Tailem Bend's Danny Ahern reflects on 35-year motorcycle journey
Tailem Bend local Danny Ahern is proof that passion fuels a well lived life, with decades of racing, restoring and community involvement.
As a 15-year-old, Danny Ahern of Tailem Bend clearly remembers intently listening to the results of all the GP Motorcycle races on a Monday morning.
His likeminded friends would chat at school, and they’d all have posters in their bedroom walls of racers like Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read, and Mike Hailwood, to name a few.
“We all loved chatting about Giacomo Agostini, he was a former Italian Grand Prix
motorcycle road racer who won 122 races and 15 world titles,” Mr Ahern said.
“He was impressive, he dominated the 350cc and 500cc classes for MV Agusta, Yamaha and the Suzuki team.”
“You know those posters have led me to a life of motorcycling and travelling the
world,” Mr Ahern explained.
Danny Ahern trying out Jay Sprinsteen’s Harley Davidson motorcycle at Barber Raceway, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; and getting one of his heroes, Giacomo Agostini to sign his motorcycle fairing at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. Photos: supplied/Danny Ahern
One of Mr Ahern’s most memorable moments was when he was racing in the USA at Barber Raceway with Kevin Schwantz and Jay Springsteen.
“Yeah, we shared pits over the weekend and those two, in one race, lapped me simultaneously one on each side, boy that was exhilarating,” Mr Ahern said.
“As was the following weeks racing on the heavily banked Daytona circuit.
"I am so lucky I don’t just have one highlight, I have bucket loads, memories – and they’re forever.”
The Daytona International Speedway is a track located in Daytona Beach, Florida -
since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the famous Daytona 500, the most
prestigious race in NASCAR.
Danny Ahern, Kevin Schwantz and his mate Brooksey at Barber Raceway, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; and Danny’s MV. Photos: supplied/Danny Ahern
After years of travelling and working in the building trades, Mr Ahern now calls Tailem Bend his home.
“I was getting to the end of my full-time working life, and it seemed that The Bend Raceway complex was becoming the real deal, so Tailem was extremely attractive to me,” Mr Ahern said.
“And it was an hour and a half closer to Mac Park where we race our historic bikes all the time.”
Mr Ahern now lives in his second house he has built in the region.
“My first house was a waterfront place at Wellington East - it was there that I made my first of many local friendships.”
Mr Ahern is an active member of the Tailem Bend Auto Club; “I think I’m club member 612 or something, boy it’s grown – I think it’s up to 723 members now."
“It’s great hanging with likeminded people, and I’m loving country living.”
Mr Ahern’s involvement with motorcycle sports has been a solid 35-year journey, having held numerous roles including President and Vice President of the Historic
Motorcycle Racing Register of SA.
“I’m so proud, a few years back I was awarded the Frank Franklin Award for services to motorcycling racing,” Mr Ahern mentioned.
In early 2025 Mr Ahern was awarded Life Membership to Motorcycling SA, which sits perfectly with his club life membership and numerous clubmen of year awards.
“Yeah, I must confess, as I hit my twilight years, things are a little different, but I still race six to eight meetings a year and continue to help in officialdom at numerous club events around SA,” Mr Ahern said.
“My mantra for life has always been the same simple message, what you put in you will get out – that’s worked brilliantly for me in my profession as a builder as much as it has with my motorcycle hobby.”
