I started out on a friend’s Honda 50, with the kit to make it look like a
motorcycle, if you don’t count the various mini bikes that preceded it. Then it
was BH’s hand painted CL77, then my first bike of my own, a brand new 1972 Honda
CB350 . Seemed like everyone rode one back then, but already the dreams of the
750 Four were dancing in our minds, stepping over the 500. The Kawasaki Mach
III was too much bike, real reason was none of us were two stroke guys. But it
seemed that as the numbers in the name grew, so did I desire to own one. Bigger
meant better, and my next bike was a BMW R60/5, 600 cc’c that didn’t perform any
better than the Honda it replaced, but with shaft drive and being called “the
Cadillac,” I was hooked. Only to be hooked again when it was totaled, then
again the 1974 R90/6 that replaced it, all mine for the four days before it too
was totaled. Running out of choices, it was either a Z-1, or stick with BMW,
their new R90S, the ultimate motorcycle, nicknamed that as for no other reason
than it cost $3430, when the Z-1 could be had for $1995. But the newest of new
BMW’s became my newest BMW, who else could brag, or complain they had three
BMW’s in a month’s time, all paid for in cash? I had come long way from the
Honda 50, both in money and cc’s. You could say that I had seen the chrome, and
the chrome had taken me in. All before my 21st birthday....
It seemed we all had the bike of our desires at one time in the group I
rode with. Bouke on his Yoshimura Z-1, my helmet blew off my head at 105 mph!
In second gear. BH on his Dunstall Honda 750, and the Wildman on his Mach III.
All go fast guys, the oldest not yet 25, with all the latest the industry had to
offer. Harleys that leaked were behind us, same with Triumphs that pieces
vibrated off of. Most two strokes were dirt bikes except for the Yamaha RD350,
and only a stranger with his girl friend on back of his Mach IV to challenge us,
and as BH found out, that ring a ding ding was still the king as it blew him
off. Times were measured in quarter miles, rides measured by tickets we got or
didn’t, and the ability to talk a strange girl into a ride. Girls who rode were
scarce, biker chicks out of our league, or us out of theirs, and it was hard to
find a girlfriend who liked to ride, messed up her hair. Many a first date on
two wheels guaranteed us no second date, but we didn’t care. Skirts or wheels
will eventually break your heart and wallet, we had found all we needed or
wanted in our bikes, and could ride all weekend for the price of a date. We had
seen the chrome, and decided blonds may have more fun, just not on our rides.
We were young, fun loving and out for a good time, and nothing else mattered.
Slowly we would all be married off, and some would give up riding. I was the
fortunate one, with a wife who loves to ride. The chrome had dimmed for some,
for me it was just getting shinier.....and the rides just kept getting better.
Scripture tells us we cannot serve God and man. I tried, had more than one
girl tell me I liked my bike better than them. But the balance of God and
things interfered with my walk in Christ.When John ends his letter called 1
John, in which he talks about love and our love for others, based on Jesus’ love
for us, he ends the book by saying “keep yourself from idols.” He didn’t say
keep yourself from riding, or money, or nice things, he said idols. Today he
could of said cars, motorcycles, clothes, jobs, or houses, as many have gone
into debt to own one of them,with the thing ending up owning them. Just because
your FICO score says you can, doesn’t mean you should, and the joy of having is
soon ruined. Back then they had many idols or gods, Narcissus the god who fell
in love with himself, Bacchus the god of wine, woman, and song. Venus the
goddess of love, look out for Hollywood, Apollo the god of physical beauty, and
Minerva, the goddess of science. Many names for the same god of all about me,
all things that have the ability to hurt or destroy us. To get between the real
God, to enslave us to our own selfish desires. Remember it is the love of money
not just money that is sinful, and today’s icons and idols come in many shapes,
and sizes. Doesn’t scripture point out the greatest love is dying for a friend,
didn’t Jesus call us his friends if we keep his commandments? What brings you
joy, makes you happy, gets you excited? What are your dreams, what are you
saving up for? Are any of these things as important as Jesus in your life? Are
there any of these things you can take with you when you die? Are any of these
things able to set you free, to rescue you from sin? To forgive you, to love
you as you are and set you free?
God has set you free so you can enjoy the type of life he has for you. I
know guys who claim as long as they can keep up the payments, they can have
anything they want, then a crisis hits and the things they valued cannot rescue
them. The debt goes on despite your job or health, your marriage or divorce.
Only Jesus will never desert you, so maybe it is important that John signs off
with this warning. Keep yourself form idols. They were the downfall of the
Jews, the downfall of the Greek philosophers, and the downfall of man today.
Instead we read that we should be satisfied with what we have. And not covet
anything that doesn’t come from God. But you say, there were no motorcycles
then, no payment plans, no BMW’s to covet. In case you haven’t noticed sin
hasn’t changed, but it will change us. But so will Jesus if given the chance.
So what happened to my pride and prize R90S? Traded it to a girl, for cash and
a TX500 Yamaha. Never heard of one, most people hadn’t. It was a humbling
experience, but I rather be humbled than humiliated. The shine of the chrome had
faded, allowing the light of Jesus to shine even brighter. I still love to ride
and we are down to four motorcycles now. God knows my passion to ride, and when
he is the desire of our hearts, he will give us the desire of our hearts. But
he is above all else. And the testing will continue, a 790 Duke 20% below
dealer cost, and any Triumph I want at dealer cost. I bet I can even find
someone to finance my greed, but not at the price that comes with it. What do
you consider supremely important? No wonder John closes with this warning, and
I will too. Keep yourself from idols. For I have seen the chrome...and chosen
Jesus instead. May we all ride so long and so well...remember who holds the
lien really owns the bike.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com