So carry on! Don't quit riding! Don't lose the desire of your heart because things don't go your way. It took 5 "Cadillacs" to get them out of my system, but I still ride today. And one man is saved because of a sticker on one of them. The only Christian sticker I have ever put on any motorcycle! And because God sent people his way, he came to Christ.
What legacy you live up to is up to you. I choose to be associated with Jesus. Tough times-He's been there. Friends and family turn on Him-He knows. Caught in a web of lies-no secret to Him. Beaten and crucified-for us! And somehow it all works out for our own good! Now that's grace! That's love!
And I have never met anyone else who had the success rate like I have with BMW's. So I rather brag about my success rate with Jesus. What legacy will you leave? I hope mine is more than broken memories and busted bikes. So let me tell you about my Lord Jesus. Did you know He rides?
BMW-Bad Memories Witnessed! What kind of a witness are you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com