There is a very good chance that a few years from now we will look back and
find out we were living in the golden age of motorcycling. Never before have so
many great bikes, from so many manufacturers been available, and at prices we
may never see again. Without a doubt, every brand has dealerships overloaded
with inventory, some over three years old, that are priced to move, and with
financing available to move them. Want to have a large touring bike, the new
Gold Wing will take you, as will the dresser Harleys and Indians, Yamahas, and
BMW’s. Want to go fast, how about a quarter mile in the tens? The nines?
Adventure bikes in the 11s. Want a full on race bike, S1000RR from BMW or the
Yamaha R1 are race ready, as are various models of Ducati. Only have a few
thousand to spend, Honda and Yamaha have a whole fleet of bikes under $10 grand,
with some as low as $5000. Entry level bikes with performance of the bigger
bikes of only a few years ago, retro bikes with modern features like Triumph and
Indian, KTM will take you from the track to the street in one swift move, and a
2005 Suzuki GSXR1000 reincarnated as a standard selling for under $9000. And
that is the new bike side of it, talk about used....but why when you can ride a
new one so cheap?
Years ago it was expensive leathers, now textile jackets in many colors
with body armor. Boots, gloves, and helmets to match. You can have the look
even if you cannot ride. Accessories from headers to computer tunes to add
horsepower, adding it to adapt to your riding style, or to add miles to your
tank. Chrome, high performance tires only found on race bikes previously,
touring tires that get over 12,000 and stick like race tires, Ohlins shocks, and
the list goes on. Spend a little or spend a lot, no matter your budget, this is
the time to ride. As if there hasn’t ever been a time not to.
But yet the inventory is not moving, manufacturers are offering $100-2000
rebates, 0% financing, and free accessories. Where are the new riders, to
replace those of us aging in years and miles ridden? How can such great deals
on such a great sport be passed over? Sadly we never know what we have until it
is gone, so go out, get a new bike, and add miles to your life, while
subtracting years. Or we can be like the townsfolk the Lone Ranger helped,
“sorry we never knew you.” Quite honestly, years from now will your grandkids
want to hear what a great crabgrass free yard you had, or the places you rode
and the bikes you rode on? “let me tell you about my minivan or SUV,” will
never fill the conversations around the campfires, tales of how far your hybrid
went will not impress, and who but the few who are born to lose brag about their
Prius? Kawasaki lets the good times roll, not Toyota. You meet the nicest
people on a Honda motorcycle, not Honda car. And like the ad says, “ I didn’t
know BMW made cars until I passed one.” What are you missing out on and passing
on? If you have read this far and just have to go out and ride, you get it. For
the rest of you, there is still time....don’t delay!
If I were to organize a campaign against Christians, I would make it an
easy one. Just get them to wait, to delay, to tarry. To do tomorrow what could
have been done today. Make them doubt the claims of Jesus, question the
authority of the Bible, the accuracy of scripture, and mire them in religion.
Get them debating against each other, rather than uniting in the spirit. Do
anything to keep them guessing, and here you have Satan’s plan put simple. In
baseball whether you swing and miss, or it is a called third strike, you still
strike out. Yet many churches today are like Babe Ruth, they hit a lot of home
runs, but also strike out a lot. But still draw a crowd like the Babe did
wherever he went. But yet in the crowds are people, you and me. Maybe we need
to ask why we go to church, why we are Christians, and where is Jesus in our
lives? Babe is remembered more for his home runs than his striking out, but
rarely if ever remembered as an All Star pitcher. How you remember Jesus will
impact your world, and your life. Yet too many churches are filled with people
going nowhere like the new bikes in the showroom, missing the Golden Age of
being a Christian. Which is every age! And we all can participate!
Jesus tells us that someday all Christians will be absent from the body and
at home with him in heaven. Yet many are absent of the spirit and leave home
every morning without him. Missing the day’s blessings, and neglecting to share
him with a lost and dying world. Being a witness for Christ takes on many
arenas, just as Paul said he became all things so all men might hear the
gospel. Not all will hear the message at church, but we all work, we all shop,
we all play on weekends, and we all have people we meet with on a regular
basis. The audience is there, the message is there, and the spirit is willing?
Where are you? Better yet, where were you when someone told you about Jesus?
The glory of God is made evident through his people in his love. Not winning
arguments, but in love putting them and their problems before us. The glory of
the Lord is what grips our heart, forgives us, changes us, and encourages us to
share his love with others. When we get it that God loves us as much as he
loves Jesus, we can love ourselves and love others. Enjoying his love today,
why would you want to put off his love and joy until tomorrow?
This is the Golden Age of life for the living. For the riding. For
knowing Jesus. Why be stuck inside when you can be out living? Put something
exciting between your legs, get out and live Jesus, not just live for him. The
gospel is free so we can afford it, and easy so we can get it. Easier than even
the best deals out there for riding. Or you could be bragging about the
crabgrass free yard, how many times you read the Bible this year, or how you
never miss church. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. You
don’t know what you’re missing until you meet the Lord!
And so off I go on my new Street Triple R! In Christ!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com