This story is not really about the girl made famous in lore, who couldn’t
decide whose porridge she liked best, or whose bed slept the best, and left a
mess after finding neither to her liking, but of a choice we are offered
everyday, and today’s choice is of which Bonneville is the best for me. Having
put thousands of miles on the three new offerings from Triumph, I feel a bit
qualified to add my two cents to the equation, and my personal insight. When
Triumph shocked the motorcycle world back in 2001 with its long awaited new
Bonneville, of which I have owned five, life was great, the ego was fed, and
there was nothing like the feel of a Triumph. So we were a bit suspicious,
almost apprehensive when we heard the announcement that three new Bonnevilles
would be replacing them...blasphemy. But after riding the first Street Twin,
the entry bike, both our remaining Bonnevilles were put up for sale and sold.
We were still apprehensive after reading the specs, but after riding the bike,
it was a given. Unlike the ticket I wasn’t given on my first day out, the CHP
will attest to its ability to cruise at 85 mph. And no ticket given, because he
couldn’t understand the Georgia distributor plate on a bike in California. And
how a press bike got here from Georgia without being ridden here....But the 500
miles I put on the silver Street Twin for a Rider cover shoot that day convinced
me, and after letting Theresa ride it she agreed, “we want one.”
A choice of silver or red had me riding one of the first Thruxton R’s in
the states. WOW! Power, handling, and love those Brembos. And comfortable to
ride, and after repeated blasts of 120 mph, still got over 44 mpg. Not the
55-56 I got on the Street Twin, a completely different ride. Triumph had done
it...and I wanted one, but still the Street Twin tugged at my hearts strings. I
felt like Goldilocks, too much power, better gas mileage. $8700 or $14,500? Do
I really need to go that fast, but the handling and the power, what to do? For
now, just ride the press bikes and enjoy. Until the T120 hit, and given a black
one, now knew how Goldilocks must have felt. Just right, but not at first. For
at first the bike seemed boring, too smooth, too smooth a power delivery, not
quite the brakes of the R, not the racy look, but the Bonneville look we all
know and love. Great torque, and such a good, refined bike, I wasn’t sure. If
only I hadn’t ridden the other two, the decision would be easy, but I had, what
to do? And yesterday after riding my third T120, and talking with a friend who
is a multi-line service manager, non-Triumph, I let him ride both the Thruxton
and the T120. Blown away by the Thruxton, his reply made sense, “this T120 does
it for me. Triumph got it right, this is the bike I want. It’s fun.” And you
know, he’s right. For him. And probably for me, the Goldilocks bike of the
bunch, not too much, not too little, just right. But somehow I know a red
Street Twin, or maybe silver, is in our future. Maybe this Goldilocks chick
wasn’t so anal after all. Too many choices to choose from, all acceptable, but
one fit her the best. Now if only we can get her to clean up after herself, and
not invite herself into some one else’s home uninvited. Never before has the
slogan let those who ride decide been more apropos to riding a new
motorcycle.
Just like we all ride at different levels, we each walk at different levels
in Christ. And I find that a good foundation when first saved makes a
difference. I was raised on 2 Corinthians 4, talking of how we need Jesus
everyday, and how just because we are saved doesn’t mean everything will be
fine. That we will have trials and tribulations daily, but that God is adequate
in all things. And no matter the challenge, Jesus is up to it. I was given
good fundamental teaching, that was applied. An application of education that I
would need everyday. With an emphasis on the holy spirit, and how without the
spirit to give life, we are still in bondage to religion. Spend a few moments
in that chapter, it may change your walk. Jesus applied, what a concept.
Having spent most of my walk in a church that emphasizes teaching of the
word verse by verse, I may have gotten a college education without the degree
just by attending church. And many of my contemporaries have grown in Christ
like this, but fail to get it all, basing it on the education instead of the
application. Countless hours and years of teaching, but never getting out like
Jesus said into the world and spreading the gospel. Truly saved, and studying
to be approved, they lack the testimonies of those out living it, and although
they may have a scripture handy for each situation, may have never had to apply
it to themselves. They lack a testimony of being there, and miss a side of
Jesus that the trials and tribulations let us see. Knowledge without wisdom,
the seat of their pants worn out from sitting long before the sole of their
shoes from ministering. Maybe even lukewarm, which made Jesus sick, remember he
threw up over lukewarm Christians.
And so while some read about it, and some are out living it, another group
find solace in religion. A rote walk with Christ, choreographed,
non-threatening, and traditional. That old time religion that was good enough
for mom and dad, but was it? Is it? We’ll tell you what to think, how to pray,
and you won’t need to read the Bible. Sit in your pew, be well thought of on
the outside, but silently rotting on the inside. All three groups saved, but
only one enjoying the full fruit of the spirit. Of which meekness is one
of.
All bikes are equal at idle, it is only when the throttle is twisted and
power applied that it goes anywhere. Meekness is that power applied in a
Christian walk. Having all the promises of Christ available, but walking in the
spirit, the fruits are of God, not us, and when applied via the spirit we grow,
we testify, we see lives changed, and Jesus lifted up. By the spirit. And that
choice is available to all who are saved. Yet some live like Goldilocks,
unhappy and seeking something better. I wonder, what would she have done if a
third bed, a third bowl was not available, leave? Don’t some leave the church
for the same reason, seeking but not finding? Yet some desire the power of a
Thruxton, with better brakes, but never go fast enough to need them. To
appreciate them, they live a moped walk and are miserable. They read about
better bikes, but never will know, for fear cancels out any growth. Sound
familiar, how much of Jesus do you really want? With all the choices available,
which one does the spirit guide you to? Are you even spirit driven and not know
it? Has religion boxed you in, and only the spirit is the way out?
Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. We choose, and I want
all I can get from Jesus. To see people saved, healed, lives changed, but by
his spirit. I desire a deeper walk, to mature in him, to be an effective
witness, but cannot do it without the spirit. I want all the power, all the
handling, and all the brakes I need when I need them. If Jesus were a
motorcycle, what would you be riding? Or would you ride at all? Seek Jesus
today and be fed by is spirit. Come alive, and when a pastor teaches on getting
out of your comfort zone, tell him you are comfortable in the spirit, and don’t
want to leave it. Finding all you need in him. Go past the ads, past the
testimonies and get to know Jesus for real. And grow in grace as you never
believed possible.
As for now, I have a new T120 in the garage that needs miles....Lord give
me wisdom!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com