A man after commenting on my Bonneville the other day, asked me if I was a
Triumph man? I was at first taken aback, as although I own four, I also own two
Suzukis, and ride new Triumphs for them, I never thought of myself as a Triumph
man. So after a few seconds, to ponder his question, I answered “yes,” seeing
he was trying to direct me to the Bar and Shield that he rode. He was a Harley
man, and thought everyone should be. He was proud of his brand, and thought it
to be the best, and couldn’t see why anyone else would ride anything different.
Some may call him narrow minded, but he saw himself as loyal to the brand. A
Harley rider first and foremost, then maybe a motorcyclist. Not the other way
around. I tend to have a common disease that many who ride have, it is called
motorcycles. We love them, ride them, and even have friends outside of our
chosen brand, but first and foremost we ride. And the let those that ride
decide starts with the brand you ride.
I know many Harley owners who can tell you all you want to know, or don’t
want to know about Harleys, but don’t know a thing about any other brand. They
live and breath, and bleed black and orange, and many have bought into the
lifestyle, or the perception of what riding a Harley means. They ride, but are
they really motorcyclists? Being involved with various motorcycle ministries
over the years, many ride Harleys and tolerate the rest of us who ride too fast,
whose bike handles better, who have great brakes, and doesn’t cost a paycheck to
get serviced. And that can use any oil, not just the HD brand. After tiring of
hearing about what great riders they were, and how they loved motorcycles, I
asked them a question. Sounded simple enough, but the answer surprised me. The
question was “if only two stroke 250cc motorcycles are available tomorrow, would
you still ride?” Almost without thinking, most of them said they would quit
riding. How would you have answered? Maybe there was more to their answer than
they wanted us to know, or admit to themselves.
Years ago my friend Rick Johnson, the moto-x legend, and I did business on
his race truck. When he found out I rode, he asked me to ride with him and his
dad some Sunday on their Harleys. Wait a minute, he was factory Honda. I
figured he would own the fastest and bestest Honda, but no, he loved
motorcycling, and of course loves to ride. The moto-x bike was just his work
bike, and he had others to ride when needed. So was he a Honda man, a Harley
man, or a motorcyclist? Talking with Sonny Barger over the years, he is quoted
in his first book how they are stuck we Harleys, because they were the only
American made bike available. He knew all about my Triumphs, was interested in
the Japanese bikes, and even knew hey were more reliable and offered more
performance. Yet when we talked last year at Hollister, he was riding a
Victory, and loved it, he muttered to me, “I never liked them,” meaning Harleys,
but now had a choice, and switched. This year when we talked, he was on a new
Indian, that he was doing some work to, needs more performance, and is very
happy with his new choice. Now is he an Indian man, a Victory rider, a Harley
man, or a motorcyclist? He knows all about the others, he chooses American
made, not the brand, but the origin of the beast. And he understands why I ride
Triumphs, he told me about the new performance of them, but they “aren’t
American.” Finally Spud, who sells Harleys, is always interested when I come by
on a press bike. On a Daytona R, about as far as you can get from a cruiser, he
showed particular interest. He had read about them, and someday would like to
ride one, but his job wouldn’t allow it. He was like a kid at Christmas, asking
but not receiving, for he too has the disease we call motorcycles. So if asked,
to me it is more important that you ride, rather than what you ride. And many
of us will agree, those who are short sighted may not fully understand the
brotherhood of motorcyclists, and are missing out on the fullness it has to
offer. But we welcome you any way, and rest assured, I am glad you ride, no
matter what brand, size, or origin. Two wheels truly fill the soul....
When people find out I am in ministry, they are often taken aback, “you are
a minister?” thinking I man a pulpit. It further confuses them when asked what
church, I tell them “I minister with many churches, and outside of the church.”
They are looking to identify me with a religion, a denomination so they can
figure me out. Baptist-do I have rules running my life? Lutheran-am I big on
teaching? Catholic-the only true church to many? Episcopal-or Catholic light
as my firned Bruce calls it, all the rules, just not all the ceremony. But when
I tell them I am a Christian, and worship at Maranatha, a Calvary Chapel, they
get confused. What religion is that? I am a Christian, who loves the teaching,
and the basis on being guided by the holy spirit. I have attended Baptist,
Catholic, Four Square, Assemblies of God, and various fundamental churches over
the years, but God has me at Maranatha. And I am a Christian, a follower of
Jesus Christ first and foremost, no matter where I worship. I am not brand
specific, and yet I have denominational enslaved friends who think I am breaking
a law, and not religious enough. Like Fr. Al once told me, his Catholic friends
tell him he is not Catholic enough. Speaking five languages, and knowing all
the catechisms, and masses in Latin isn’t enough. His born again friends tell
him he isn’t born again enough, since he read the Psalms, which he loved. Needs
to be in the New Testament more. And was even in trouble with his superiors for
giving communion to non-Catholics. He preferred Christ over any denominational
restrictions, he loved Jesus most of all. And I use him as an example of a
blessed man in ministry, both within and without the church and its blessings.
If asked, what are you, how would you answer? I love Jesus first and
foremost, and all people. Even those who are religious, I pray for their
release from religion, and for freedom in the spirit. And I pray for all who
ride, you ride so you already get it. But don’t limit yourself to one brand,
one type. Don’t be branded religiously or by what you ride. Be known as a
Christian, keeping Jesus in the forefront, and ride whenever and whatever you
can. Choose Jesus, and all the other decisions will be easier after that. You
will know true freedom, and walk in truth, not legalism. And after all isn’t
that why we ride, for the freedom we have in it? I may not be able to describe
it, but you would still have to understand it anyway. So try Jesus today, spend
time with Him and in His word. Get to know Him better, breaking down all the
rules. He lets you make the choice, choose Jesus, then all things will be added
unto you. And as for why I ride Triumphs, I tell people “you are what you
ride.” My life is a Triumph in Jesus. Says so right in the Bible...”Shout unto
the Lord with a voice of Triumph!” Psalm 47:1. To you Fr. Al, and all those
who have found true freedom in the Lord. Maybe loud pipes do make a difference
after all...but still only Jesus saves.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com