I can stare at early 80s-era BMX magazine photos like this all day long.
Back in the day I used to dream of getting the full-factory ride like all the legends that filled the pages of BMX Action and BMX Plus.
Two of the “factory hot shots” of the time were Jeff Bottema and Toby Henderson.
Here they are, looking as factory as can be, getting some serious boost and tucking in behind the seat for extra style points.
Classic BMX goodness.
In a key plot point in the movie Rad, Cru Jones makes the life-changing decision to postpone taking his SATs to take part in the big race at Helltrack. He does it because he thinks he’s got a chance at winning against all the “factory hot shots”.
Did he make the right choice?
It seemed like the right idea at the time. Factory BMX racers seemed to have it all back in the 80s. Driving Porsches, international travel, BMX Action magazine covers…you name it. They were living the high life.
Winning the big race would be Cru’s ticket to living the dream.
But today? I’m not so sure skipping the SATs would’ve been the right choice.
Check out the check that Denzel Stein, Redline factory hotshot, is holding for a recent win…$1400.
Compare this with the check that Team Kachinsky (Brian Kachinsky, Corey Martinez, Sean Sexton and Will Stroud) is holding after a win at the recent Nike 6.0 contest…$14,000. (Sure it’s split 4 ways…but c’mon that’s a much sweeter payday.)
Today, he probably would’ve been wise to skip the race altogether and focus on perfecting his bicycle boogie skills.
cruiser revolution 
