Retro Articles - Burner
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The Story of
the Burner
Raleigh’s BURNER BMX range was first launched in 1982, starting out with 5 models, the bikes were an instant success amongst the kids, the blockbuster film ET featured BMX heavily in its storyline, making a BMX the top of that years Christmas list.
In 1983 the BURNER range exploded to 15 models, with several colour options on some bikes.
1983 also saw the introduction of the AERO PRO BURNER, a high end, lightweight race machine built with some of the best components available in its day. Built around a deep chrome finish Japanese made Tange frame/fork, the AERO PRO was a hit with BMX racers around the country. Tested in July 1983 by “BMX ACTION BIKE” the #1 UK BMX magazine, it wrote “Serious riders should definitely consider this, a cro-mo contender for the hall of fame”
The bike also went on to win BMX BI-Weekly magazines “Bike of the year” award, cementing the bike on being one of the best available at the time.
1984; with over 500,000 BURNERS sold in the first two years, the BURNER had proven to be the most successful BMX ever.
'84 was also the year the MK2 BURNER was introduced with 13 new models; the frames were built using Raleigh’s new Oval Competition shaped tubes which mimicked the AERO PRO’s looks, at a fraction of the price. The bikes were built using a new geometry suited for taller BMXer’s, also making the bikes retain their stiff, light & fast feel.
1985-86; Raleigh shakes up the BMX world by signing the UK’s #1 racer & freestyler Andy Ruffell to the team, also during 85, team rider Craig Schofield took the world #1 title in Whistler Canada & the Raleigh team went on to dominate UK BMX for another year.
Also available for the first time as a complete bike in 1985, the Team Aero Pro also sat alongside a special Andy Ruffell signature edition bike based on an Oval Competition shaped tube frame, a bike with team looks at everyday pricing.This range continued through to 1986.
1987 saw mainstream BMX die off with the mass introduction of MTB’s, Raleigh saw this as the next phase for the youngsters who had originally been bitten by BMX.