Needing A Reality Check

Hi All

Sold my bike today (very sad to see her go but was glad for a sale 2 days before i pick up the new bike...)

Now that is done I have time to worry about something else.....

New Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat (I just like saying it..) looks good. 14k miles, barely a bodywork mark in sight but it's lack of history troubles me... Nothing, not any books or anything part from a V5 with 4 former keepers.

When I went down there there was a bit of silver paint overspray on the rear tyre and the rear swing arm has some 'texture' where it looks like a mark from a paddock stand has been covered without being prepped and primed.

But thats it - rubbers on pegs are good, as are the grips, tank, panels and other trim seem to match colour, seat is like new (oh Oh..), no marks on the ally covers, discs are not 'new' but worn in with no edge, indicators are standard etc...

Votes please.....

* Behind Door 1 - Well looked after tourer with a nice double bubble screen - BUY BUY BUY
* Behind Door 2 - Track bike with no history and a good spray job and new rubber bits - AVOID, AVOID AVOID

I'm parting with cash Saturday and REALLY looking forward to it but need some reassurance from the Thundercat Forum experts...

Geoff

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If you can get the number from the last mot certificate you can do a free check here
http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp

This will tell you if the milage is correct and if it's changed colour at any point. I used it to check a bike I was going to buy and found out it had done 44000 miles in 1998 but only had 19000 on the clock in 1999.

Have you test ridden it ?

If not . . .Do so before parting with your hard earnt

Look at all the usual suspects - chain, sprockets, brake pads etc.

When test riding the bike snick into 1st pull away as normal (not zoom off). . . Shift into second gear and allow the engine to idle in that gear (don't labor the motor tho) . . . Then (holding tight) snatch open the throttle (did i mention HOLD TIGHT?) .. .. ..
If the bike shoots off like a scolded cat. . . all is well with the gear box.
If however it jumps out of second gear . . . return it to the owner/dealer, say "no thanks" and walk away.

Other than that without viewing in person , it's as I said earlier check and double check all the usual suspects when buying a used machine.

Good luck

HPI check! Do the free text check thing! and all of above is great advice too

I bought mine with no history but 17,000 miles later (only had it a year ) no major issues.. got lucky? Perhaps.

Good luck

T.Cats are quite bulletproof but a major question is if it jumps out of 2nd gear..this can happen at any mileage and is major work if it does. All other wear is basic stuff

Door 1 for me! Thundercats are not common track bikes but are commonly well looked after sports tourers. A bit of overspray probably points to prep for sale rather than any major issue. Do an HPI to be sure but it looks like a decent enough bike.

I'd go door 1 too.

I'd think it most unlikely someone would have resprayed and gone to all the trouble of getting original decals to cover a 'mess'. The swing arm can look tatty quite easily, so also think it a touch up job for the sale.

The BEST colour scheme/decals, so I'd go for Door 1 too!

Thanks all - great advice. I will definitely try the 2nd gear test.

Jtpt2007 - took your advice and got V5 details from dealer - a quick free MOT check via DVLA showed first MOT at 6000 miles and then barely 1500 miles a year to present up to 14500 miles. HPI is clear too.

Much happier now.

Cheers All...

Well, the HOLDS and TIGHT have never been used so accurately.

What a great bike. Had a bit of a run out today, only an hour to get used to the weight of the bike but what a machine.

Not had it past 9000 revs yet - no road long enough in any gear to really take advantage.

Sunday supposed to be sunny so going for a longer run to Brecon with a mate o his 750 GSXf...

Be careful but it does not wake up until 10,000 to 13,000 revs, that's the sweet spot...it will safely bounce off the rev limiter mines done 48,000 miles and been worked hard for a lot of those miles.

My tip is to run it in 3rd gear for a few miles without going into a higher gear just to get used to the engine working at higher revs..it'll handle 120mph in 3rd so no harm will come to the engine but you'll become much more familiar with it

It took me a while to get into the 10,000 plus mark as I only passed my test in November but when I finally Did it was a revelation, the bike completely changed and became snarly and aggressive, loves to corner and I've learnt a lot more about controlling the bike at higher revs. It makes the ride a lot smoother and the grin I permanently have on my face is testament to the pleasure it gives.

Try it, you'll love it