After three days of altered schedules, and over 250 miles in a car, I am
back to riding again. Necessity dictated the car, and I was glad to have it,
but back on two wheels as it should be. And to be honest, I don’t know how you
guys drive cars all the time. To start with without a passenger I had to share
lanes while dodging SUV piloted cell phone junkies. No commuter lane except
when I had a passenger, the main and only reason I was in a car. I used over
$50 in gas, I’m used to filling up for $15 or less. No wind in my face, classic
rock has turned to classic boredom, and I was bored...and boring. So back in
the saddle again, I chose to ride the GS1000 yesterday, it needed some exercise,
and I needed some two wheel therapy. I was in the mood where I just wanted to
ride and enjoy the ride, not be bothered, and for some reason this one time
Super bike champion is invisible to today’s riders. Everyone waves to my
Bonneville, it is cool. Some wave at the Tiger, only those who ride adventure
bikes really can appreciate the cool, and sport bike guys nod in approval of the
Street Triple. But the Suzuki is almost invisible, no one knows what it is.
Even with Suzuki on the tank, I had one guy comment the other day, “I had one
just like it, nice Honda.” Can it really be that a motorcycle that was a
Superbike Champion with Wes Cooley for a few years be that forgotten? Where
have they all gone, I rarely see one anywhere, even for sale? And this bike
still rocks...120 mph at redline in 4th, how many new bikes will keep up with
it? Maybe the perfect bike to go unnoticed on, until I pass you, and you can’t
catch me. Yet today, the Street Triple it shares a garage with will out perform
it in every way, with only 675cc’s. Maybe things have changed...is it possible
I haven’t?
Our Tiger used to get limited use, but still has over 91,000 miles on it,
and takes us both places. It has been in 48 states-how many can say that, or
say that about their bike? Yet without the adventure bike craze started by BMW,
they would go unnoticed, yet it is more comfortable to tour on, is lighter, and
gets better mileage. Just no radio, plush animal, or barn door sized
windshield. Ride a bike or drive a Buick. Again no respect, just fun to ride.
But most of the time I am in a Bonneville mood. Cool bikes, everybody had one
once, wished they never sold it, and wants to tell you stories about it. No
other motorcycle is as cool, and as easy to ride. Some are faster, some handle
better, some have better brakes. Most cost more, but for under $9000 for a new
2014, they are the way to go. And on my 2005 with 69,000 miles, it is the
brother to Theresa’s with 78,000 miles. No leaks to identify them as a Triumph,
they just keep the miles and smiles coming, for after 100 feet you find yourself
smiling for no reason at all...something about a Bonneville that is cool. Steve
McQueen rode on, and we all wanted to be Steve, and Bud Ekins raced and sold
them, and Steve wanted to be Bud. Brando, Lee Marvin, and Clint Eastwood rode
them...and so you can have different motorcycle moods, that take different
motorcycles. And why you must have more than one....have your wife call me,
just not on her cell from her SUV.
So many moods, so many roads, and so many choices, yet we all have one
common denominator-we ride. A choice we make, for no one has to ride a
motorcycle. We want to, we get to, and maybe that is why we take the long way
home. We put up with stupid drivers in cars, and wait patiently while you put
40 gallons in them at a time, we are tolerant of your disability. They can only
drive a car or take the loser cruiser or car pool-not cool at all. Yet we
arrive happy, and with less stress, the only stress from car drivers, and wear
helmet head as a badge of honor. With a great deal of evidence I can say “some
have therapy, I ride a motorcycle.” Ever see one parked outside a
psychiatrist’s office? Yet many mental breakdowns can be averted if only they
rode. Ask any kid if he rather ride in Grandpa’s cool SUV or on Grandma’s
boring bike, they’ll tell you. So why aren’t you riding? I get it, your Precis
gets better mileage.....I’ll bet your kids think you are really cool.
Many look at religion the same way. “All religions are the same, all
churches the same.” And never having stepped into one they are an authority.
Probably never rode a motorcycle either. Yet those of us who walk with Jesus
know different. And that choosing Jesus, like riding is a choice we make. No
one is forced to go to church, or to ride. And God never tells you that you
must be saved, only to be saved if you want to go to heaven. Unlike some
misinformed heathens, you are born into sin, and need a savior. If you don’t
choose Jesus, the only way to avoid hell, then you are choosing hell, and God
will honor your request. God doesn’t send anyone to hell, it is their choice.
And I don’t get it, freedom, equality, courtesy, love, joy, and peace, and yet
many say no? What part of eternal pain and suffering is attractive? And yes,
religion can be bad, don’t confuse Jesus with religion. The Pharisees knew the
difference and wanted to crucify him. Based on all things religious. By the
way the word religious means bound, just like tied up in traffic, tied up in
lies, and with no freedom to choose. So maybe all religions are the same, it is
Jesus that makes the difference. Only in him are you free, free to choose, and
free to make your own decisions. Yet some cannot handle freedom, or even the
idea of it. And since they fear it, it must be bad. And they have it all
backwards.
When God so loved the world he sent his only son, he sent him to show the
way, to show truth. To show love, and save us. Something religion cannot do.
It is personal, and just like driving a cookie cutter SUV may make you fit in,
Jesus makes you outstanding. Let’s you be who you are, and encourages you
rather than dictate to you. Some days you need to take the car, other days you
rather ride. But it is your choice. But at least you get to choose.
Many choices out there for ways to ride. And different moods for each.
Some fast, some cruise, some keep going when the road ends. Some forgotten
after 36 years, some living on their reputation. But still riding. Same with
Jesus. We can rejoice with him, weep with him, ride fast, or just cruise
through the day. He never leaves us, nor forsakes us for a better ride, and
even when forgotten, he welcomes us back. He forgives and is forgiving. If
freedom in Christ sounds attractive, try Jesus today. If religion has given you
bad time, turn to Jesus. And if you never gave him a chance, try him out
today. Find out the facts, don’t believe the lies. Jesus is the way, the truth
,and the light. For nights when you want to ride. For days when you just can’t
take the car anymore. For peace and comfort, when faced with frustration. For
eternal life, and it is your choice. It has been said that only those who ride
know why a dog hangs his head out the window in a car. Are you smarter than a
dog? Choose Jesus. The ride of your life. He is a motorcycle kind of mood,
even in four wheels. Find out what true freedom is today. Why worry when you
can walk with him? And why drive when you can ride? Suddenly it feels like a
Bonneville kind of day...hope your God is as cool, mine is. Honestly, I don’t
know how you guys get by without him...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com