[megahyperion]

OK let me start this whole thread with this first.
I am 24, an experienced driver (car, I track race and auto-x sports cars) and hate broken bones, which means I dont "stunt" or want to, doing tricks on bikes looks cool but you would never catch my ass standing on one peg with the bike standing straight up and holding on with one hand.

Alright now let me tell you bout the bike.
I got an unbeatable deal on a 85 Ninja ZX900/GPX900
Picked it up for $500 but it needs new carbs, (well just one)

I rode my buddies 2k2 GSX-R 750 and managed to drive it pretty well for my first time ever driving a bike.

But then I sat on my 900 and it feels alot heavier just sitting on it and moving it around, its also more of a stretch for me and im 5'10".
Its just all around a bigger, heavier bike.

I figured cause its old and tired the 900cc motor is prob closer to a newer 750cc motor in power , but im kinda concerned about the weight.

So heres my question, is there any tips for riding a bike of this year and weight as basically my first bike ?

I would apreciate a few helpfull pointers if it will help to keep me safer.


thanks in advance

 

[ZX-2R]

First things

Sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Course, then get your insurance (or vice-versa) depending when you are going to ride it...Make sure you have GREAT tires not just tires. Practice all of your maneuvers on your bike over and over don't forget that there is two directions (Right and Left), Practice some more, stay forward in the saddle and hold the tank nicely between the knees. Practice stopping and then going without touching the ground (balance exercise). ALWAYS wear boots (military or whatever not short chuka boots, not tennis shoes), at least a denim (Leather prefered) jacket, and denim (heavy jeans several good brands out there), a Great fitting Helmet and FULL Fingered Gloves. At first when you are practicing you might want to increase the idle RPM's to 1,500-1,750, then later after you get used to it decrease it. Use good synthetic oil and ALWAYS change your oil Filter. Adjust your front brake and clutch levers so that they are comfortable in front of your hand and not "over the bar" when you reach for them. If your front brake is working real good (you will use it all of the time) get use to using two fingers on it if you can work it that way. It keeps the throttle available should you NEED to gun it and get out of a situation when you have already stopped or are attempting to stop and you HAVE to get out of the way...when you set at a light keep your distance from the stop line and ALWAYS put your bike in first and watch your mirrors and the light to make sure that the guy behind you is stopping...sometimes they just don't see you (REALLY!) Somebody else jump in here...

 

[megahyperion]

I dont know the brand of my tires but the tread on them looks great, almost new.

How do I adjust the levers? can you link me to some site that shows?

Also I fixed my clutch "it was real squishy and didnt disengage the clutch, so I bled it and topped it off and cleaned the slave. Now it is real nice and stiff and actually starts to work as you press the lever (not after you get half way into it). BUT now it gives hella cramps in my hand, I noticed the problem is that the lever hits a little low on the hand gripm below the center.
I noticed this when I was checking why the brake lever didnt cramp my hand.
The problem is that because it hangs low I can only get the tips of my fingers on it.
I think the bike fell over before I bought it , well I know it did there is a big dent in the gas tank on the left side, same side as clutch, but not scrapes in fairings and its all original paint scheme and color (dont worry I check frame its all striaght and good).
But I think thats why the lever hangs low, can I adjust it somehow? it seems a little loose, I can woble it up and down.


thanks for the tips, keep em rollin in.

 

[GPZBob]

You should be able to loosen the bolts that clamp the clutch master cylinder to the bar and rotate the cylinder to bring your lever up.

 

[shift1313]

for the levers. there might be a screw and nut that presses on the master cylinder. you can adjust this by loosening this lock nut and moving the screw out a bit. that will pull the lever closer to the bar and give you less of a reach to get to it. The bike is a good one but no modern 750 in any respect. the new 750s make more power then that bike

take everything that zx2r said to heart. the msf course will be your best thing and always be safe. Just because you dont want to stunt doesnt mean you cant get introuble if your not careful. learn the bike at slow speeds so you can learn how it reacts. this will help you out because alot of beginner crashes happen at slow speeds(minor) but they are confidence breakers.

good luck and have fun

 

[flyjetta]

while that might not be the greatest bike to learn on it's better than buying something newer.. if you can get used to having that much weight on a bike and ride it around you will be able to handle the lighter models much easier..

if you dump it, it won't take too much damage,
and if it does.. the worst you are out of is 500 bucks..


good luck with everything.. but for some reason I don't think you'll need it.. it seems like you have a good head on your shoulders..

get good gear.. don't make a good leather jacket and gloves an option.. make it a neccessity.. last year I wiped out and my jacket, gloves and helmet absorbed it all.. if it didn't.. I would have been a pretty bloody and painful situation.. especially since gravel was involved.. but I got up.. did a check on my body.. and didn't have anything wrong.. except now I had to buy a new helmet and my bike was scratched up..

have fun and be safe :wink:

 

[Dommer]

To get the wieght down give yourself tapeworms. That will bring the weight down for sure (j/k). Just take the safety course and learn on your old 900. As long as you know how to ride and arn't driving like a tard 90% of riding is watching out for old people in there 1970's Cadillacs with 10,000 miles.

If you don't feal comfortable on the bike at all then get rid of it, It's not like you spent thousands and are going to take a big hit.