Yamaha YZF 600 Thundercat Review – Specifications and Reviews

Yamaha YZF600R sports motorcycle model

appeared in 1995 and actually represented the last generation of the Yamaha FZR 600, inheriting from it the appearance, frame, engine, gearbox and suspension elements.
In 1996, the model received significant visual changes, some technical updates, and added the name Thundercat
to the name (the corresponding name was printed on the plastic). For the purposes of this review, we will only consider the second generation of the Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat, since the first is actually the Yamaha FZR600.

In 1998, a completely new model was offered based on the Thundercat - the Yamaha YZF-R6. It received the status of the flagship sports model in the 600cc class, and the Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat began to position itself as a sports tourer.

The Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat is based on an in-line 4-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 599 cm³, producing up to 100 hp. power and up to 66 Nm of torque. Maximum performance is at 9500-11500 rpm.

Other features of the model include a Deltabox steel frame, adjustable suspension, 6-speed gearbox, 19-liter fuel tank, powerful 4-piston Nissin Sumitomo front brakes and 212 kg curb weight.

2007 was the last year of production of the model, after which it disappeared from the Yamaha line of sports motorcycles and did not receive further development. Throughout its history, the model has undergone virtually no significant technical changes, being successfully sold in the European and American markets.

The main competitors of the Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat in the class:

• Honda CBR600F2/F3 | Honda VFR750F
• Kawasaki ZZ-R600
• Suzuki RF 600

Brief history of the model

• 1995 - start of production and sales of the model.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (1st generation) (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4NA1, 4NC1, 4ND1, 4NE1.

• 1996 - parallel to the 1st generation, the 2nd generation of the model appears on the market. Last year of production of the first generation.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (1st generation);
Yamaha Thundercat 600 (II generation) (Europe, North America). Factory designation
: 4NA2, 4NC2, 4ND2, 4NE2; 4TV1, 4TV2, 4WD1, 4WE1, 4WF1.

• 1997 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4EW2, 4TV3, 4WE2, 4WF2, 5AH1, 5AH2.

• 1998 - black muffler, modified rear shock absorber adjustment (5 positions instead of 20).

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4TV5, 4TV6, 4WD3, 4WE3, 4WF3, 5AH3, 5AH4.

• 1999 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4TV7, 4TV8, 4WD4, 4WE4, 4WF4, 5AH5, 5AH6.

• 2000 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4TV9, 4TVA, 4WD5, 4WE5, 4WF5, 5AH7, 5AH8.

• 2001 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4TVB, 4TVC, 4WD6, 4WE6, 4WF6, 5AH9, 5AHA.

• 2002 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4TVD, 4WD7, 4WE7, 4WF7, 5AHB, 5AHC.

• 2003 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4WF8, 5AHD, 5AHE.

• 2004 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4WF9, 5AHF, 5AHG.

• 2005 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4WFA, 5AHH, 5AHJ.

• 2006 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4WFB, 5AHK, 5AHL.

• 2007 is the last year of production.

Model

: Yamaha Thundercat 600 (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4WFC, 5AHM, 5AHN.

What is Thundercat like now?

The YZF600R Thundercat is a great sportbike for both everyday and weekend bikers, both city and touring, still popular today despite being discontinued 15 years ago.

We received a 1997 model for review, which made a modest 72 thousand over its 21-year life. She is still cheerful, cheerful and attractive.

The seating position is more “in it” than “on it”, spacious and comfortable. Excellent wind protection thanks to the high black windshield and surprisingly comfortable clip-ons make this bike the perfect mile-eater.

Specifications

Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat Specifications:

Dimensions and weight

The reviews mention that, due to the heavy weight, the motorcycle needs a little help from the body when entering turns, but this does not take into account that the Thundercat is a sports model, and for them, tilting the body in a turn is an axiom.

If you realize that this is, after all, a sport-tourist, and not a sportbike, and slow down the pace a little, then you can take turns while sitting upright and without straining.

Weight:

• equipped - 212 kg ;
• dry - 187 kg .

External parameters:

• length - 2058 mm;
• width - 713 mm;
• height - 1188 mm;
• on the saddle - 800 mm;
• wheelbase - 1413 mm;
• ground clearance - 133 mm.

It is worth noting that these are second generation parameters. In almost all respects the motorcycle has “grown”.

Reviews

Reviews about Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat:

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This is the best moto, price - quality. I advise everyone. I had the 2002 for a few years and recently got the 2006. 2006 - steers and handles like a bicycle with a motor.

To me, accustomed to “liters” and volumes of more than one, at first it seemed that this motor did not have enough traction, but as the engine revved up I felt the power and torque increase. In 600cc engines, the upper rev limit goes up to 13,000 without a redline, and as you approach this limit, the motorcycle's response to the throttle becomes increasingly sharp. If the “liter” easily accelerates in any gear from almost any speed, even at the highest, then it is advisable to keep our “cat” within the range from 6,000 to 10,000 rpm - it is in this range that peak engine power is achieved. There is virtually no vibration in the inline 4-cylinder engine. I definitely don't feel them. In a stream of cars, a light animal dashingly jumps into the aisles, and with a good margin of distance from the rear-view mirrors of cars. I “play” with the gearbox: up - from a traffic light and down, with a shift in the throttle - when I approach a new traffic jam. The gears are engaged atypically for Yamaha - clearly, without crunching or accidentally falling into neutral between first and second.

In dense city traffic, the brakes actually saved the day a couple of times: I had to slow down in front of a car that suddenly cut me off. Well, I'll tell you!..

I waved my fist at the bungling driver and drove on. Sumitomo monolithic brake calipers with proprietary friction pads have proven themselves excellent in the world of motorsports, and then showed absolute reliability on the production model of the motorcycle. Four-piston calipers with different piston diameters, which have become a family heritage of the YZF family, are an amazingly sensitive mechanism: the slightest press on the brake lever - the bike instantly slows down.

ThunderCat is worthy of itself as a sports tourist! It is maneuverable and has enough power for people who love sports tourists, with a derated engine from the R6. It can take any turns with full confidence! When you sit on it, you just begin to feel how you merge with it and you begin to understand each other right away. For me, this is one of the best sports tourists of all time!

Driving performance

If you keep the revs at medium values, the motorcycle can reach 180 km/h, with a good reserve of power. The maximum stated speed is 280 km/h.

But according to the pilots, the estimate is too high. Maximum - 240 km/h, but even then there was a reserve

Acceleration from zero to 100 km - 3.4 seconds.

Fuel consumption

Consumption when driving in a cruiser is 5 liters. The exact numbers depend on your riding style. They can exceed the 6 liter mark.

What is the rubber like?

It is equipped with Bridgestone Battlax BT-021 tires, which provided excellent grip during my short ride. True, they are too touring to explore the sporty side of this bike. Unfortunately, the impression was slightly spoiled by the rear shock absorber, which damped poorly and seemed to need at least a rebuild. The bike literally squatted every time it was unscrewed.

Very convenient

For such a sporty motorcycle, the mirrors are simply excellent. Neither shoulders nor elbows are visible in them. With a height of 170 cm, the 805 mm seat height allows you to stand with both feet and feel confident when maneuvering at low speeds. True, a slightly slipping clutch, on the contrary, complicates this task. The relationship with sportbikes has not been in vain for the turning radius, making the task of turning around in one go extremely difficult.

This particular example cold starts without any extraneous rustling, squeaking or knocking noises, indicating that it has been well cared for. Traces of time - abrasions, scratches, corrosion - are minimal. The only thing that shows the age of the motorcycle is the replacement of the exhaust manifold, since the original ones rusted very quickly.

The anodized blue brake calipers work great on a bike of this size, and remain quite serviceable by today's standards. However, it is advisable to service them before winter storage to prevent sticking. The rear brake lever is too high to be comfortable and clearly needs to be adjusted.

Disadvantages of the model

1. If the suspension is incorrectly adjusted, discomfort occurs after an hour of driving.
2. The fairing system creates windage, which somewhat interferes with normal driving in strong crosswinds.
3. Unaccustomed to driving for a long time, your hands may become numb.

The Yamaha Thundercat 600 has proven itself as a tourist. Comfortable seating, good protection from wind and rain, and a spacious fuel tank allow you to travel long distances. The Yamaha yzf600r thundercat is versatile. By adjusting the suspension, it can be adapted to almost any operating conditions, with the exception of deep off-road conditions.

The motorcycle is perfect for driving around the city, for testing speed on the highway, and perfectly demonstrates its characteristics on the track. At speeds up to 8000, the Yamaha Thundercat 600 behaves like an ordinary tourist; at high speeds it demonstrates its aggressive character. Reviews of the Yamaha yzf600r thundercat are mostly positive. It is difficult to find a bike owner who would not like its versatility, which is revealed by adjusting the suspension. Power 100 hp Not enough for a sportbike, but the Yamaha Thundercat 600 does not belong to the sports category. This is a typical sports tourer that allows you to enjoy any riding conditions.

Advantages of the model

1. Aggressive sporty design. The fairings are made of high-quality plastic and reliably protect from rain and wind.
2. The engine is powerful. Works reliably and without interruption. Easy to care for.
3. Good acceleration dynamics.
4. Economical gas consumption. The power reserve is up to 400 km, which allows you to effectively use the motorcycle for touring trips.
5. Reliable adjustable suspension allows you to customize the motorcycle to any riding conditions.
6. Reliable brakes respond quickly to lever pressure.
7. A high level of comfort is ensured by a comfortable seating position, which is unusual for sportbikes, a well-placed steering wheel and an ergonomic seat.

Engine

The carbureted 600cc inline-4 engine produces a ton of torque and is particularly lively from mid-range and above. Thanks to the Viper exhaust, the motorcycle has a delicious sound. The torque is distributed linearly, but not boringly, the bike provokes you to twist harder when exiting each turn.

Is it worth buying?

This particular bike is great proof that live examples of the Yamaha Thundercat can still be purchased today. Everything works as it should, and the aftermarket modifications improve an already great bike. If you are ready for the fact that it is not new and bears traces of past years, then why not? This is a very versatile motorcycle, suitable for long trips, Sunday rides, and everyday city riding.