New member looking for expertise

Hi guys, I'm a freelance journalist working form Mortons Media and currently looking for some input from Thudercat owners re an article I am writing for Motorcycle Monthly. Am trying to find a list of typical 'cat faults/problems, a timeline on development and hopefully a kind owner who could tell MCM's readership a little about there bike.
Any help much appreciated.
Steve the Scribe

Hi Steve,

Welcome to yamaha-thundercats.org. Hope you enjoy you're time here. Glad to see you got my e-mail about registration.

steve the scribe wrote: . . . . Am trying to find a list of typical 'cat faults/problems, . . . .

Any help much appreciated.
Steve the Scribe

I suppose it has to be said, but why so negative a spin or angle on your proposed piece on the 'Cat' ?

Surely the aim of a good bit of investigative journalism for the motorcycle press is to encourage new riders into our world and not the reverse. At the very least a balanced and neutral stance.
That or to demonstrate to those that are new and have just acquired their "big bike" licence either through time served on a restricted ticket or through DAS that they are not necessarily limited to the most modern and upto date pieces of machinery in the 600cc bracket.

Now that you are here, a good old rummage throught the forums will help you no end in finding the answers to those questions you have asked and a veritable wealth of info on those you have not.

That said, I'm sure the good people on this humble domain will be along shortly to assist you in your re-quest, perhaps reinforcing that view, with the many strong points of thundercat ownership as well of course with the little foibles (as with all machines) that it has.

Please try not to take my comments the wrong way. My intent was to offer a constructive point of view rather than a negative criticism. I'm confident, you being a red blooded, card carrying, thick skined journo should enable you to take it on the chin.

I wish you good luck with your article and we would all be very interested to know when it is to be published.

Cheers
0c

Isn't there an FAQ about somewhere that pretty much covers all this? I think I have a copy on my PC at home.

Steve,

Glad you managed to sign in.

Agree with Oldcat, the 'faults and problems' stood out and probably portrayed the wrong impression on what you want to achieve. There is a lot going for it, in spite of its age. You won't be embarrassed when going out with your mates, more likely be frustrated that they have to 'keep' stopping to put their bones back in place or refuel.
A competent mid range all rounder. You'll have fun on the track and can then load it up to the hilt and comfortably tour Europe. Miles and Miles of smiles, and I've done some.

Not sure what you you are looking for 'timeline on development'. The bike was last sold in Europe in 2003 and in the US in 2007.

The FAQ Weasley mentioned is here.

How big a piece are you looking for from owners on their bikes?

-Steve

Sorry folks didn't mean to give the wrong impression. Obviously I need as much postive as possible. It's just that in all my years of doing these features finding out what goes wrong has inevitably been the hardest details to find! If anyone have potted histories of models, variations or anythig pertinent I'd be delighted to recieve them. Also if the cogniscenti can point me towards a thread that covers the above I'd be really grateful. Word count is limited to less than 1500 so have to be on the money to make sure the key areas are covered.
Thanks in advance.
Steve the Scribe

Hmm Well there isn't really one main thread or forum that will have all or even most of the answers you look for. They're gonna be dotted all over.

Very briefly tho :-
1996 yzf600r "Thundercat" goes on the market (replacing the fzr600 genessis)
2003 yzf600r goes off sale in UK due to Euro3 emition regs (continues in US until 2007)
It had very little significant developement done during that time other than colour changes.

I wouldn't advocate plagiarism but here is an old piece on mcn that might help HERE << linky thing.
I disagree with the comment in 'Ride and Handling' about going all "Bagpuss" when pushing on.
Sure it's not as sharp as a dedicated supersport 600, but even a new R6 would have trouble loosing a cat in good hands, a brand new Gillette the cat may not be, but you can still give yourself a decent shave or a damned nasty nic on an old razor. How much faster than 145mph do you really want to go anyway ?

The fuel tank capacity is 19 litres not 599 as the article says (someone stuffed up there)
The range if you ask here varries but when (very) spirited as little as 90 miles, frugle as much as 220 miles has been mentioned here, but on average it's not uncommon to here of every day usage mileage of 175 miles before the reserve fuel light comes on.
The motor only has an output of 96bhp not 100

SteveCat has already given you the link in his post for the 'Known Issues' pdf which covers most of owners gripes and some practical solutions.

The only other thing is in the meantime to have a good rummage through the forums or wait for others to add their tup'nce worth. Which could turn out to be worth $$$ or their weight in precious metal

In terms of model development, the only differences I can think of from start to finish were:

- paint and decals
- revised rear shock at some point, adjustment intervals were revised
- updated fusebox wiring loom around 1998 to accomodate an alarm (my 1997 has the older wiring and was a bit of a pain to wire the alarm into)
- top yoke got a Yamaha logo
- early bikes got a silver exhaust silencer with an integral hanger; later bikes got a black can with a strap hanger.

There are also small differences between country variants to meet locals regs. Eg the German model has 4 drain tubes, rather than the usual 3 - the extra one comes from the fuel filler cap. US bikes come with fork-leg reflectors, but then all US bikes do. US bikes are also not called "Thundercat", just YZF600R - you see some of these in the UK as they were imported here and sold as new bikes for a while after the official UK bikes were stopped.

Hi folks and thanks for the very informative links and responses. As I only write part time (I have a 9-5 real job) any input from the cogniscenti is very much appreciated.

Is there anyone in the the group who'd like to have their bike pictured in Motorcycle Monthly and pen a few words on what the Thundercat does for them please?

TTFN

Steve the Scribe

Hi Steve,
I'm looking to have around 150 on a Thundercat owners machine with a decent shot of their bike hopefully with them in camera. This forum has proved to be mine of information and I'll happily flag it up in MCM when the feature comes out if that helps the community/cause.

Steve the Scribe

SteveCat wrote:Steve,

Glad you managed to sign in.

Agree with Oldcat, the 'faults and problems' stood out and probably portrayed the wrong impression on what you want to achieve. There is a lot going for it, in spite of its age. You won't be embarrassed when going out with your mates, more likely be frustrated that they have to 'keep' stopping to put their bones back in place or refuel.
A competent mid range all rounder. You'll have fun on the track and can then load it up to the hilt and comfortably tour Europe. Miles and Miles of smiles, and I've done some.

Not sure what you you are looking for 'timeline on development'. The bike was last sold in Europe in 2003 and in the US in 2007.

The FAQ Weasley mentioned is here.

How big a piece are you looking for from owners on their bikes?

-Steve

Are you after just input (words and pictures) from us, or do you want to get hold of the bike to photograph yourself? In other words, can I do it from the comfort of my living room, or do I have to get off my arse and go out in the cold?!

If the former, I'm happy to give you something - you can choose to use it or not as you see fit. I'm fairly handy with a camera and have a decent one that'll turn out image quality suitable for publication. What I don't have is a closed track or studio for press-launch-style shots.

Deadline?

Thanks matey, a shot from home of the'Cat and 150-200 on why it flaots yor boat would be absolutely perfect please.
Deadline would be Thusday 27th latest if you can do that. Really appreciate you help and the resources of the forum.
Despite being a habitual internet-ist I've steered clear of forums for all the usual reasons but this one really is the business.
Also very impressed by what I read about the Thudercat; life long Yamaha owner (my oldist is 1962, newest 1979) but haven't had a lot to do with the newer bikes. Now serioulsly thinking of investing in a Cat.

Thanks again,

Steve the Scribe

Steve you really would not regret getting a cat, you know you want to.

Hmm

This weeks MCN.
Has a piece remakably likened to the one I linked to earlier in this thread.
It's regurgitating the 'same old - same old' just slightly re-worded, no real attempt to hide the fact they've recycled an old (very) piece of work.

Time perhaps to put resolutions to some of those negative comments about our beloved cats

So Steve,

It'd be refreshing to see a piece that comes from a different slant. Perhaps pointing out that although the likes of the GSXR's - ZX6R's - R6's & CBR600's are still with us they are none of them still in their 1996 format and still going strong.
Look at any of those bikes from '96 and they look far more dated than the cat does now.

And where are the likes of the ZZR600's that were supposed to be so strong.

I personaly think Yamaha got the thundercat just right ~ if it ain't broke - don't fix it ~ It was only Euro3 emissions regs that beat it.

So come on folks ~ throw the man a bone here ~ give him your thoughts ~ good and bad ~ and where bad, the solution you came up with or are looking for.

cheers

Wouldn't know about MCN, haven't read one for ages...................to busy writing LOL.
Am aiming to flag the 'Cat up as one of the best machines available for the money and a hidden treasure.
There's a lot of bases to cover in a limited word count but am doing my best.
Would appreciate words from owners and the all important good picture please.

Thanks
S t S

Steve - I have some words and photos for you - how do I send them to you? I have a number of large image files - do you want them all (various angles of the bike, plus one or two with me in)? If so, e-mail will be tough as they are 4-5 MB each. I could send you some low res proofs if you like, but I am travelling on business from Tuesday to Thursday afternoon, so would struggle to send you hi res options if you needed them.

Let me know best and quickest option.

Cheers,

Paul

PS - put here rather than PM so the team are aware of activity!

I have owned my Thundercat for a over 10 years and used it for commuting, scratching, touring europe etc.

Never given me a moment of trouble. Happy to provide a few words and pics if you so desire.

Let me know best and quickest option.

Hi m8 , probably stating the blindingly obvious (and no I wouldn't know how to do it), but how about a compressed zip file per e-mail ?

Cheers Tel - it was my first thought but since the images are jpegs they're already compressed, so zipping them won't do much in terms of compressing further.

Also, an e-mail address would be a good start!

Ah right, see , told you I wouldn't know how to do it

I'm sure StS will be along shortly and be able (willing) to PM you an e-mail address.

Hi Paula and thank for helping out.
Two shots side or 3/4 on would be fine please. One of just the bike and one with you there as well.
Please mail them one at a time to steve.the.scribe@gmail.com and I'll check that I can pick them up; should be OK.
Once again thanks for takling the time.
Speak soon............of to a manice week in the 9-5er.
S T S

I'll get on it tonight - pics are on my home PC.

By the way, just to manage expectations about the pictures, it's Paul rather than Paula - sorry to disappoint!

Thanks Paul,
Sorry, a slip of the key board before I'd woken up.

StS