1st Impression

**MiMa** Sat Oct 22 2011, 19:25

Hi Maria of M&M here
Just wanted to let you all know that after a long weeks anticipation I finally got to ride my thundercat !!!!! WOW!!!! What a ride a world away from my faithfull old GPZ 500s.
Couldnt get over the way she snicked in to gears; the sound when i opened her up . I know she's in a different league to the GPZ in every way but I didnt quite know what we were getting, Miki feels the same too but he gave her more of a blast than I did. We both think we have bought a little Gem and we look forward to some long and happy times on her.

Questions. (from Miki.)
Ok. Have to say I'm impressed. Bike feels REALLY taught. The suspension feels better than my ZX6 and I have to say, I think the tyres feel a bit old or I'd have been really throwing her into bends. I was expecting the suspension to be softer. My ZX6 has been K-Tecked but feels harsh in comparison. Does this sound like it's been modified in some way?

Running. I expected more midrange. The bike has a Blue Flame twin exit can which I don't know if it has been jetted to suit. There's not much happening until you get to around 8000 revs then she takes off. The way it revs means you run through the gears very quickly above 8000 revs. Is that normal?
Comfort is really good and I like the riding postion.

The only con I have is the weight. She feels very heavy against my ZX6 which I always assumed was a heavy bike (J1)

Any tips or advice?

Maria certainly looks very comfortable on it almost instantly. Apart from the weight!

**mechy69** Sat Oct 22 2011, 19:47

i had a cat for 4 years and a zx6r j1 for 4 years,, loved both bikes, was told the zx had a lot less midrange , but found mine had more than the cat!!!, weight wise i found zx only just lighter but weight centred lower than cat so was more agile through twisties , but cat goes really well , especially when it gets to 10k rpm , like the j1 does at 12 !!!!!

Pete

**Dai-San** Sat Oct 22 2011, 19:54

Glad you like the Cat.

Sounds normal to me, above 7000rpm and you are coming on CAM, she should then pull strong and fast up to the red line (which comes around surprisingly fast).

Handling is a revelation considering the weight (for a 600) and she is a lot more nimble then you realise at first. You have Preload, Damping and Rebound front and rear which can take a while to get set up right, but when it is you can really chuck her around.

Personally I feel like I have two bikes, the one I ride to work every day which sits at 4500 rpm quite happily at 60mph in top and returns great MPG. But sometime (when the weather is nice) I let her unsheathe her claws and I get to work with that huge idiotic grin on my face from the 7000+ deal

**MiMa** Sat Oct 22 2011, 21:10

I think Miki's kicks in a lot sooner than that ,,,,, I find his ZX6 powers in at 3000 rpm through to the red line even on top gear !!
With my bum clenching tight through out it pmsl

Been told its been breathed on to gain masiave mid range ( whatever that means) :sleep:

**MiMa** Sat Oct 22 2011, 21:12

I think someone is taking the Miki! YAWN!

1st Impression

1st Impression

Re: 1st Impression

Re: 1st Impression

Re: 1st Impression

Re: 1st Impression