MEMBER PROFILE – APRIL 2009

Name: IAN (MACCA) McLAREN - OzHOG Assistant Director & Road Captain

Bike: 2009 Ultra

Motorcycling is in my blood. My Father had a bike when he got out of the Air Force just after WWII, he had a BSA 500 single for a couple of years, before he could afford a car. He and my mother courted on this bike, my mother carried a burn scar on her leg from getting too close to the pipe on one occasion. My cousin, Brian Hindle, was Australian National Road Racing Champion back in the 60Ãs and 70Ãs. My father-in-law had also been a speedway sidecar passenger during 50Ãs with Australian National Speedway champion Jack Walker.

My first bike was a Honda CT70 Mini Trail Bike, I was 21 when I bought it from my brother-in-law. It was great fun to ride around paddocks. I even had it modified and road registered, but soon discovered it was just too small to be riding around in traffic. Over the next 10 years, I rode a Honda CB125, followed by a CB360, followed by a GSX400 Suzuki.

I had always longed for a Harley, and was quite taken with the Fatboy. I bought tickets in the Muscular Dystrophy raffle every year hoping I might get lucky. Never did!

In 2006 my son James decided to buy a pre-loved Fatboy from Harley Heaven. I went in with him to have a look at it, and got hooked. I particularly wanted a Fatboy, but wanted the leather saddlebags on the Heritage Classic. Frank at HH convinced me to buy the Heritage, as it would cost me more to have the bags fitted to a Fatboy, than the cost of the Heritage, and in May of 2006, I rode away on a beautiful Vivid Black Heritage with white-wall tyres.

James and I went for a few rides together, father and son bonding and all that. But I wanted more. Having been given the free membership to Hog International and Ozhog, I decided to go along. My first ride was in June 2006, a mystery ride led by Hammr. We headed off through to Blackwood, Romsey and ended up at Clarkfield. This was a typical cold wet winters day, and riding through the hills it was freezing. It did not deter me, as I had felt completely at home with everyone on the ride. The number of people that made me feel welcome was unbelievable. While people come and go, the camaraderie of everyone has stayed the same. Ozhog people are good people, generous, and always ready to lend a hand if you have a problem.

While I was extremely happy with the Heritage, I soon longed for an Ultra, all those added features. Not having the finances to afford another bike, I continued to improve the Heritage with the usual chrome bits and pieces. In 2008, along with my wife Lesley and father Arnold, I attended the National Rally at Lennox Head. We called in to the local dealer at Balina to buy a t-shirt, and low and behold, they had a 2008 Vivid Black Ultra on the showroom floor. I jokingly said to Maverick I could see myself riding home on that bike. I strategically maneuvered Lesley in the direction of the Ultra and mentioned the same thing to her. She looked at the price and commented that it was not as expensive as she thought it might be. (One foot in the door). I asked her if we could work out a trade-in deal would she consider it?

She said that she had to be comfortable on it or it would be no good. I asked the dealer if we could sit on the bike, and after Les eased herself into the pillion "armchair", she commented on how comfortable it was compared to the Heritage. (Two feet in the door). We worked out a good deal and with a nod of her head, I drove away on a 2009 Vivid Black Ultra. (In like Flynn). In between the first visit to the dealer, and clinching the deal, he had sold the 2008 Ultra, but had a 2009 Vivid Black Ultra about to be delivered. Go in to buy a T-shirt, come out with a motorcycle, not bad! The bike was free, but the T Shirt cost me $35,000!

This would have to be the best bike I have ever ridden. It is so smooth on the road, it glides through corners like it is on rails. The 2009 Ultra frame is a vast improvement on previous models. With "she who must be obeyed" happy on the back seat, there is nothing like cruising down the road on a big V Twin.

Until next time, keep upright. Macca.

MEMBER PROFILE – ARCHIVE

2009
WINTER

Andrew

2009
SPRING

Rowdy

2009-10
SUMMER

Hammr

2010
AUTUMN

Patch

2010
WINTER

Roger

2009
JANUARY

Willie

2009
FEBRUARY

Lucky Phil

2009
MARCH

Steve Creek

2009
APRIL

Macca

2009
MAY

Iceman

2008
NOVEMBER

Neil Mc

2008
DECEMBER

Maxine