A new competitive BMX racing team was formed and superstar freestyle riders Dave Mirra and Ryan Nyquist were signed by Haro soon after. Within one year, key management positions were filled and a new dealer base was established. With its new independence, and with Jim leading the company as its President, the company re-established its focus on Bob Haro's original vision and began a rebuilding process that followed a sharp decline in the BMX market dating back to 1988. In 1993, the company was sold again, this time to a group of investors headed by Jim Ford, a Vice President at Haro Bikes since 1981. At the end of five years, Bob left Haro Bikes and started a graphic design company. In 1988, Bob Haro sold the company to a bigger bike company and agreed to a five-year consulting contract that provided continuing product innovation and a premium image for the brand. In 1987, the "Master" was made over to reduce the cost of the 1986 model. The 1986 "Master" in team issue neon green with all original components has become highly collectible. In 1986, Haro's design of the "Master" was at its climax with what is typically regarded as its most beautiful form with uniquely designed Haro Group 1 components, paint over chrome frame and forks, and uniquely designed flip-up pegs. Media attention quickly put Haro Bikes in the spotlight as an industry leader with a bicycle line focused on the high end "Master" and more moderate "Sport". These riders won nearly every title there was in both BMX and freestyle. Īlthough injuries forced Haro to relinquish his riding duties, Haro Bikes subsequently compiled a virtual "who's who" list of talented riders including Bob Morales, Mike Dominguez, Dennis McCoy, Ron Wilkerson, Mat Hoffman, Donovan Ritter, Marc McGlynn, Brian Blyther, Dave Nourie, Mike King, Pete Loncarevich, Tony "The Tiger" Murray, and many more.
In 1982, when Haro introduced his own line of racing bikes, his sponsorship by Torker and Max was terminated. The first Haro bikes were manufactured by Torker. As Haro was the most popular freestyle BMX bike at the time, it eclipsed GT in all categories especially in the number of bikes sold, number of sponsored freestyle riders and number of wins and trophies in competitions throughout the 80s and 90s. Osborn, not to mention other significant riders.ĭuring the 1980s GT struggled against Haro Bikes which dominated the freestyle BMX landscape and industry. It contracted the most popular Freestylers in the history of the sport: Mike Dominguez, Donovan Ritter, Marc McGlynn, Bryan Blyther, Dave Nourie, Matt Hoffman, Dennis Mccoy, Ron Wilkerson, Joe Johnson, Ryan Nyquist, Dave Mirra, Rick Moliterno, Bob Morales, Eddie Fiola, Rich Sigur, and R.L. It won the most first places and top honors more than any other bike team. Haro possessed the best Freestyle team, dominating the 80s, 90s and 2000s. However, because of Haro's huge profits from the Sport, GT's sales dwindled in comparison. During the 80s, GT became Haro's strongest competitor. As a result of Haro's huge success, companies like Hutch, Diamond Back, GT, Schwinn, Redline, Dyno, CW and Skyway modeled their own frame versions after Haro's designs. In 1984, the company added the FST to its product line-up for consumers with lower budgets.
In that year, its revenue greatly took off and it ignited a huge cult following. The Haro Sport and Master were the company's flagship bikes that sparked a revolution in bicycle design and imitation across the industry by other companies. Haro introduced its first successful line of Freestyle BMX bikes in 1983. Haro 1983 - 1988: Unique Bike Innovation Haro Bikes' most popular BMX/Freestyle models were the Master and the Sport. During this time, the company gained a reputa for developing innovative BMX and freestyle bikes and accessories. The company expanded its product line and established national and international distribution. As a result, Haro earned the title "The Father of Freestyle."ĭuring the early 1980s, the BMX boom continued. He travelled around the United States demonstrating radical trick-riding that had not been seen anywhere before. Haro Designs, as the company was first named, was formed in 1980 with headquarters in Torrance, California.Īs the company grew, Haro helped develop the sport of freestyle BMX. Demand for the plates quickly outgrew his one-man capacity. The company was founded in 1978 by Bob Haro, who began by producing number plates for BMX bikes in his home. 1.2 Haro 1983 - 1988: Unique Bike Innovation.
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