New rider-picked up a red 99

I've been working on cars since i was a kid. I built the motor in my car (with my uncle's help) about 2 years ago. I just got my permit last week and picked up my red 99 with 13k yesterday (5-16). It's so much fun! I've wanted a bike for the past few years and i finally got it. Only problem is, i don't know anything about bikes. So here are my questions:

1. What is the best/most secure way to cord the bike?
2. Anything special i should know about as far as maintenance or things that are known to go bad?
3. Where can i get a solo seat cover?
4. Where can i find the proper suspension settings for my height and weight?
(5'10" and about 155. I do have long legs though)
5. Good brands for oil filter and oil?

I think that's pretty much it for right now. Any answers would be great. I've got a fiero and the community is nice to be a part of. Everyone is always so willing to help because you don't see them very often. I have a feeling being on this forum will be the same way. As i get more experienced i'll make sure i give back to the people there for me. Happy riding, be safe and i can't wait to see you guys at a meet. P.S. I'm in SoCal so any updates on gatherings etc would be awesome.

 

Welcome to the site and do a few searches here, tons and tons of information....

The main problem I've heard of is the Rectifier/regulator, I've not had a problem yet though...(knock on wood).

And be sure to GEAR UP.

 

Excellent site for advice on oil and filters...

Motorcycle Oil and Filters

I use the Shell Rotella T 5w-40 Full Syn and Ive had no problems with it. And its cheap too for full syn! Also picked up the Supertech filter at Walmart while I was there since it was also reccomended.

 

Welcome to VFRW! Where are you in SoCal?

 

The first rule of VFRWorld is...
Welcome aboard, tyler

 

welcome to the forum - check some of the older threads and site info stuff. welcome to the 5th Gen brotherhood.

 

thanks for all the responses guys. But i've got some bad news. I was hoping to get more of your wisdom since, like i said before, im officially 7 days into the motorcycle scene. Yesterday after work a few of us went into the back roads for a canyon run. I was taking it easy as this is only my second time. Towards the end of the run a friend passed me before a corner and layed his bike down. I was doing about 40, already started leaning a little and had no choice but to his my brakes. Of course i layed mine down too so the whole left side of my bike is cracked and messed up. As you can see by the pics i posted it was almost in perfect condion when i got it last week. Should i have insurance fix it with a $500 deductible and an accident on my record after only a week of riding? Or just do what i can to fix it and ride around with a messed up bike? I'll post pics of the damage tonight. My left footpeg broke, right light cover is in pieces, my left clutch lever and bar may be bent or just moved, not sure, and every piece on the left side is either cracked or scratched to hell. Any advice would be great. Nobody got seriously injured. My friend broke his pinky and got rash down to the bone on his knee. I got a small scratch on my hip where my jacket rode up but my leather jacket saved my arms for sure!

 

Sorry to hear about your misfortune ! Glad no one was seriously injured, my advice to you and your friend is to take it a little easier on the street. You are both very lucky to escape with little harm. A weekend at the track with instruction there is no substitute for but if finances do not alow it I would strongly recomend purchasing Keith codes book "twist of the wrist II" Read it from cover to cover ride and then read it again. After almost 15 years of riding with no instruction and feeling very confident with my skills I read this book, applied the tecniques and found out that I did not know squat about riding before this read, afterward I cant begin to tell you how much more more I was in control of my bike. As far as your ride if you are not going to total the bike out you are most likely better off fixing it yourself if you have the skills. I do have a left side straight bar end and som plastic that is not too damaged but needs some repair among other parts that I would be willing to part with very cheap. Make up a list of what you need, post it on this thread and I will reply with what I have. I am sure some of the other guys on here have some old stuff in the garage that can help get you on the road also. I might also help if you post some aftermath pics of the bike. Also+1 big time for wearing your gear!

 

i actually read that book about 1.5x already. i finished it a day before i got my bike last week. i know im a new rider, thats why i was taking it easier. my buddy is the one that slipped up. i just didnt want to risk hitting him so i went down too. i tried to post pics but they wouldnt upload. ill try again tomorrow. thanks for all the help. i think ill fix it myself and not call insurance. it wont be perfect but i cant complain. ill keep in touch. thanks again.

 

i have to agree it was a very good book. I was able to go into the twisties for the first time with a lot more confidence and knowledge than not reading at all. Made sure sure i kept the throttle rolled on, tried not to let my SR's get in the way etc... but what i couldn't do was avoid hitting the front brake too hard...which is why i laid it down. If i can remember right he actually talks about that. From memory the damage is a busted right headlight, left footpeg broke off, front fairing (is that spelled right) is cracked in a few places on the left side, inner fender well is messed up, rim in bent on the side a little, basically every piece of red is scratched or cracked on the left and my clutch lever is bent and my side mirror is gone. Like i said, i'll try and get pics up. I've got about 25 between my bike and his VTR1000 superhawk.

 

glad you're ok and safe.

 

thanks dude. i can live with the rasberry. My hip is still a little sore but not any more than if i just fell running or something. Where is SoCal are you at?

 

so i posted the pics in my member gallery. I also put one of my friends superhawk in there too. I think the pics pretty much summarize the damage. The only thing that might not pop out is my broken footpeg and scratch up hub for my rear wheel.

 

carson. ride weekends only, lucky if every weekend. pm me if you guys like to out for a ride.

 

pics

Damn! damage was more than what i expected. where'd it happen?

 

After seeing your damage it looks like all I have that you could use is a brand new left mirror still in the package and a straight left bar. You can have both of them together for the price of shipping(shouldent be more than 10-15 dollars to cali). Pm me with your mailing address and I will send them out!

 

it was on the 150 heading to the 33. We were going downhill when he slipped and his bike hit the guard rail. I didn't want to hit him so i had to him my brakes while already leaning into the corner a little. Just like from a twist of the wrist II, obviously my 40/60 weight balance wasn't present. It was probably closer to 70/30 or 80/20. What a bummer. I'll give a call for sure once i get my bike fixed. It still runs and shifts ok. She just doesn't look as good as she did before. I feel like i sat there and watched as my girlfriend got badly beaten. It's a terrible feeling...

 

my front forks are bent, that would expalin the exhaust leak and the lack of turning. My wheel is bent so far back its rubbing on my pipes. Every piece of plastic has some kind of damage also. The right side is cracked from the wheel hitting it and since the left side on the back is messed up the whole thing needs to be replaced. The headlamp assembly is also done. The plus side is my bar isn't bent, just my clutch lever. I loosened the bolts and just rotated it back to where it should be. Bike still starts and shifts fine. Keep the updates coming as i get them.

 

Re: ride

what a bummer man......