Another new member!

Hi guys

Just joined but been reading for a little while. I found the forum whilst looking at what would be a good first bike (I only passed my test about a year ago). I'm currently riding Mrs BT's SV650S and avoiding the Kwak ER-5 that is slowly rotting in the garage! I find the SV a bit cramped being 6'1" and 16st (of muscle )

I'm looking to get a Thundercat as I've only heard good things about them (apart from the second gear problem - is this really that common?) and probably have about £1500-1800 to put towards it. Does this sound realistic?

I'm based in south Essex if anyone else is from around that way?

Look forward to talking to you all.

Cheers

BT

Hi and welcome BT, think there might be a couple of bikes for sale on the forum just now as well as all the usual places.

Cheers
Billy

Hello BT & Welcome to the Forum.

As billy says, have you looked in the Exchange & Mart Section of the forum ? Rampers has his bike up for sale at a good price . . . read his thread in this
Pipes23 also has/had his up on offer at this here

The amount you say you have to spend (if not tempted by Rampers or Pipes machines), will get you a very reasonable (if not close to top notch) Thundercat

Have a good snoop on the Bay of Fleas (ebay), and see how much they are going for and in what condition too. Also, as has been suggested by someone else on the forum, set your parameters to ended cat sales and see what they DID NOT go for.

The second gear thing is a bit of an urban myth. It has happened of course. But to put it in perspective, this forum (in various guises), has been going since 2001, and in all that time we have heard much of this second gear fault . . . . BUT, only had one CONFIRMED incidence of it occurring, our stretchie (still an active forum member), will be able to give you 1st hand knowledge.
Other than that, we've had one scare, and a couple of false alarms . . . Not bad in 12 years, especially with a constantly transient membership which hovers around the thousand plus number.

Once again . . . Have a real good shuffty around the old homestead, and hope you enjoy

Cheers
Tel

hi there BT and welcome.

not being quite as tall as you but weighing slightly more than you (again all muscle) I can vouch that the cat can handle as larger chaps no problem at all, as long as the suspension is in good working order, you can have it set up for you so it will always work well.

As billy says there are one or two bikes for sale on here I think, have a look in the personal classifieds section, there are also some good looking ones on ebay currently, though cant remember where in the country they were based. also try MCN and pistonheads.

I think you budget is a good one, you should be able to get a good example for that money and maybe even have some change left over to.

the second gear problem dos exist but haven't ever heard of a case of it on here, the gearbox is quite clunky as it is, but making sure the oil is changed regularly and that the chain is lubed and adjusted every 400-500 miles (I find thats best) then you shouldnt really have any problems with it.

good luck with the bike search and let us know how you get on

Dave

Hi and welcome.

You'll be able to find some good for your budget. Rampers put his up for sale today, might be worth a look and he not a million miles from you (well in London terms ).

I'm the same height and just a smidge over your weight (mine is pure fat though ) and find the 'Cat is purrfect.

There are some on here from your area. You close to some nice roads, I rather like the (twisty) road North from Chipping Ongar.

Hi & welcome to the forum

Hi and welcome to the forum, the cat is a great first bike whether you're an anorexic midget or more thickly set and taller, (as you'll see there seems to be one or two on here, myself included!!) the bike has plenty of front and rear suspension adjustment, plus can be highered or lowered to suit most.

Get out, try a couple on for size and with that budget you'll bag yourself a respectable cat no problems.

Good luck, make sure you stick around and hopefully we'll see you out on a ride out before long.

Don't think about getting a Thundercat, just go and do it, £1500 will get you a nice example, I paid £1300 (I think) with a 3 month warranty, yeah I like to haggle..... Superb bikes and 200 miles from a tank of fuel (If You ride sensible) I get about 140 oops

Damn, thanks for all the quick replies! I have been keeping my eye on eBay and Auto Trader. The ones I do find on AT seems to be quite overpriced compared to eBay... Although a lot of accident damaged ones seem to crop up on eBay. I'll be sure to check out the ones for sale on here, I think I'd be happier buying one that way rather than eBay...

Anyone got any experience on an SV650? Specifically the riding position? The mrs prefers quite an upright position on the bike (had a CBF-500 for a long time) and hates the SV's position. I seem to be able to adapt to most things I've tried so far...

Trying to find one locally at the moment so we can both have a go. Weather seems to be against us the last week or so!

Welcome to the forum. The Thundercat is an excellent bike. I am a fat b@st@rd and its copes with me well enough!

Good luck with the hunt.

2nd gear thing is an urban myth, Yamah often seem to design clunky gearbox's but they rarely break.

As others have said, keep the oill reasonably fresh and an on chain adjustment and lube and it should be fine.

Sorry don't know about the SV, you think it might be possible to put bar raisers on it?

The reason I mentioned my size, and I'm sure you figured it mainly in the tummy area, is I don't have an issue with that and the tank fighting for the same space. It does become an issue when I have the tank bag on though (bag moves forward and blocks the SatNav screen).

You probably know that the 'Cat riding position isn't as 'radical' as a newer sports bike, nor is it a 'sit up and beg' as is found on tourers etc

Possibly, although I think she's after something more like the CBF. Personally that sort of thing is no good for me, I generate a fair amount of wind resistance and I find it hard work at motorway speeds, same problem with the ER-5 I've got.

I like the position of the SV, not sure I fancy a full on sports bike 'lying down on the tank' position but something in between the two seems to suit me quite well.

You'll be right on with the obviously in the fastest colours tho,,,,,,red n white btw lol

Welcome aboard! Good luck with the purchase & get your Mrs on here, the more girlies the better!


Have a peep at this review to see if it helps, love the 'it moves like a scalded pussy' quote!


"Yamaha's YZF600R is one of today's best middleweights, but it is up against some tough competition. Honda's CBR600 has a huge following, and Kawasaki's ZX-6R is another top performer. The Thundercat even plays second fiddle in the performance stakes to Yam's own R6.
So why would anyone want to own a Thundercat? It's all about horses for courses. If you want one of the most focussed middleweight supersports, then the YZF-R6 is for you. But the R6 is too extreme for most riders who have to get to work on a wet and windy Monday morning after their trackday thrash. If you want a bike that's a brilliant all-rounder the Thundercat is a better buy.
Yamaha say that with over 92bhp on offer, the forward-slanting liquid-cooled four-cylinder motor is the most powerful and flexible 600 they've ever built for the street. The 24-valve engine (the same unit as fitted to the latest FZS600 Fazer) pumps out plenty of mid-range thrust for easy roll-on overtaking and delivers even quicker acceleration than the R6. Keep the engine spinning above 9000 and this Cat moves like a scalded pussy. Top speed is a touch over 160mph.
Yamaha say the Cat has a 'specially-developed low-fatigue riding position and super-slippery aerodynamic bodywork'. Which means the Cat is a lot more comfortable to ride if you want to cover long distances quickly. The Thundercat handles pretty good too, thanks to the super-stiff steel Deltabox chassis.
The brakes are some of the best available on a street bike, and come straight from the 175mph R1 after a short spell on the Superbike factory racers. Superbly engineered one-piece front brake calipers deliver enormous stopping power combined with bags of feel.
Some riders complain that the rear shock spring is too soft, but aftermarket replacements can be fitted for less than £80.
The Thundercat is a great all-rounder. And if your pillion passenger has any say in the matter, this is going to be your next 600"

There appears to be a few for sale on 'Gumtree', various mileage, condition etc.