I am making this post to end all of the "best bike under 200$" topics. This is not just my suggestions, Please write your own choices as well.
OK, here we go...
0-200$ Mongoose mode 900 ($199). By far the best available option in this price range; features a Chromoly frame and most of the other parts are Chromoly too. Stay away from bikes with hi-ten frames as those are weaker and are made with cheap parts. Also stay away from all Mafia and Framed bikes
200-400$ Fit VH 1 ($399) This is Van Homans signature bike. It has a mostly Chromoly frame, Chromoly cranks, sealed bearing and very quality parts.
400-600$ Kink Liberty ($449) Full Chromoly everything. Great bike. Looks cool as well.
WTP Crysis ($599) I must say, everything WTP I have come across has been exceptional quality, same goes for this bike. Full Chromoly, and the other parts extremely good quality. I must say that this is a freecoaster. While I wouldn't recommend starting out with a freecoaster because it is harder, it is still a great bike if you can deal with that.
600$ and up BUILD YOUR OWN If you have the means to pay up to 1000 dollars for a custom bike, DO IT. It's what I did. The advantages to customizing on your own is that you can have the geometry fit your riding style, also you can have the bar height you like, crank size you like, and tire size you like. AND maybe the most important thing is that you can customize your look and colors to make your bike look exactly the way you want.
I would highly recommend getting advice on what to buy from someone who knows Bmx, and get them to check what you are buying before to make sure that all your parts are compatible with each other. Spend the most on a good frame, bars and forks as those are the bones of the bike, but make sure to save enough to get good quality parts for the rest of your bike. I recommend buying all of your parts off Dans comp. They have a HUGE selection of parts and you can usually get 15% off of 100+ which will save you a lot.
**PLEASE ADD YOUR OWN PICKS AND TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FIRST BIKE**
P.S these are just opinions, there are no right or wrong opinions. Please refrain for dissing other people picks unless they are absolutely stupid.
"Jason Bourne, its Jesus Christ"