Anyone else think BMX helps with moto?

ginger969
Profile picture for user ginger969
Posts
935
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Boise, ID US
ginger969
I've been trying to get back into the bmx side of things lately and am stoked at how fun it is and think it helps with being smoother on a moto a bit too! We'll see haha

|
ginger969
Profile picture for user ginger969
Posts
935
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Boise, ID US
ginger969 12/1/2016 10:25am
12/1/2016 10:25am
SmoothOperator wrote:
I ride bmx tracks for training. Riding road just bores me.
Yeah dude, we have a track here at that same park in the video and that is a WORKOUT ha heart rate so jacked
57F1VE
Profile picture for user 57F1VE
Posts
82
Joined
1/12/2010
Location
PA US
57F1VE 12/1/2016 10:28am
12/1/2016 10:28am
It absolutely does, especially if someone switches from one to another. I raced BMX pro, came to MX. I notice timing, soaking up jumps, and getting through rollers are a lot easier
FLmxer
Profile picture for user FLmxer
Posts
6938
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
SouthWest, FL US
Fantasy
905th
FLmxer 12/1/2016 10:33am
12/1/2016 10:33am
We rode dirtbikes all day and then bmx at night my whole childhood. They helped each other and kept us sharp and in shape. I have had all my worst concussions on bicycles though.
1

The Shop

See All »
kott0n
Profile picture for user kott0n
Posts
674
Joined
10/4/2016
Location
Vancouver, WA US
Fantasy
3779th
kott0n 12/1/2016 10:37am
12/1/2016 10:37am
FLmxer wrote:
We rode dirtbikes all day and then bmx at night my whole childhood. They helped each other and kept us sharp and in shape. I have...
We rode dirtbikes all day and then bmx at night my whole childhood. They helped each other and kept us sharp and in shape. I have had all my worst concussions on bicycles though.
This. They for sure go hand in hand. I can agree on the concussions also.

Probably didn't help we didn't wear helmets back then.
ACBraap
Profile picture for user ACBraap
Posts
992
Joined
2/10/2012
Location
Seattlish, WA US
Fantasy
564th
ACBraap 12/1/2016 11:24am
12/1/2016 11:24am
It seemed to work pretty well for McGrath.

BMX is the best sport for young kids IMO. Leaves the door open for so many other things later. McGrath to moto, Tomac to MTB, Cavendish to road, for example.
Stuntman949
Profile picture for user Stuntman949
Posts
2849
Joined
11/10/2015
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Stuntman949 12/1/2016 11:31am
12/1/2016 11:31am Edited Date/Time 12/1/2016 11:40am
Yes I believe so. There's certain things I do on the motorcycle I wouldnt do without bmx. I certainly feel a lot looser in the air than my riding buddies too.
hvaughn88
Profile picture for user hvaughn88
Posts
8363
Joined
6/19/2013
Location
Conway, AR US
hvaughn88 12/1/2016 11:32am
12/1/2016 11:32am Edited Date/Time 12/1/2016 11:33am
ACBraap wrote:
It seemed to work pretty well for McGrath. BMX is the best sport for young kids IMO. Leaves the door open for so many other things...
It seemed to work pretty well for McGrath.

BMX is the best sport for young kids IMO. Leaves the door open for so many other things later. McGrath to moto, Tomac to MTB, Cavendish to road, for example.
I agree. My sons and I just got started this past year and are absolutely loving it. I've raced all kinds of two wheels over the years (moto, mountain bike, road bike, crits) and BMX has been my favorite of all so far. It's kind of like the feel of racing moto but with an incredible amount of track time. I love riding my mountain bike, but the racing got stale. Road bikes were a little boring to me and the cars sketch me out a little bit. BMX, at least for us, is like the cheap, accessible, laid back version of moto. I'm not naive enough to think that we won't see the ugly sides of it the more serious we get (much like every sport), but damn we are having a good time.
Phillip_Lamb
Profile picture for user Phillip_Lamb
Posts
1924
Joined
12/14/2010
Location
ORANGEVALE, CA US
Fantasy
2362nd
Phillip_Lamb 12/1/2016 11:58am
12/1/2016 11:58am
the turns jumps and hard sprinting are more relatable to MX than just pedaling on a road bike. You have to use a natural 'attack' position like on a dirt bike.

the quick sprints will do as much for your endurance as a long road ride. plus a road bike will put strain on your lower back and on muscles you dont use for mx.
500guy
Profile picture for user 500guy
Posts
12478
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
AZ US
500guy 12/1/2016 12:01pm
12/1/2016 12:01pm
to many variations of BMX, when I think BMX I think racing at a track not screwing around at a skate park.
GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35700
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
Fantasy
1215th
GuyB 12/1/2016 12:29pm
12/1/2016 12:29pm
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading terrain and understanding the limits of traction.

Progression would be:
Striders
BMX
MX

BMX for sure keeps you sharp, but the biggest difference is when it comes to jumping. BMX is all about setting your speed and coasting over the jumps. MX is all about accelerating off the faces of jumps.

I'd love to find a pump track nearby to ride on...more likely on a cruiser than a 20-inch. To hop on one of the small bikes these days feels like riding a unicycle with a trailer attached.
JM485
Profile picture for user JM485
Posts
5407
Joined
10/1/2013
Location
Davis, CA US
JM485 12/1/2016 12:32pm
12/1/2016 12:32pm
500guy wrote:
to many variations of BMX, when I think BMX I think racing at a track not screwing around at a skate park.
There's a lot of variations but all of them help. I ride my BMX almost every day and just the way you manipulate the bike through the air and pump around bowls can easily translate over. Same as just doing a simple manual, that can help you wheelie through rollers and pump through to gain more speed. I like riding dirt jumps the most by far though, and that helps with jumping a moto bike because you don't have a throttle to rely on as a safety net, it's all body position and timing. Not to mention just flowing through the air and hitting your landings makes jumps on a motocross track seem really mellow in comparison.
RandyS
Profile picture for user RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
RandyS 12/1/2016 12:37pm
12/1/2016 12:37pm
I'm not sure how much it does going from MX to BMX and back for an adult, but BMX to MX it certainly does. I started with MX at 7 and then BMX at 13, still rode some but was mostly BMX until about 25/26 when I went back to MX being the main focus. When I came back I was doing things that McGrath would come along a few years later and do just nowhere near as good. Most of the people I rode with were BMXers and all of us rode differently than the MXers of the late 80s. BMX is a different sport now than it was 30 years ago but I would say a kid will pick up things in BMX that they will bring with them to MX for sure. Adults probably not as much but it won't hurt.
Ted722
Profile picture for user Ted722
Posts
4487
Joined
9/21/2011
Location
Sacramento, CA US
Ted722 12/1/2016 12:47pm
12/1/2016 12:47pm Edited Date/Time 12/1/2016 1:10pm
I remember Despain highlighting it. That double McGrath mastered before the finish line at the '93 San Diego Supercross was so BMX inspired by Showtime.

Start it about 13:00...

RandyS
Profile picture for user RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
RandyS 12/1/2016 12:50pm
12/1/2016 12:50pm Edited Date/Time 12/1/2016 12:54pm
GuyB wrote:
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading...
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading terrain and understanding the limits of traction.

Progression would be:
Striders
BMX
MX

BMX for sure keeps you sharp, but the biggest difference is when it comes to jumping. BMX is all about setting your speed and coasting over the jumps. MX is all about accelerating off the faces of jumps.

I'd love to find a pump track nearby to ride on...more likely on a cruiser than a 20-inch. To hop on one of the small bikes these days feels like riding a unicycle with a trailer attached.
24" isn't much difference especially with todays geometry, get a 26" dirt jumper. Feels more like the 20s we rode than one of todays 24s does.
RandyS
Profile picture for user RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
RandyS 12/1/2016 12:58pm
12/1/2016 12:58pm
Come to think of it for an adult a 26" dirt jumper and a good pump track or trails will probably help more than being clipped in on a perfectly manicured BMX track.
cable
Profile picture for user cable
Posts
1184
Joined
6/11/2008
Location
Rockford, MI US
cable 12/1/2016 1:42pm
12/1/2016 1:42pm
the old guys around here race a xl 20" extended version.

Pit Row

See All »
SmoothOperator 12/1/2016 2:01pm
12/1/2016 2:01pm
cable wrote:
the old guys around here race a xl 20" extended version.
I have a 20xl, 24, and 26. For bmx tracks, much prefer the 20xl. For just goofing off, or dirt jumps, or trail sessions, I'll ride the 26. The 24 doesn't get touched much.
ginger969
Profile picture for user ginger969
Posts
935
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Boise, ID US
ginger969 12/1/2016 7:09pm
12/1/2016 7:09pm
500guy wrote:
to many variations of BMX, when I think BMX I think racing at a track not screwing around at a skate park.
haha all in good fun tho Smile
ginger969
Profile picture for user ginger969
Posts
935
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Boise, ID US
ginger969 12/1/2016 7:10pm
12/1/2016 7:10pm
GuyB wrote:
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading...
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading terrain and understanding the limits of traction.

Progression would be:
Striders
BMX
MX

BMX for sure keeps you sharp, but the biggest difference is when it comes to jumping. BMX is all about setting your speed and coasting over the jumps. MX is all about accelerating off the faces of jumps.

I'd love to find a pump track nearby to ride on...more likely on a cruiser than a 20-inch. To hop on one of the small bikes these days feels like riding a unicycle with a trailer attached.
be a great warm up to do a few pump lap sessions before hittin the track haha
loftyair
Profile picture for user loftyair
Posts
2769
Joined
7/3/2009
Location
riverside, CA US
loftyair 12/1/2016 7:21pm
12/1/2016 7:21pm
Those new s&m 22" look like fun!
dedi684
Profile picture for user dedi684
Posts
1355
Joined
8/21/2009
Location
Ravena, NY US
dedi684 12/1/2016 7:26pm
12/1/2016 7:26pm
loftyair wrote:
Those new s&m 22" look like fun!
I've been really wanting one bad. I hate my 24 but it rides good for putting around with my kid. Got a couple xl frames to build and can't stand my mtn bike. Lol
RandyS
Profile picture for user RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
RandyS 12/1/2016 7:26pm
12/1/2016 7:26pm
cable wrote:
the old guys around here race a xl 20" extended version.
SmoothOperator wrote:
I have a 20xl, 24, and 26. For bmx tracks, much prefer the 20xl. For just goofing off, or dirt jumps, or trail sessions, I'll ride...
I have a 20xl, 24, and 26. For bmx tracks, much prefer the 20xl. For just goofing off, or dirt jumps, or trail sessions, I'll ride the 26. The 24 doesn't get touched much.
I have a Mongoose Reynolds 20" from the early 2000s, I've tried to ride newer frames and hated them. Every few years I'll decide I need a 24, the last time I built about $1,500 worth of a Haro and came to the same conclusion I have every other time. Hated them in the 80s, still hate em. I have a Black Market Mob that I bought used from a friend for $500 a couple of years ago, haven't put a dime into it since and love it.
RandyS
Profile picture for user RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
RandyS 12/1/2016 7:28pm
12/1/2016 7:28pm
loftyair wrote:
Those new s&m 22" look like fun!
22 should have been the larger rider bike back in the 80s, a few people tried it but it never got traction. The perfect size.
brocster
Profile picture for user brocster
Posts
3610
Joined
6/9/2009
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
brocster 12/1/2016 7:46pm
12/1/2016 7:46pm
To answer your question. Yes it definitely does in so many ways. Timing and accuracy mostly is what I find as well as comfort in the air.

I have been riding a modern 20" park bike with a 21" top tube for the last few years but always find myself wanting a longer rear end of the old days and less head tube angle. Looking to get FBM to build me a custom frame soon.
Just yesterday I almost pulled the trigger on a S&M 22" as I hear they are the perfect bike. I may give that a whirl before the custom frame.

500, yes bmx "proper" is indeed racing but every skill from racing is utilized while "screwing" around at a skatepark.
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7358
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
2361st
CarlinoJoeVideo 12/1/2016 8:06pm
12/1/2016 8:06pm
GuyB wrote:
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading...
I'd recommend BMX as a starting place for anyone with kid who wanted to get into moto. They learn about starting, stopping, getting over obstacles, reading terrain and understanding the limits of traction.

Progression would be:
Striders
BMX
MX

BMX for sure keeps you sharp, but the biggest difference is when it comes to jumping. BMX is all about setting your speed and coasting over the jumps. MX is all about accelerating off the faces of jumps.

I'd love to find a pump track nearby to ride on...more likely on a cruiser than a 20-inch. To hop on one of the small bikes these days feels like riding a unicycle with a trailer attached.
What do you think about the 22in BMX trend? I felt like it had some momentum a few years ago but now, not so much?
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7358
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
2361st
CarlinoJoeVideo 12/1/2016 8:11pm
12/1/2016 8:11pm
If you are interested in custom size frames. Hit up Big Dave at http://pedaldrivencycles.com

He's and OG BMX frame builder. I worked with him when I was in high school making Spooky cycles. We did the original Terrible One frames, Kink, Van Homan's schiwnn frames. He then went on to FBM until he started his own custom company.

I'm think about about going to the 22in.
1
kzizok
Profile picture for user kzizok
Posts
8393
Joined
10/19/2010
Location
AS US
Fantasy
2068th
kzizok 12/1/2016 8:11pm
12/1/2016 8:11pm
Is it en vouge not to wear helmets? Just an honest question with nothing implied nor explicitly intended.
ginger969
Profile picture for user ginger969
Posts
935
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Boise, ID US
ginger969 12/1/2016 8:15pm
12/1/2016 8:15pm
kzizok wrote:
Is it en vouge not to wear helmets? Just an honest question with nothing implied nor explicitly intended.
I usually do wear a helmet and actually arrived at this little impromptu edit and realized I forgot to grab it :/ woops!

Post a reply to: Anyone else think BMX helps with moto?