Yamaha Thundercat Long Term Review

[@glenndutton3529]

Bought one last January and have done 3,000 miles in the past year.The brakes are phenomenal and have saved my life twice. Been riding bikes for thirty five years and trust my Cat implicitly.

[@donnaburton3884]

Thanks for this review. Thinking of buying one this weekend and has really helped. Just passed my full licence last week after riding a 125cc for many years

[@theovansteijn1135]

Did you, I bought one last april had her serviced. Fantastic byke.She,s a 2000.did only 50,000km can easy do another 150,000

[@adamfishlock9373]

I have a 98 cat, bought with 27000 Kms for 1200 euro 8 years ago, it's got 70000 Kms now and hasn't missed a beat, fast and safe, handles brilliantly, brakes well and is extremely forgiving ( got me out of a few scrapes!) I've ridden all my life, had many bikes, but this, in my opinion, is the best. So underrated, anyone thinking of getting one, you can't go wrong, you won't be disappointed 🤘

[@ClearBrookExotics]

Best sport touring bike ever! Lighter than the Honda VFR, and capable of all day comfort. I wish they would bring it back, with efi.

[@martinbond461]

Totally agree. I had a cat about 14 years ago and absolutely loved it. I'm not a fan of all out sports bikes but the Cat could be both a cruiser and could cut the mustard against any other 600cc bike when the need would arise! I now ride a 2004 CBR600F and though it is technically superior and quicker, I would trade it for a Cat immediately if only I could find one as immaculate and with about 5K miles on it. Yamaha are definitely missing a trick by not bringing back a bike to directly replace the Cat.

[@MrBoybergs]

Just replaced my 1999 vfr800 for a 1999 Cat. So much lighter and much more exciting to ride. Not quite as refined as the VFR but far more engaging.

[@ClearBrookExotics]

@@MrBoybergs Sweet! How many miles? What color?

[@MrBoybergs]

@@ClearBrookExotics Blue and white with hints of black. 22,000 miles. Excellent condition; a few minor scratches but it's 22 years old. Starts and runs perfectly. Thanks for the reply btw....:)

[@ClearBrookExotics]

@@MrBoybergs Good stuff! Happy for you my friend.

[@trevorbuchanan6226]

Thanks , these yams are growing on me . Like the riding position,and brakes

[@richardtruthconquersall9226]

Owned a cat ,, comfy long rides, corners well, brakes work well if no ones Tampered , never broke down in 6 years

[@jacekstarostecki2493]

I bought a brand new one back in 1996. Crashed it once at a track day at Kyalami but only cosmetic damage. Sold it in 2000 with 41,000 km on the clock and never had one day's hassles with it. Fork seals never leaked, did not use any oil and the only interesting observation I made was that the front brakes never worked as well with EBC or SBS pads as they did with the original Yamaha one. It was a great bike and I would buy one again if a mint unit came looking for a new owner.

[@mediamisfits3805]

I loved my Thunderace. Will grab myself a Thundercat for this year

[@PlanetaTierr]

One of the best comfortable sport touring motorcycle Yamaha build

[@kjc0074]

How does it handle in rain?

[@abuelofm5]

Have you lubricated the fork seals prior to install? That may be the reason of the frequent leak.

[@minisla]

Had one loved it...Only issue was front end in damp conditions bit soft...

[@robbie2awesome]

Its gorgeous

[@user-gz1hu5px1z]

Long term review? I bought one new in 1996 and have not had a problem with it,best bike I have had.☺

[@laprepper]

Bought one for $900US, just got it running for about $80 in cables, plugs, a gallon of premium, new battery and a bottle of carb spray 😂 and about 10 hrs of wrenching

[@camhughes33]

keep an eye on your rear spring linkage...prone to seize,,,but part from that,,,,I LOVE MY CAT

[@franiebeard1650]

Just got myself the same colour great bike a future classic for sure

[@moforockband]

sometimes when a fork persistently leaks even after proper parts and correct install, it is the fork tubes (stanchions) themselves which is the issue. They wear, or even from new can be out of tolerance. New tube and bushes, will fix it.

[@johna6968]

That R6 colour scheme looks great

[@florisnr11]

The front seals are coming out becose people do to much oil in them, so the pressure becomes to high. There is very little oil in the front vork normaly.

[@l-dub1490]

Great video. .Thanks for uploading! I am going to look at a thundercat this Sunday. Mine is much the same story as you..i currently ride a cbr400, and I've got to a point where I'm getting fed up of having to rev the nuts off it to get anywhere! Cheers Lee

[@budabead]

I've had a ninja 250r, yeaaaars ago... yea shitty little bike, FUN but my God I remember having to drop a gear and rev alllll of the time if I wanted to achieve any overtakes or anything of the like lol good times...

[@maguslascivious4980]

I don't think I've seen these fairings in the states. I've been looking at these and a few others recently for a 'daily driver' type sport bike that's not a SV..

[@charlesscottkelly]

Nice one bud. Update, a year on I got myself one.

[@mstefspear]

Thank you very much for the honest review! I'm currently thinking of buying a 2002 model for £1700.. A change from my current Bandit 600. I had a trip on it, loved it but people are saying I should spend a bit more and get an R6.. Still considering whether or not to go for it.. Options are open...

[@thatsmeufo]

+mstefspear same story here. Considering Thundercat vs R6. What have you bought?

[@mstefspear]

+thatsmeufo Hi, I ended up buying my thundercat and love it to bits. I'm not really into the full sports side of bikes, so the sports tourer suits me just fine. I wanted a bike that I could do long journeys and travelling with, not just a bike I could go on and see how fast I could go.. So glad I changed to my cat, great bike.

[@thatsmeufo]

+mstefspear thank you for the fast reply! How tall are you? I'm 180 cm, 85 kg and I'm not sure if the bike would be comfortable enough for me. Speaking of comfort, what is the longest distance you traveled with the bike for a day? Thank you!

[@mstefspear]

+thatsmeufo Hey, Happy to help. I'm just under 6 foot, 31 year old male. Took some getting used to from the upright position of the Bandit definitely but I've had it nearly a year now and really like the facts it's good on those long runs on a carriageway etc but still sporty enough that's it fun around those little roads, and when u feel like opening it up for instance... The furthest I've riden is about a 2hour ride to my friends place from mine, and thats no problem. I'm taking it on a tour of Northern France in July and have no doubt it'll perform fine there. I'm under no illusions I'm an expert on these things (fairly new to motorbiking myself), just like what I like and glad I wasn't pressured into spending more for the r6/r1 but that's just my opinion. All u can do is try it out and see what you think.

[@gangatalishis]

honestly an r6 is better

[@PlanetaTierr]

I have a 2004 I just bought that bike with 15K miles I change the pipe for a short scorpion pipe sounds good, also Led head lights I clean everything and now it’s looking good I will post a short video of it.

[@citer5574]

Hmm

[@willyd4850]

Great video man!

[@nicktg1022]

I am buying one on Saturday 43k kilometers but fully serviced trough the years any tipps?

[@wightwalker2453]

Nice bike. Annoying about fork seals, surely it's something small but critical you've overlooked, although I'm no expert, and tend to get a workshop to do this kind of job. Reckon the closely related fazer is also worth a look. CBR600f probably a better finished 600 option?

[@budabead]

Wow very honest review good job! Considering buying one of these beauties as a gentle ease back to biking having not ridden for over 2 years. Quite concerned about the fork seals as ypu described... Is that a common fault with these? Again excellent review lad

[@JC-bqq]

no not in my experiance. How'd you go, did you end up buying one?

[@iandouglas451]

can you say if there's a vibration issue with these please?

[@Idk_thoo]

i just bought a 95, basically the same bike but looks better imo

[@minisla]

Front end never really had 100% trust when pushing it lovely bike..Sorry I sold mine.

[@kyleodean9264]

Mih need a gas tank to by plz

[@Silversurfur01]

What are you talking about blown out seals . I have 1 in kashmir and it is a 2008 import from USA to UK and then I tuke it to kashmir Pakistan in 2010. I have had no issues with it in 10 years of ownership of it. I will admit that the bike has clocked up a massive 4200 miles loll. I started it up after 5 year's and it didn't disappoint. I think I have a video uploaded here . But this thundercat of yours must b a sheep in wolf clothing.. keep riding and stay safe

[@laprepper]

looking at one today that doesn't run for $1000.

[@mehdiaracaj918]

cilinder

[@DerEinhornSteven]

You´re reat! thank you!

[@JC-bqq]

Your doing something wrong?....I've owned one of these for 10yrs and have never done a fork seal yet.....touch wood.

[@laprepper]

"bit of a piss take" ? 🤔