I took my 250 HS out for my first ride yesterday, I ride old british twin street bikes, and also road race an MGB, but the Penton was a fantastic experience unto itself. I can't believe how much power it makes. It is a blast to ride.
I spoke to a a couple of guys at the POG tent at Mid-Ohio, what a nice group of folks. I also appreciate the pleasant demeanor of folks here on the discussion board.
As a kid almost 40 years ago, I dreamed of owning and riding a dirt bike, The walls of my room were papered with ripped out pages of bikes from Cycle magazine- mostly RM Suzukis. In the early 80s, I owned a Bultaco Alpina that I rode once, and when the chain bunched up in the case and jammed, I thought the engine was seized, and I just gave it away- I was just a kid, and didn't know any better. A lot bikes and cars have passed thru my hands since then, some that people would regret selling. The only one I regretted letting slip was the Bultaco. By chance, the Penton fall into my lap in July. I am impressed with the bike, and I am looking forward to riding as often as I can. I will probably be looking for another 250 for my son in the near future.
Tom
Tom,
Loved reading your post, especially about you possibly needing another 250 for your son in the near future.
The first thought I had was to see if you have seen the John Penton movie which provides the history of the Penton Sportcycle as well as the life story of John Penton? Possibly you met John Penton at the POG tent at Mid-Ohio and picked up a copy of the movie at that time. The fact that you have a son and hope to get him involved as well is music to the ears of this Group, love seeing younger folks getting into the world of Penton :D Look forward to hearing more from you as well as your son in the future.
Being as you ride old British twin street bikes did you happen to attend the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club event this past weekend near Toronto, Ohio?
Paul
Paul-
Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure if I met Mr. Penton or not at Mid-O. I am located on the coast in NJ, so I don't make it to Ohio often. It is a long haul (although there were a lot of Pentons for sale at the Mid-O, so if I am still looking for a second bike, I will be headed there again).
Regarding my son, he is an admirer of the early Elsinore Hondas. I will be be drawing his attention to the Penton family for many reasons, not the least of it is the presence of dedicated enthusiasts such as yourself.
Tom
The Penton/KTM 250 is a much better bike than the (in my opinion) over rated El-Snore. The El-Snore was cheaper and lighter, in every other possible category, suspension, power, handling, durability, the Penton is much better. I think the reason the El-Snore has the reputation it does is because it was the best Japanese bike, which meant it was cheap so lots of people had experience riding one, where the Penton cost almost twice as much so far fewer rode one to know what it was like. In the end the El-Snore was not really cheaper because you had to spend as much on hop up parts as you did buying the bike to get it to the level of the stock Penton, Maico, CZ, Bultaco and Husky. I cant tell you how many times I have seen someone new to Vintage racing buy an El-Snore thinking it is the best bike, only to be disappointed and sell it one or two years later for a Penton/Husky/Maico/CZ/Bultaco.
Brian
Would agree with Brain since I rode the Japanese bikes back in early 70's in competition . Loved my 400 CZ, Love my Harescrambler more.
On the other side of the coin.... what someone may "desire or admire" from "days gone by" is often driven as much, or many times even more by nostalgia, instead of what machine might win a shoot out.
My first "woods machine" was a crudely modified black 1965 150cc Honda Dream, and lately I have gotten the bug to keep an eye out for one of those that some crazy person has removed the mufflers from and installed some trials universal knobbies on....and possibly welded a larger rear sprocket onto the stock job to gear the sucker down..:D
Just loved watching the flames coming out of those mufferless pipes as I cruised the dirt lanes around the nursery after dark.
My grandkids and son-in-law would die laughing if I showed up on my Dream for a trail ride...but I will tell you one thing, it had electric start and I could touch the ground with both feet, and possibly still could...:D
Paul
PS If I am lucky enough to find one that is modified like my original machine, as described above, I would be more than glad to locate and install a set of moon eyes on the battery cover and tool set cover to finish the job off !!!!
https://www.google.com/search?q=moon+eyes&biw=1024&bih=615&tbm=isch&imgil=ujp2HI57rcjulM%253A%253B-
I totally agree nostalgia or a personal connection to a particular bike is the most important thing for a lot of people Paul. My first new bike was an '82 Husky 125, before that all of my bikes were worn out hand-me-downs, and I was happy to have them. In about 2000 or so when I first heard of Vintage racing, the first thing that came to my mind was "Man, I'd love to have another one of those Husky 125s". Well, as much as I loved that bike, it was/is a really terrible bike. The chassis is standard 82 Husky so its excellent, but its way too heavy for a 125, the engine is horribly slow with a usable power spread of about 372 RPM between 11,000 and 11,372, and unreliable to top it all off. Even knowing all that, I found one on eBay in Detroit in Dec 2010, bought it, and drove all the way from Alabama to the north suburbs of Detroit to get it. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways.
There is not another bike I would have driven that far to get, because in spite of all its flaws I have a deep emotional connection to the bike, which is really what all this stuff is about.
Brian
Cool story Brian, thanks for sharing...:)
Paul
Hey Paul, I also had a Honda 350 SL all decked for the woods. Was plenty fast with 4.50 Cheng Shin on the rear. Was like wrestling a bear, sometimes was just along for the ride . At the time that was the best I could do . I had a friend who rode a tricked out 250 CZ at the time and they nicknamed my bike the Walnut Huller:D