Anyone here own or ever owned one?

Now that the R1 and R6 lead Yamaha's Sportsbike offerings, the Thundercat seems to have been 'repositioned' by their marketing dept as a Sports Tourer (according toYamaha's website).

It doesn't look any different to me than it was last year - when, I'm sure, they had it classed as a Supersports.

Big question is, is it as comfy and capable on a longish journey as VFR would be? I suspect it has a more 'Sports' riding position and the 600 motor would need to be kept revving. What does the panel think hmm?

Hilts, you thinking of getting one?

They are apprarently pretty good. Not as manic as the R1 but not far off. Can't remember exact what the engine came out of but I think it was off of one of Yamaha older sports bikes, so it should be able to give you a good kick up the pants.

its not in the same class as a vfr m8 & Yamahas "repositioning" of the t/cat as a sports/tourer is just that.the truth is its getting on in years now, & cant compete.i would go for a used viffer rather than a new t/cat-i know peeps who have them & they dont seem to hold up too well to the ravages of time. siezed nuts n bolts, allen heads rounding off on disc carriers, all on an otherwise well maintained bike.
that said its still a rapid tool on the twisties, but i wouldnt want to tour on one.
hth

Hilts... take a VFR out matey... you'll be impressed! It's certainly gonna be my next bike I have to say although I'm gonna wait another year until the 800s come down in price a little

You'd be better going for a pre- VTech one as the servicing on the V-Tech is somewhat complicated when it comes to the 16,000 (and multiples of) mile service which means mega bucks.  Originally Honda were saying that the engine needed to be taken out completely to perform the service!

See this thread from the VFR Owners board

16000 mile service

Sod that for a game of soldiers. My old viffers costs me nothing more than a few hours in the back garden and parts.  :buttrock:

Reckon I need to try the VFR and maybe the 'cat though it sounds like the latter won't suit. It's got to be right for the long-haul and the Fazer already does an excellent job. I may not even need to change bikes but I've a hankering to find out either way.

Chap with an R6 I was working with today reckons the t-cat is loads more comfy than his bike (which is 'ridiculous', comfort-wise he says ).

Not bothered about the 16, 000 service by the way. It'll be a few years before I need to worry about it

Where's Barry/Rachel when you need him/her.  He/She rides a cat so would be more than willing to defend its honour methinks.

CAT'S RULE!!! No, but honestly. I bought mine 3 years ago with 6000 miles on the clock. I've now got 40000 miles on the clock. Miles covered have included Christmas in Orkney (230 miles from Glasgow to John O'Groats, then a ferry trip! can send a piccy of proof in the snow if you like) several trips to Wolverhampton (don't ask!), Manchester, etc. so long haul not a problem - no sore wrists or bottom.

I used to have to commute into Glasgow during rush hour - town riding fine too, and have also had it round Knockhill race track on more than one occasion. In the right hands you can out break and out corner less competent riders on far superior machines. (R1/6!) (Please don't tell my insurers!!!)

I've had no major work done at all - reckon to get 8000 miles out of my back tyres, and my current chain and sprockets have done 25000miles (yes, I have a Scottoiler on it...but they are so easy to fit on the 'cat it'd be daft not to.) Routine maintenance fairly straightforwards if you're into that kind of thing - length of square extrusion handy for removing damper rod assembly if you happen to do fork seals .)
(guess what I've been doing this week.) If you're buying second hand, have a good look/listen at the brakes - I clean mine regularly, and have had no problems, but know of two owners who have had resonably pricy repair work carried out due to neglect

At the time they were launched, the suspension was slated, but the stock settings are only a few clicks off soft, and there is plenty of adjustment. There's an article in this months RIDE magazine comparing cats to other supersports, but I reckon its the best thing I've ever bought.

Hope that helps - if I can be of any further persuasion, let me know.
Cheers,
Rachel  
(I'M A GIRL!!!)

course your a girl, you ride a girlie t/cat  :D
dp runs & hides........................................................................ :verysad:

Good post Rachel, thanks for the info. I'll have a look ar Ride as well.

I know a chap who's planning to sell a '02 'cat in mint condition, hardly any miles on it. I may just have to fix a test ride  :D

Yes - test ride do. People seem to love them or hate them, but ignore comparisons to R6/ZX6/etc - reckon Yamaha didn't know what to describe it as when they launched it. Its got R1 derived bits on it (brakes) but historically came from FZ/FZR/FZR600R etc. I've got braided hoses on mine (replaced due to age more than anything else) and both a Skorpion can and a Micron can depending on where I'm headed. (Bought it with the Micron on it.) The original Yamaha one ways a ton, and sticks out like a ground to air missile launcher - but my Scorpion endcan was only £40 2nd hand courtesy of Partsearch UK. Soft luggage from Oxford works well, and mate of mine toured the European WW2 battlefields with his wife on his problem free - although I don't as a rule carry pillions it doesn't seem to be a problem. Reckon on getting from Glasgow to Lancaster without stopping for fuel, so decent tank capacity...go on...you know you want to!
Rachel

I've just figured it out  














You work for Yamaha don't ya! ::

Ha ha no, I just ride for them!
Rachel