John Penton has always pushed barriers in the world of motorcycles.
Penton had a noteworthy career as a motorcycle rider. He started as a record setter in 1959 when he raised the bar of the transcontinental motorcycle speed. However, it was his work on the on the machine that took his career and sports to new heights. John Penton invented the lightweight, off-road dirt bike, and sparked exploration that led to innovations in motocross.
While at Vintage Bike Days at Mid-Ohio, Penton reflected upon the challenges of going against the current, until turning the tide of motorbiking and how he came to be an innovator, and an international distributor right here in Ohio.
An Ohioan hailing from Amherst, Penton made his name as an innovator of gear shifting, strong wheel rims, air cleaning for machines, and improvements in solid state ignition. Penton recalled the flaws of the old machinery. “When I started, all the bikes used the old point ignition,” he stated, “You could usually get them running.”
Penton had decided to do things differently. His redesigned motorcycle was significantly more lightweight, with different versions for off-road. Penton invented folding foot pegs. He also built a high breather frame that allows the air for the engine to be taken in through openings near the gas tank. This feature allowed Penton’s motorcycles cross streams as deep as the top of the engine and keep going.
However, the innovator was not without his share of challenges. When he first started, it was difficult to attain financing. And he wasn’t the only builder with room to grow. “Harley Davidson wasn’t where it is today when I started out,” Penton said. He would not be deterred. “The problem was, when I started to build, American banks just wouldn’t finance me. I financed over in Europe.”
Penton convinced the KTM factory in Mattighofen, Austria, which was much smaller than it is today, to build the machine he envisioned. KTM now owns the Penton line, and also produces in the United States.
His focus was on developing off-road models, and Penton discovered a positive market response. When his innovations collided with unmet demand, motorbiking branched out into a youth movement. The new generation of bikers became an important part of Penton’s demographic.
“This was good for parents, and they thanked me for this over the years,” Penton commented. “The developments, were different than before. This was a family sport.”
With additional versatility, Penton’s innovations took flight – almost literally. “[Penton motorcycles] can jump 300 feet in the air,” Penton said. “And due to the suspension, and I stressed lots of suspension, these bikers landed themselves into motocross.”
Penton joined the International “6 Days” events, and took tours through Europe. He and his bikes became known worldwide, for the light, versatile motorcycles. Bikers began to approach the machine’s capabilities in new ways and joined in a legacy that resonates today.
At the MidOhio event this weekend, twenty-four year old fan Ed Barth, of Canton, knew exactly who John Penton is. Barth owns a 1973 Penton motorbike. “He’s a superstar, still,” he said while waiting in line to speak to Penton. “Penton bikes are still selling across the nation, and worldwide.”
