Cannonball records used to be pretty cool. The trans-continental race was the thing of legend. Of folks doing the impossible with outdated technology, a half a pack of cigarettes, a full tank of gas, and some sunglasses while driving at night. All right, that was the Blues Brothers, but you get the idea.
The Cannonball was something that was positively mythical in its badassery. But that's become less true as the modern age has set in.
I've got one friend who's completed the journey, and I know of and have talked to, a few others who've taken records. Their achievements aren't anything to wag a finger at, but I can't say that they're records are as impressive as those completed back in the day given the level of technology allotted to them. I mean, imagine if Brock Yates had long-distance fuel tanks, night vision, chase planes, advanced radar detectors, spotters, and countless other assists like Waze. It just wouldn't be the same, now would it?
Now imagine it being done by a motorcycle back in the day. Say, something like a late-50s BMW. One of the first in the country. Well, that's exactly what occurred when one intrepid dealer sought to shine the proverbial light on the reliability of BMW's motorcycles and complete the Cannonball Run on an almost bone-stock bike.
In retelling of the brand's history here in the U.S., BMW stated "Initially, [the trading company] Butler & Smith would handle operations on the East Coast, with West Coast distribution delegated to the Flanders Company of Pasadena, California. In 1969, Butler & Smith took over distribution for the entire U.S., and in May 1970 established a new headquarters and import center in Norwood, New Jersey. Even prior to that move, Butler & Smith had ensured that BMW built motorcycles suited to the needs and tastes of U.S. riders, most of whom used bikes like the R 50 and R 69 for long-distance touring."
And here's where the fun begins.
According to BMW, prior to BMW's U.S. invasion, one dealership from Ohio took a stock 1958 BMW R 69, which has more cafe racer/cruiser vibes, and set out to prove the brand's reliability. A motorcycle racer by trade, John Penton—who would later go on to ride a "factory-backed R 27 single in the 1962 International Six Days Trial, winning a silver medal despite a few bad crashes"—set off from New York and pointed his motorcycle's front tire at Los Angeles. And after 52 hours and 11 minutes, both he and the 600cc motorcycle crossed the finish line. The only modification he made? A slightly larger gas tank.
BMW would later use Penton and his BMW as part of the company's stateside marketing. But what's sorta heart-breaking about the story, one that BMW didn't talk about, was the reason why Penton did the whole thing.
According to an interview with Penton before he passed with Motorcycle Classics, "In 1958 I was a mixed-up guy. My wife had just died; I was left with three boys. I was kind of confused. My sister took in one son, and my brothers each took one. My brother Ted told me to just go ride, so I went on a 12,000 mile ride ending up in Mexico. When it was time to come home to Amherst [Ohio] I rode straight through from Mexico. When I got home my brother said that since I did that ride I should go for the coast to coast record [Then held by Cannonball Baker]."
So yeah, Penton wasn't unlike most of us who've used motorcycling, or really any powersports, as therapy at times. I know I have.
He did tell the outlet that if he'd chosen any other motorcycle brand, it wouldn't have happened, though. " Anything else I’d be kidding myself," he said, adding, "It was a modern motorcycle. It was an absolutely stock motorcycle. If I rode a Harley I would have had to use a support vehicle. Any other brand I would have to carry a bucket of oil, chains and spare parts."
I do wonder if you could take a modern R 1300 GS and beat Penton's time? I don't think I'd try myself, nor do I think it's a great idea in general. Too many cars, too many cops, too many people looking at their phones or hoping FSD will drive for them. But still, the allure of the OG Cannonball is there. And it seems, at least to me, that motorcycles are still the thread that binds the past and present.
