Three of the first four motorcycles I ever owned were BMW’s. My first one
a 1972 R60/5, bought new at Malcolm Forbes dealership,where if you paid cash,
they paid the tax. $1600 of paper route money, and the proceeds from selling my
Honda 350, and I was riding. A bigger bike but with no more speed potential
than the Honda. But it said BMW on the tank...and it would be the first bike I
put 10,000 miles on, stopping at just over 14,000 after riding it to Florida
from Jersey, when a car made a turn from the right lane, and I was in the left.
Both bike and I were fixable, but with insurance money traded it off for the new
900cc BMW’s, at just under $3000 when $1875 would have bought a Z-1. But I was
hooked on BMW, and after healing up enough to ride without the cast on my left
wrist, it became my daily driver for four days. Sitting at a light, a drunk hit
me from behind, the last thing I remember laying in the ditch was 10ww10791, his
license plate number. I later that night woke up on a rotisserie in the ER,
unable to use my legs, which came back, but the pain and symptoms would last for
years. This time the 400 mile new BMW didn’t make it, anything rear of me on
the bike was crushed, including pushing the driveshaft into the engine. But I
was determined, and with my father’s urging, paid cash from the insurance money
and $3430 later, I owned the ultimate BMW, the 1974 R90S. In just a 90 day
period, I had totaled two BMW’s, paid cash for two new 900cc bikes, and ended up
with the R90S. Never in my wildest dreams.....but the BMW nightmare would
continue.
At 16,607 miles the Wildman was sitting on it, pushed the starter and the
engine came apart. So much for the ultimate motorcycle, but after having it
rebuilt by the importer, where someone had tried to steal the motor, I rode it
to New Mexico, and sold it to a girl, with 46,000 miles on it in two years.
Confined to lesser bikes for a year, I again succumbed to the sirens singing the
praise of BMW, who talked me into a 1977 R100S, which lasted for a year, until
you guessed it, both rods came off the crank. That was it, no more BMW’s for
me, between accidents and lousy quality I had had it. Sadly I missed them for
awhile, when they ran they were great bikes, but I had gotten used to getting to
where I was going, and BMW didn’t make it for me. So when people brag about
their BMW bikes, I have my story to tell, and I’m sticking by it. I’ve owned a
total of five, the allure is gone, but still I find myself cruising Craigslist
for a 1974 R90S, mostly in vain, seems the restorers have taken liberty in how
they were, 1974 was a unique year, and they have gotten too expensive. But for
just one more afternoon, on some nice back roads, with my AAA card in hand, I
would love to take one for a ride. Seems we can hide the scars, but still never
forget the injuries....
Now I never really bragged about owning BMW’s, like Pearl sang about making
amends because all her friends drove Porsches, all my friends rode Hondas or
Kawasakis. Out performed and over spent, I never really intended to one up
them, or be one upped either. I rode motorcycles, and the brand was secondary,
riding was first. But over the years motorcycling became more important than
the motorcycle, with all aspects of riding playing a part. With over one
million two wheeled miles behind me, I find motorcycling can be more fun than
just owning a motorcycle. When a man was bragging the other day about owning a
new Harley on the 96 month plan, I asked him where he had ridden it, or before
he had it. Ride it? He was an owner, and even he knew the difference, and if
his gas tank needed to be filled more than once a month, well you know the
story. But yet he could park among us and pretend to be one of us, until he
opened his mouth. He never got the freedom we find in riding, the excitement
of riding, or crossing time zones for lunch. Which reminds me of many church
folk who claim to have Jesus, having all the rights of being a Christian, yet
never experiencing him. Is it possible we can be rich in religion but poor in
Jesus?
Godliness with contentment is great gain, there I quoted 1Timothy 6:6. But
how many of us are really content in Christ? We say we trust God, but do are
actions follow our words? Or betray them. As I used to watch the rows of BMW’s
and Mercedes Benz line the first row at church, I wondered how many had fallen
into the trap of riches. Over dressed women, adorned in diamonds and gold, the
secret competition between other women not so secret. The men bragging always
on what they had accomplished, but very little of Jesus included. With one
instance of a man donating a huge sum of money publicly, but wishing to do it
anonymously. We are still part of a society that brags on us and the things we
have accumulated, but give little credit to God. Yet Jesus tells us to be
content, that Godliness is better, how many would take the risk? We even hear
money is the root of all evil, when the love of money, not money is. Being rich
is not a sin, but without Godliness, we all suffer, no matter our FICO score or
what we ride. Many wander from the faith and end up miserable because of this,
some to the point of making Jesus sick, throwing up the lukewarm. But Jesus
provides the antidote, being rich towards God. My Nana used to say once she had
money, she would give more to the church, but God asks for more than money.
Many tithe bitterly never getting the blessing, some think of giving only in
terms of money, never donating time or opening their home to guests. Based on
money alone, we are all poor givers, so God gives us other ways. Ways we cannot
brag about ourselves and are often unseen. But God sees them....and that is
what really counts. It is what comes out of a man that counts more than what
goes into him. Being rich towards God reflects the heart towards his creation,
man, and is manifest in the fruit of the spirit in our lives. And we won’t want
to love anonymously, but to give Jesus all the credit, as it says, “in all
things give him the preeminence.” All things, both BMW and other.
I find the more I rejoice in what he has given me the less I covet. I ride
in Christ rather than just belong to a church. I can embrace all aspects of
being a Christian based on what Jesus did and who he is, and not depending on
me. Looking back it sounded cool to say I rode a BMW, it was all about me. But
today telling others all about Jesus and how he changed my life has given my
life importance. Models change every year, he never does. The old air cooled
BMW’s went out of style, God’s love never does. Inflation changes the value of
our money, there is no price you can pay to have God love you more. Some wander
from the faith due to riches, some never embrace it. The man who dies with the
most toys doesn’t win, he still dies. I could brag I had three BMW’s in 90
days, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Embrace all God has given you
today, for the things seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal. And
if I have to explain, you probably wouldn’t understand....or ride a
motorcycle.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com