1999 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat

Summary:

Beware of 2nd gear issue

Faults:

2nd gear goes out prematurely. When you're rebuilding the transmission, you'll have to replace both 2nd and 5th gear, since they're meshed together. Besides that gear issue, everything is great and reliable.

General Comments:

If you want to purchase this, make sure the 2nd gear is updated.

Comfy for a sports bike. Can do 7+ hours in a day. Bike is very heavy.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2022

2004 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat

Summary:

This is one hella cool bike for a comfortable yet sporty ride

Faults:

Replaced the chain, brakes, and tires. When doing the chain, I noticed that it must have broken a chain at some point in its life, because it ripped right into the front sprocket cover and someone half assed it back on before I got it.

My biggest problem, which seems to be a unanimous complaint, is when riding in slow traffic or stop and go traffic, it really gets hot and doesn't like to sit still. I've tried everything I know of to get her to keep her cool, but the Thundercat wants to GO, GO, GO!!!! Then she calms right down to the quarter point on the temp gauge.

General Comments:

This is my daily commute and my only transportation. I live in Tijuana Mexico and I cross the busiest land port in the world every day. My daily round trip in miles is around 65 or 70. It was a 10 year newer upgrade from my 94 Ninja 600R, which is Kawasaki's version of this YZF. Much, much more power, and the top end blows away the Ninja. It handles like a dream in the twists, and did I mention it likes to GO, GO, GO! It's hard not to just twist open the throttle and let her rip from about 60 mph, and watch the tach shoot up to around 11 or 12 and hear her scream with an aftermarket pipe. Man it's a great bike overall.

It definitely isn't an R6, but will keep you much more comfortable and keeps a bit more cash in your pocket too. One good upgrade is to swap out the rear sprocket to something a bit bigger, and she will stand straight up for you quick. And then she launches like a rocket on the launch pad.

Definitely recommend this bike to anyone wanting a bit more comfort than what R's offer, who still wants to keep up through the twists.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2015