“Being it's my first big bike the thundercat is a real under dog. Love the look of it and mine is a 2003 model and the mpg is great an average tank for me is 230miles which if you ride sensibly you'll easily achieve.
Being more of a sport tourer it's is bigger than normal bikes width wise but I can honestly say for the money of picking a good one is so low a real worth thinking about getting one.”
“Best bike ever. At least for a comfy-sporty ride. I love how she have solid mid range and a little bit of power near the rev limit. Handling is superb. Comfort is outstanding. I still don't understand why this bike was not more popular than cbr600f. If it would get alloy frame and (slightly) more powerful engine (like 15bhp and some torque, could do with easy going 750cc engine really) and maybe 180 rear tyre it would be best real life bike on the market. Never had any problems, engine is solid, brakes are almost too good. Insurance is cheap and you can find perfect condition TCat for reasonable price. I am considering keeping this bike as long as possible, even if I wouldn't ride it.”
“When the Thundercat first came out it was classed as a sports bike but was soon re-assesed as a sports tourer when other 600's got more focused.
That, for someone like me, however is no bad thing. For £1700 I got a very good condition low mileage example.
I'm old and with the "Cat" I can ride for 2 hours easily without suffering pain in my wrists, neck, back, and bum. The engine has enough torque to be able to Potter along at reasonable pace without having to keep the tacho needle pinned to the stop. When you do want an extra shot of adrenaline, however, there is more than enough poke in the upper reaches of the rev range.
I'm not a knee down scratcher, (old and inflexible leg joints) so the fact that it doesn't drop over to the edge of the tyre tread if I so much as lift a cheek to fart, is fine by me.
I've not done much maintenance in the year and a bit I've owned it but I have had the bodywork off to clean it and that is a bit of a pain but not a deal breaker.
Fuel consumption seams to be fair and that's probably down in part to my riding style, but when I've been out with my daughter (ZX6R) and her friend (GSXR) I'm the last to need fuel and in fact to ease the strain.
Unless you're the type of rider who needs an out and out full on sportsbike but wants one with slightly more sporting looks and feel that a Bandit/Fazer/Hornet type, at a reasonable cost, then I throughly recommend you consider a Thundercat.”
“Comfy, fast, reliable, tank!
Owned this bike for 12 years , toured on it , commuted on it and played with it for years and other than standard service have only ever replaced tyres, batteries and one set of front fork sills!
Even had it off the road for 4 years, changed the battery only and it fired up first touch of the button. Yes I really want another newer bike but could never sell my baby now it has become part of me. Thundercats are go!”
“Had my 1998 Thundercat for 6 years and it is still purring along as new. Extremely reliable, only problems have been battery's x2 (lack of care on my part over winter) and a broken speedometer cable. It has great acceleration and the brakes are great although I can see the benefit of ABS! 200 miles is easily achievable on a tank of fuel if not ridden too enthusiastically. Good wind protection and comfortable over distances. Pillion position is ok. It may not have all the mod cons of newer bikes but it is still a great ride and worth a punt if you want some thrills at an affordable price. I fitted heated grips, scott oiler, crash bungs, double bubble screen, Yoshimura can, braded hoses and a top box so I can use it for work commuting. It still gets good comments at bike meets and turns heads in town despite the top box!”
“Great bike easy to ride, faster than most give credit, very solid reliable, comfort long distance is also great.
Watch out for the second gear issue some are prone to popping out in second on high revs, hence the new gear box issue...mine was fine...
I loved the bike it did everything I wanted and more, great first 600, there's plenty knocking about at good prices, cheap to insure also.
I sold mine on due to moving and finance but I would really recommend this bike as a first 600, or as a great sporty tourer ...miss my cat ....had two to date..99 and 97
like any older bike beware ones that have been stood as it can be costly to clean the buggers out of clogged up fuel and crap.....it is one of Yamaha's most overlooked 600's from that era it deserved more credit...”
“The old Cat is still running as sweet as a nut , i love it , even though its nearly 17 years old i still get a huge smile on my face after a ride , there are a few niggly things i would like to change , silly things really , but that is because i do my own servicing on it ,
Shortest trip ? about a mile to the local cash point , longest trip ( so far ) 320 mile round trip , and i loved every second of it , Parts are easy to come by and not too expensive , so i can"t argue with that , To sum it up , its a great bike , very reliable , i love it & do not see me changing it any time soon .”
