Thundercat 600 - Any good?

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

£1500, 1996, 25,000 miles on clock

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2481191501

Bike looks mint, is this a good bike? Is it very heavy? Has anyone ever owned/ridden one? Cheers!

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

zak and danny have them, and seem to like them.

Its a yamaha, so expect rather poor build quality. Resists corrosion like a paper towel resists water.

About 90bhp, lots of mph, comfier than the other 600s, handles fine. Brake calipers need to be stripped and cleaned fairly regularly, or you'll have to buy 3 new ones a la zak.
Probably a similar choice overall to the ZZ-R 600, just different bits break, and it looks better. Tough engine.

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Karma :

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Looks good mate. A club racer in the opposite building to me has one and rates it. He commutes from Shrewsbury to Brum everyday in all weathers.

It's probably more suited to what you want to do, supposed to be a bit more sports tourer than outright sports. It's a five gear box with is supposed to make commuting and touring nice and easy.

Too be fair the build quality of Yamaha isn't too bad at all, personally I'd rate them second of the bike four after Honda of course!

An HPI check is also worth while as Craig says.

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

My friend has just bought a 2002 model and it was nice to ride. As Dainesefreak has said more sports tourer than sports, it has a more upright riding position.

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

Cheers! Im probably gonna go view it on weekend, but im not mechanically minded and not too sure what to look for! If its HPI clear, what are the main things to check and whats the best way of checking them? The owner has said its mechanically sound, but has been down the road hence the crack in the fairing and why hes dropped the price. Hopefully its genuine!

Dr Nick · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2003 Karma :

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=16507 Wink

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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

You might be able to persuade some of these London types to go with you to view it, it's always good to take someone else along. They can spot things that you miss, it's easy to think new bike, new bike, new bike and miss all the dodgy bits.

Hex - thought that's what I'd heard, that it uses the older FZR five speed box, but I stand to be corrected as I've never touched one.

Along comes Keith! Wink

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

I know exactly what your saying!! I dont know who's based where on here though, other than the 3 or 4 peeps I met last weekend:

Major_Grooves
Cagiva Geezer
Smoto Bob
Claud 14.7 to 1

If any of you guys are around on the weekend, gimme a shout!

Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

I don't think I can help this weekend. I'm a bit busy tomorrow, and then I'm going to be in South London/Surrey most of Sunday. Good luck with it! Thumbs Up

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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

i know the price seems a little low, hopefully the reason its cheap is cos of fairing damage, but that doesnt bother me in the slightest. If theres nothing mechanically wrong with it and its HPI clear, the bike is mine Twisted Evil

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

Looks like a good clean bike. Smile

I think the Thundercat is great value for money and an excellent ride. Thumbs Up

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Danny - Why don't you go over with him for a look?

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I could do, but I'm not the most mechanically minded person. Embarassed

But if no one else better can go with Mike I'll check it out with him.

Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Might be a good one even if you're not, especially if you turn up on your own. It might put the frighteners on him in case there is something wrong with it, he could mistake you for an expert! Wink

Sorry not trying to volunteer you.

Edit: You're all southerners to me! Razz

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Danny... 5 or 6 gears?
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MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

danny, where you based? im in enfield, north london, bike is based in romford, essex

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I'm in Wimbledon, South London.

I think it has 6 gears, although I never count 'em I just keep knocking 'em up. Wink

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

thats a bit of a trek, but up to you? Just trying to do insurance quotes, went to www.confused.com but cheapest i got was £1600, more than the bike itself!! Anyone know of any good insurance companies? I'm 24, think i got 1 year NCB (but not 100% sure), bike is kept in a locked garage.

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Any car NCB?

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

yeah, got 2 years car NCB i think, or it could be 3? say 2 to be safe

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Some places like (I'll say it again) H&R www.insurance2000.co.uk will let you use it on a bike.