Thundercats - Ho? (Change of bike)

[thegibdog]

Recently I have been considering changing my SV for something with a fairing due to my 65 mile a day commute which is mainly on motorways. With my SV being naked it's just become a bit of a drag to ride to work and I find myself taking the car more often than I'd like (definitely more often than my girlfriend would like as we share a car). I've considered putting a screen on the bike or getting an "s" but fancy a change.

I want a bike thats got good weather protection, is comfortable over distances, isn't too big, not too expensive, looks ok and is fun to ride. The Yamaha Thundercat seems to be a good choice for this, its sporty enough without being too extreme a riding position for commuting and seems to have a good fairing. Does anybody have experience of this bike or have any other recommendations?

[SoulKiss]

Recently I have been considering changing my SV for something with a fairing due to my 65 mile a day commute which is mainly on motorways. With my SV being naked it's just become a bit of a drag to ride to work and I find myself taking the car more often than I'd like (definitely more often than my girlfriend would like as we share a car). I've considered putting a screen on the bike or getting an "s" but fancy a change.

I want a bike thats got good weather protection, is comfortable over distances, isn't too big, not too expensive, looks ok and is fun to ride. The Yamaha Thundercat seems to be a good choice for this, its sporty enough without being too extreme a riding position for commuting and seems to have a good fairing. Does anybody have experience of this bike or have any other recommendations?

You would want to PM _stretchie_ about this - he rides a 'Cat

[hovis]

i was torn between a thundercat & an SV

i chosse well IMO

[Swiss]

Good bikes the Thundercats. Just watch for the gearboxes as they can cause some issues, however regular oil changes and keeping up with the servicing should keep it good.
Also concider the Kwak ZZR 600 or the ZX6R

[DanAbnormal]

Recently I have been considering changing my SV for something with a fairing due to my 65 mile a day commute which is mainly on motorways. With my SV being naked it's just become a bit of a drag to ride to work and I find myself taking the car more often than I'd like (definitely more often than my girlfriend would like as we share a car). I've considered putting a screen on the bike or getting an "s" but fancy a change.

I want a bike thats got good weather protection, is comfortable over distances, isn't too big, not too expensive, looks ok and is fun to ride. The Yamaha Thundercat seems to be a good choice for this, its sporty enough without being too extreme a riding position for commuting and seems to have a good fairing. Does anybody have experience of this bike or have any other recommendations?

I do about the same mileage as yourself all on M'ways. I have done it on faired bikes and yes they are better but I love my nakeds. That being said when it rains you really do get the full onslaught of the rain with a naked bike. I'm sure the Thundercat is a great bike, have you thought about something like a CBR600F?

[Ed]

darylB has one, PM him. It's physically large, but very comfortable. The standard can looks cheap rubbish IMO.

[Rog]

I went from an SV to a thundy fro similar reasons. I do miss my SV but wouldnt go back now. The Yam has better suspension, more poke, slightly more comfortable seating position and is easy to ride as a tourer or a sports bike. If I had the money I would have kept both.

As has been said in the this thread, the main thing to look for is a whiney gearbox as this is a sign that it could be on its way out and is a commonish fault / problem with the Thundy. Apart from that they are a vastly underated bike. I dont think you would regret the move, although you will miss the torque and sound of a twin!!! I know I still do.

[Steve H]

I went from an SV to a thundy fro similar reasons. I do miss my SV but wouldnt go back now. The Yam has better suspension, more poke, slightly more comfortable seating position and is easy to ride as a tourer or a sports bike. If I had the money I would have kept both.

As has been said in the this thread, the main thing to look for is a whiney gearbox as this is a sign that it could be on its way out and is a commonish fault / problem with the Thundy. Apart from that they are a vastly underated bike. I dont think you would regret the move, although you will miss the torque and sound of a twin!!! I know I still do.

And of course knowing that you are riding a bike named after an 80's childrens cartoon. :-s

[thegibdog]

And of course knowing that you are riding a bike named after an 80's childrens cartoon. :-s

That's the main reason I'm looking at getting one!

Thanks for the responses, I guess I'll take one for a test ride and see how I find them. I know I'll miss the SV's motor, but hopefully the Thundercats extra size and weight won't be a problem.

[hovis]

And of course knowing that you are riding a bike named after an 80's childrens cartoon. :-s

That's the main reason I'm looking at getting one!
.

if i got one i was going to get the thundercats logo done huge on the fairings

but the dodgy gearboxes put me off it

[thegibdog]

So how bad is the gearbox? Is it a common problem? I will be looking at the lower end of the market at bikes with 20-30k on the clock, presumably this is a problem that develops over a long period?

[dyzio]

it's a gremlin in the Tcat, I've been thinking about getting one myself.
I've been told that you can test it by riding in 2nd gear in HIGH rev's, if the gear pops out, forget about the bike :(

[Rog]

it's a gremlin in the Tcat, I've been thinking about getting one myself.
I've been told that you can test it by riding in 2nd gear in HIGH rev's, if the gear pops out, forget about the bike :(


Would agree with this. You either get a good one or a bad one and the above method is the way to test. Also listen out for excessive whine from the gearbox. if everything is feels and sounds ok then all you need to do from then on is make sure you keep on top of maintenance and oil changes and it will be fine. To be honest if the gearbox sounds and drives ok the mileage bike your looking at you've in all probability got a good one anyway. If I remember correctly it was aroudn the 8,000 mile mark that they tended to go.

Remember alot of bikes have niggles particular to the make and model.

[darylB]

I've got one and i love it,yes it's not the lightest 600 but it makes up for it in the comfort stakes, handles well and has so far been free of any problems,(touch wood) i can recommend you trying one, i'm sure you'll find it a nice bike to ride, according to write ups it's one of the best value and underrated bikes on the market. the only extras on mine are a powerbronze airflow screen and a remus revolution exhaust, i'm told it sounds awesome. Try one and see how good a bike it is!

Daryl.

[_Stretchie_]

Alright fella

I have a Thundercat, it is my first bike and I LOVE it. But all said and done it's basically horses for courses, twins aren't better than IL4's (shut up Hovis and let me finish) and IL4's aren't better than twins. It's what YOU like

Mate, I munch on miles on my cat and have just gone through the gearbox problem (the common problem is actually with 2nd or 3rd gear not engaging or slipping out when you give it a bit and only becomes a gearbox problem if you are a knobber and carry on riding without getting it fixed - i.e. ME :rolleyes: ) and know now that if it happens it's probably because you've been abusing the gears. Got it fixed in the end (after lots of fanny about) for just over £400. Goes like the clappers now (well it would if someone else was riding it :mrgreen: )

It is a great all rounder bike mate


Big comfortable seat
Fully adjustable suspension front and back as standard
As with the other 600 and up Yammy's of the time they have the same brakes.. Yes, you'll have the same brakes that were stopping the R1.Get rid of the standard can, I've got an ART can on mine and (obviously I'm biased) I think it sounds awesome when you're up the top end of the revs :smt038


if i got one i was going to get the thundercats logo done huge on the fairings

If you do get one.. And do the above....

I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU..... Then take your gearbox just in case

PM me again if you have any other questions or log yourself onto www.2-wheels.org (http://www.2-wheels.org) nearly everyone from there was on the old YamahaThndercats site but alot don't go on the older site now. Lot's of them have, have had or moved over to Thundercats and there's SOOOO much you could get from them, including a bike.
Have fun, speak to you soon and let me know how it goes on, it's a shame, I've just been near Preston for the AR this weekend, you could have had a peruse around it