Yamaha Thundercat as a 1st bike
Discussion
CBT has been passed so it's onto the DAS probably early April due to work comitments. Trying to plan ahead but insurance costs (despite my age) means i need a cheap and/or cheap to insure bike. I've looked at 125's but not sure it's going to be the right bike for me.
Looked at ER6n's/SV650s/CB500/hornets/fasers etc but they're either to pricey (e.g ER6's) or I just don't like the look of them.
So anway, a chap at work has a Thundercat. I've always liked the look of them and they generally get good write up's, cheap to buy (albeit these are 9 year old bikes) and TPTF is c£320 for the insurance for me.
What are people's views on this as a first bike (to be used soley for weekend dry fun to build up experience) and the odd commute (no motorway thankfully).
Looked at ER6n's/SV650s/CB500/hornets/fasers etc but they're either to pricey (e.g ER6's) or I just don't like the look of them.
So anway, a chap at work has a Thundercat. I've always liked the look of them and they generally get good write up's, cheap to buy (albeit these are 9 year old bikes) and TPTF is c£320 for the insurance for me.
What are people's views on this as a first bike (to be used soley for weekend dry fun to build up experience) and the odd commute (no motorway thankfully).
You're 36, so maybe a bit more in control of your right hand than if you were 18 
I'd say why not? If there's one at work you can have a sit on to work out whether the riding position is comfortable for you then so much the better. You'll find you physically don't fit on some bikes - an SV650 would leave me needing osteopathy.
I'd say why not? If there's one at work you can have a sit on to work out whether the riding position is comfortable for you then so much the better. You'll find you physically don't fit on some bikes - an SV650 would leave me needing osteopathy.
Stitch26 said:
CBT has been passed so it's onto the DAS probably early April due to work comitments. Trying to plan ahead but insurance costs (despite my age) means i need a cheap and/or cheap to insure bike. I've looked at 125's but not sure it's going to be the right bike for me.
Looked at ER6n's/SV650s/CB500/hornets/fasers etc but they're either to pricey (e.g ER6's) or I just don't like the look of them.
So anway, a chap at work has a Thundercat. I've always liked the look of them and they generally get good write up's, cheap to buy (albeit these are 9 year old bikes) and TPTF is c£320 for the insurance for me.
What are people's views on this as a first bike (to be used soley for weekend dry fun to build up experience) and the odd commute (no motorway thankfully).
great 1st bike , cheap to run and insure as you've said , decent handling and go, plentyof bikes in breakers later ones can go for decent money (but cheaper than a cbr) but, i think ,look better. the only thing i'd say is they're not that durable ,and i'd check everything that could rot or seize. Ride magazine did a good piece on doing one up very recently , loads of good info..Looked at ER6n's/SV650s/CB500/hornets/fasers etc but they're either to pricey (e.g ER6's) or I just don't like the look of them.
So anway, a chap at work has a Thundercat. I've always liked the look of them and they generally get good write up's, cheap to buy (albeit these are 9 year old bikes) and TPTF is c£320 for the insurance for me.
What are people's views on this as a first bike (to be used soley for weekend dry fun to build up experience) and the odd commute (no motorway thankfully).
Perfect first Sportsbike IMHO... So good that even after over 3yrs and nearly 40,000 miles in my ownership I still have mine and am struggling to find a good replacement! 
They really are very underated and do everything you can wish for... they commute, tour, track and scratch with ease and always in comfort. They are very cheap to run and easy to maintain.
They are also quicker than the equivalent R6 until you go above 10,000 rpm which makes for a faster road bike as its rare you will go above 9,000-10,000rpm on when commuting, etc
Importantly as a first sportsbike the geometry is very relaxed therefore you get away with 'mistakes' that on other sportsbikes could cause you problems.
The brakes are off an R1 / Thunderace of the same era so are superb.
The suspension is very good in standard form as long as not too worn... upgrades arent expensive and are worthwhile. My own TCat is running Ohlins internals in the forks and Ohlins rear damper.
The engine is a peach, very torquey for a 600cc but rev it above 8-9000rpm and it really starts to shift... they will also do big mileage ... a few on the owners club are close to hitting six figure mileages ...
Build quality is also very good... certainly better than equivalent kawasaki / suzuki bikes of the same age. Not quite to Honda standards mind.
If you do decide to buy one then a few things to watch out for:
- Rusty downpipes... they are mild steel and rot badly
- Seized brakes... front calipers need careful maintenance otherwise braking is poor... they should never need more than two fingers on the lever even for an emergency stop...
- 2nd gear ... the dogs / selector wear on 2nd gear which results in them popping out of 2nd ... stick the bike in 2nd gear and open the throttle hard... if it pops out then walk away. It's an engine out job to repair. Most people just put a new engine in if this happens.
Mine:
As a first bike you will have a lot of fun on the Thundercat... I've been all over the UK on mine, tracked it twice at Cadwell Park, Commute on it daily from Manchester to Liverpool in all weathers and its been brilliant. The only time it let me down was for a lose front sprocket nut. It's now on 51,000 miles and it looks and runs better than it did when I bought with 16k on the clock... funny thing is I've been looking at trade in at a few dealers and every dealer viewing the TCat for PX has done a double take at the mileage on the Speedo...
HTH
Scott
They really are very underated and do everything you can wish for... they commute, tour, track and scratch with ease and always in comfort. They are very cheap to run and easy to maintain.
They are also quicker than the equivalent R6 until you go above 10,000 rpm which makes for a faster road bike as its rare you will go above 9,000-10,000rpm on when commuting, etc
Importantly as a first sportsbike the geometry is very relaxed therefore you get away with 'mistakes' that on other sportsbikes could cause you problems.
The brakes are off an R1 / Thunderace of the same era so are superb.
The suspension is very good in standard form as long as not too worn... upgrades arent expensive and are worthwhile. My own TCat is running Ohlins internals in the forks and Ohlins rear damper.
The engine is a peach, very torquey for a 600cc but rev it above 8-9000rpm and it really starts to shift... they will also do big mileage ... a few on the owners club are close to hitting six figure mileages ...
Build quality is also very good... certainly better than equivalent kawasaki / suzuki bikes of the same age. Not quite to Honda standards mind.
If you do decide to buy one then a few things to watch out for:
- Rusty downpipes... they are mild steel and rot badly
- Seized brakes... front calipers need careful maintenance otherwise braking is poor... they should never need more than two fingers on the lever even for an emergency stop...
- 2nd gear ... the dogs / selector wear on 2nd gear which results in them popping out of 2nd ... stick the bike in 2nd gear and open the throttle hard... if it pops out then walk away. It's an engine out job to repair. Most people just put a new engine in if this happens.
Mine:
As a first bike you will have a lot of fun on the Thundercat... I've been all over the UK on mine, tracked it twice at Cadwell Park, Commute on it daily from Manchester to Liverpool in all weathers and its been brilliant. The only time it let me down was for a lose front sprocket nut. It's now on 51,000 miles and it looks and runs better than it did when I bought with 16k on the clock... funny thing is I've been looking at trade in at a few dealers and every dealer viewing the TCat for PX has done a double take at the mileage on the Speedo...
HTH
Scott
Edited by Mr OCD on Friday 25th February 14:47
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