The Automot Show has happened in Germany, and those attending got to see
the future motorcycles. Most of us don’t go, or can’t, but thanks to the
internet and Cycle World, Motorcyclist, and Rider, we get to see teaser shots of
new bikes. For many who have waited to see what they will buy this next year,
they have been treated to more power, futuristic styling, and prices to be
discussed-aka more money. But although we see the future, we see many models
based on the past. This is the 31st year of the Ninja, and Kawasaki is
introducing a 30th anniversary model a year late. Mostly paint and badges, they
will sell fast. But their teaser is an H2R, a 295 horsepower ride, the name
based on the old H2 750, three cylinder. And we all wanted one, only to find
Kawi will only sell them for track only, but maybe a 195 horse will be available
for the street. Which isn’t such big news any more. But we’ll see...Suddenly
it’s 1975, or really 50 years after Honda changed the world again with its Gold
Wing. More colors and badges, their take is why mess with perfection. Maybe a
new plush animal will come with it and become instantly collectible. I only
hope they are ridden and not stored away. Honda also showed off a new
futuristic version of its NXT-ugly, heavy, slow, and they think we want one.
Where are the industry leading bikes of yesteryear that we all lusted for? How
about a new CB750? I see the Interceptor is resurrected, let’s see if it sells
this time, was it only 30 years ago they gave us Nighthawks in 650 and 700cc,
with shaft drive that set our heart aflutter, and lightened our wallets via
monthly payments? Where are the “I gotta have one no matter the cost new bikes
this year?” Harley again fails to disappoint with new paint, higher prices, but
does have the 500 and 750, still haven’t seen one on the streets. Indian now
has the Scout, more dealers, and already a reputation and a following, add
Victory and Polaris is listening and delivering. Cruisers still rule. And
Triumph shows us new Bonneville models, based mostly on paint, can it really be
15 years since the new Bonneville injected British blood into the colonists
again? Models such as the T214, based on their 1956 Land Speed record bike, it
went 214, and an ACE Café model, shades of the original hooligans. The ton
being the goal over a set course, 100 mph. How times have changed, once it was
a goal, now the ZX-14 does it in first gear! Yamaha has brought us low buck
motorcycling, a great entry level ride in twins and triples. Good reviews, but
built to a price, the FZ-09 still needs a suspension and engine management to be
a Street Triple. Buy the S3 and be riding while the other guy is still fixing.
Suzuki has a custom GSXR 1000, again color and badges, with a higher price. An
exciting time, but whatever happened to really new models? Could it be the old
stodgy BMW with its new high performance range will be the way to go? More
money, more horses, and more money. Hope it all isn’t wasted on the yuppies who
can afford them.
And so for many, fall is here, winter is coming soon, and they are planning
their last ride of the season. Soon it will be cages only, and snowdrifts and
freezing temps. With spring a distant dream, but with something to dream about
until it arrives. For the hard core it is riding suits, electric, and rides in
between the snow. But for us, the riding season goes on in So Cal, and spring
is just another season, we’ll ride all winter, at lest those who can brave low
temps in the 50’s! It will be weekend afternoons reading old magazines,
remembering what we rode, and after looking at the new, figure we can go one
more year on an old friend. Spend the payments on trips, the latest and
greatest rides surpassing the newest latest and greatest rides. Some will
dream, some will ride, some will bench race of memories. But we all
ride....
Once upon a time, the new 1969 CB 750 was fast, now my Bonneville with the
same performance is slow. Touring meant installing a Windjammer and bungeeing
on a back pack. Now they must weigh a ton, and cost as much as a house. With
sound systems! Once we rode enduros, then they became dual sports, and now we
have Adventure bikes. Which have traction control, cruise, and ABS. For riding
on gravel roads. Sport bikes run in the 9’s, making the 13 second Sportster of
40 years ago as fast as some 400’s. Remember Cycle telling you that it would
put hair on your chest, or if you had hair, it would part it? Now they are
women’s bikes, wonder if the same applies? And so bikes change, times change,
they go faster, cost more, and have become more reliable. Where a tear down on
an English bike was a yearly affair, now 100k miles is no big deal. The rider
wearing out before the ride. And we expect more out of our rides, but still
complain over silly things. Chain wear out, so do tires at twice the price, and
we don’t tune, we service them. We are the future of 40 years ago, our memories
lie in the past, but we look to the future. Hoping our next ride is more
exciting, and more memorable than our last. We are better clothed, better
trained, and ride more miles, and there are more of us. But has cycling really
changed? Isn’t it still all about the freedom of two wheels in the wind, even
if some hide behind fairings? Don’t we still twist the fun handle for an
exciting time?
After 40 years of knowing Jesus, we are closer today to heaven than we were
yesterday. But have more testimonies and stories of God in our life than when
we started out. Many chose Jesus, and through the ups and downs have hung on to
him. Some fell away, but came back. Some fell away, and we wonder what
happened to them. Some are still seeking after finding the world cannot
satisfy, yet some are just in rebellion. But eh one constant, the one thing
that has never changed is Jesus. When older saints and young kids talk of him,
he is the same. Consistent. Dependable, and faithful. Words that cannot be
used to describe anything else on earth. We may have on line services, as
opposed to showing up on Sunday morning, and carrying an i-phone with an app
instead of a Bible, but Jesus never changed. Or his message. The things of the
Kingdom have never changed, and we still look forward to the day he calls us
home with great excitement.
The church may change, God doesn’t. And some denominations are shrinking,
while other churches are growing. And the politics are weighing heavily against
us. But look out, for each time the church came under persecution, it spread
out and grew. Revival spread, and we saw God’s hand move upon the land. Some
churches are seeing times in the desert, where has God gone? He never left, and
is ready to revive them. Are they ready? Some are growing, but not yet mature,
watch as God raises up men and women among them and they grow too. God is
moving, will we be in his way, or get out of way? It is in tough times the
church grew, and Jesus became Lord to many. Things are seasonal, remember the
early eighties when motorcycle sales boomed? And the nineties when they
failed? Yet Triumph and Harley grew, and Victory was born in those tough
times. It is all about the product then, and now. And our product is Jesus
Christ, his message is love and forgiveness, his gift is salvation. What
anniversary will you celebrate with him this year? What new testimony will he
bring into your life? The spirit is willing, how weak is your flesh? The
weaker the better, for his strength is made perfect in our weakness. Ask not
what we can do for our God, but what he plans to do for us! Some will be
looking for the new models, I found the perfect ride 40 years ago. For no
matter how fast, how far, or how expensive the ride, Jesus never left me. He
never gave up on me. He loved me and still loves me as I am, but each year
improves on me. If you want to see the future, you must look back to the past.
And enjoy the present, we are approaching the show of our lives. Where the
perfect blend of old and new, past and present, now and forever will be the main
event. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Who I served, who
I serve now, and will serve forever. Make today a great day in the Lord, for
someday we will look back and talk about it. For now, the future awaits...and
Jesus will be back soon. Don’t miss out on the ride of your life. Bench racing
will never be the same after. You can only remember what you know, know Jesus
today, and remember him forever.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker,blogspot.com