BMX - Motorcycle enthusiast looking for first bike...

I don't have much experience with bicycles. I haven't owned one since I was a pre-teen kid. My wife has been pushing me to run with her, but I suggested bicyles instead since I love motorcycles. I don't want a goofy looking touring or race bike, and I have always loved watching bmx. Are bmx bikes something that you can only "stunt" around on, or are they good all-around bikes. Also, what should I look for in a bike? If it matters, I'm 25 years old, 200 pounds, and just under 6 feet tall. Please excuse my ignorance, and thanks for all feedback!

DH

If you just want to cruise the streets then id go with a 24'' bike, a 20'' may feel cramped if your just riding around, and sitting usually isn't all that comfortable. The 24 will still give you that bmx look and feel but better for comfort and cruising around.

If you just want to cruise the streets then id go with a 24'' bike, a 20'' may feel cramped if your just riding around, and sitting usually isn't all that comfortable. The 24 will still give you that bmx look and feel but better for comfort and cruising around.

And what benefit would a 20" give me? I assume you are refering to tire size.?. Also, can you recomend a few good entry level bikes for me? Thanks!

And what benefit would a 20" give me? I assume you are refering to tire size.?. Also, can you recomend a few good entry level bikes for me? Thanks!

The benefit of a 20'', Umm, Well if you like too be able to I guess... Jump, and stuff, Or bmx, a 20'' is great for a bigger person too throw around, and thats pretty much it, Like fuzzy said, If your just cruising and stuff, a 24'' would be great, a 20 would be cramped, espally when sitting. It all depends on what your doing.

Also when he says 20'', and 24'' Hes refering to 2 things, The tube lengh, and the tire size.

If you plan to do park you can still get a 24" I've seen some older guys there with em doing some crazy things.

http://www.macneilbmx.com/

You're a big guy and would silly cruising on a bmx bike. If you don't want a "goofy" road bike, look at mountain bikes or a beach cruiser.

man up and get a real bike if you just wanna cruise around

Mountain bike. BMX is not intended for general riding.

Yes it is, I ride my bmx bike everywhere, across the city.

It can be but it is dumb when you can go faster on a bigger bike

Yes it is, I ride my bmx bike everywhere, across the city.Yeah, but it's flat there :)

Seriously, the fact that you ride a BMX bike everywhere doesn't make it the right thing for a noob.

man up and get a real bike if you just wanna cruise around

That's just it though... I want it for exercise, but I want to be able screw around on it and pop wheelies, and pretty much be a kid again! I was hoping that a 24" would be able to do both.

Just get a 24" bmx bike and you will be happy.

Yeah, but it's flat there :)

Seriously, the fact that you ride a BMX bike everywhere doesn't make it the right thing for a noob.

Yeah, but what im trying to say is that its not really any harder.

Yeah, but what im trying to say is that its not really any harder.

I'd find the low seat or having to stand up all the time tiring, but I'm an old guy.

What kind of motorcycle do you ride? The answer to that may help us direct you to a type of bike you may like

I was hoping that a 24" would be able to do both. It could. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aeqDveKD5Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oiw91dxqu-4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvKViLZF5hM

What kind of motorcycle do you ride? The answer to that may help us direct you to a type of bike you may like
I don't think that would work with me! I love and ride all kinds of bikes (motorcycles, sorry old habit). I own a Harley-Davidson Dyna, but I really want to add a naked-sport bike like a Ducati monster, or Triunph Street/Speed Triple.

Put the SV650 on the list too :)

I would suggest getting a sporty hybrid instead of a BMX if you're going to get serious about riding (in terms of distance). I don't know how people put 20 miles on a BMX. That must be so uncomfortable.

Specialized Sirrus = sporty hybrid
or maybe if you just want to horse around on a bike, a fixed gear that can fit wider tires? You can ride backwards, etc and still ride with your wife.

With a BMX, I have a feeling you're going to have trouble keeping up with her.

That's just it though... I want it for exercise, but I want to be able screw around on it and pop wheelies, and pretty much be a kid again! I was hoping that a 24" would be able to do both.

If you want to cruise but still mess around and try some tricks then the 24'' is where its at. Wethepeople makes a nice one, i think volume does as well, and sunday is coming out with a frame and fork set i believe but it will probably be very expensive.

Triunph Street/Speed Triple. Now that's a wheelie machine :thumb:.


Wethepeople makes a nice one, The 08. Their 09 is not specked as nicely. IMHO the 09 FIT is the best value in a complete 24 I've seen. http://oldskoolcycles.com/Fit_CR_24.aspx

Are you looking for first bike or first race bike ?
If you are looking for your first race bike,then,BMX race bike is the one to go !

Put the SV650 on the list too :)

I would suggest getting a sporty hybrid instead of a BMX if you're going to get serious about riding (in terms of distance). I don't know how people put 20 miles on a BMX. That must be so uncomfortable.

Specialized Sirrus = sporty hybrid
or maybe if you just want to horse around on a bike, a fixed gear that can fit wider tires? You can ride backwards, etc and still ride with your wife.

With a BMX, I have a feeling you're going to have trouble keeping up with her.

That sounds like pretty good advice. She is in way better shape than me, and I have a feeling that I need all the speed I can get to keep up. Maybe we can both get BMX bikes, and I can remove her pedals, lol!

As far as the suzuki sv650 you mentioned... they discontinued it for a new ducati knockoff with cheaper running gear than the sv. It's called the "gladius". I haven't seen one in person or decided wether or not I like it. Sorry, I don't mean to turn this into a moto thread!