thundercat vs Fazer

[Punkstig]

They are definitely prone to a gearbox problem, but can't remember exactly what - we had one sitting round the workshop at the last bike shop I worked in (belonged to the shop) for months because we just didn't have the time to strip it down.

I only had 2nd gear probs on my 120,000 miler,

They were never that big a seller to be honest, around that period in the 90s most people went for the CBR600F if they wanted a practical bike, or the GSXR/Ninja if they wanted a bit more of a nutter - the Thundercat was seen as a bit of an overweight middleground, shame really as its one of the last proper 600 sports bikes that you could do absolutely everything on!

The FZS 6 on the other hand was a bloody well selling bike throughout its entire life time, was still selling well before it was forced out by the FZ6 due to emissions laws!

I think at the time Honda was winning everything which is why the cbr won sales, I was quite surprised when I read earlier this year there was only 2000 thundercats left in the uk.
Funnily I always found 2nd hand parts more valuable for the fazer than the cat

[Slaninar]

[size=78%]Exactly Nick,[/size]
Funnily enough I was thinking the other day isn't it strange that there's a few of us out there making our 'comfortable' sports tourer more sporty, then you have the likes of sports bike riders doing the opposite when doing the streetfighter thing!

In Serbia,
a streetfighter = wracked sportsbike that owner couldn't afford to change fairings, and/or instruments, lights.


a sports-tourer = not enough money for a decent GSXR, or an R6/R1 (since roads are so bad that you need an enduro bike for real touring)


a sports bike = puberty (chicks magnet), or midlife crisis, since there really aren't any roads good enough for riding sports bike like it should be ridden, and a few race tracks in Serbia are just good for carting cars, or perhaps a super-moto style riding


a super-moto bike = (ex) racers that really can ride well and fast


enduro bike = what would be an averaga sports-tourer user in Germany, or a weed loving hippie - depending on the age and model of the bike. 

[mr self destruct]

People should stop thinking the bikes share this and share that, they don't, there's probably a handful of things at most.

It's all an urban myth created by Haynes because they couldn't be arsed to publish two separate manuals.

[Punkstig]

People should stop thinking the bikes share this and share that, they don't, there's probably a handful of things at most.

It's all an urban myth created by Haynes because they couldn't be arsed to publish two separate manuals.

Hey I'm happy with Haynes, I've had 2 fazers and 2 Tcat's, but only one manual required, win!

[loadeddice]

Interesting thread this. I owned two T/cats back in 98 & 99. Yes, they were not the most sought after 'sportsbike' as the other makes always attracted more attention. Looks were another factor, T/cat was different. Whilst owning the T/cat I also rode friends Honda CBR6's. I far prefered T/cat for a number of reasons. Comfort, midrange, airbox sound & more. Just a shame the frame was steel, not ali. I then went on to acquire a ZX6R as it was lighter, but not better! I still have my ZX6R but always hanker after a T/cat again.
Comparing my T/cats with my existing Fazer 600, well it's not a fair comparison. As you would expect, Tcat has more power & far better suspension. But they are different & made for different tasks. Both excellent bikes.
 
 

[Punkstig]

Just a shame the frame was steel, not ali. excellent bikes.

Thundercats have an Aluminium alloy frame!

[Motorbreath]

No, they haven't. I think even the swing arm is steel. They weigh almost as much as Aces because of it.

[JoeRock]

Just a shame the frame was steel, not ali. excellent bikes.

Thundercats have an Aluminium alloy frame!

Sorry Stig, but I'd always thought it was a deltabox steel frame too?

[Punkstig]

I was going by the Haynes manual, you trying to say they lied to me about this?


I thought Haynes was gospel and no one ever questioned it,
Like in order to change the rear wheel spindle the front fairing, headlight unit and carburettors must first be removed!


Everyone does that, right? I mean that's why it's £400 to change a rear tyre!


Apologies, I'd never questioned the history I'd read!

[loadeddice]

Ooops, have I started something here...? I'm pretty sure both my T/cats were steel as rust appeared when scratched, (both mine were damaged repairables-Yamaha bike link insurance sell off). I'm prepared to be corrected of course. Maybe the later examples were ali...? Mine were 97 & 98 models.

[Punkstig]

/\ sarcasm never comes across that well in text!

[Motorbreath]

I was going by the Haynes manual, you trying to say they lied to me about this?


I thought Haynes was gospel and no one ever questioned it,
Like in order to change the rear wheel spindle the front fairing, headlight unit and carburettors must first be removed!


Everyone does that, right? I mean that's why it's £400 to change a rear tyre!


Apologies, I'd never questioned the history I'd read!

Haynes also has a wrong schematic picture for the fazer forks, from a different bike. Worse: the fork schematic of the 2000 Yamaha supplemetary manual misses a part.
The only place to find right a 2000- fazer fork is the parts catalogue 

[wezdavo]

According to wiki its steel deltabox...
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YZF600R

[paulchucky]

gentlemen i have only 1 thing to say on this matter


a few quid makes a FAZER what it needs to be ! ! !

[unfazed]

A friend had a Thundercat a few years ago and the Fazer was faster 50 to 80 mph, but over 80mph the Thundercat would fly.
Any part number beginning with 4TV for the fazer is a Thunder cat part number and many of the gears and main shaft in the fazer gearbox are 4TV including 2nd gear

To put the record straight as regards the power output see below specification as per Yamaha Brochure for both,  there was no change in the quoted power output throughout the life of either. Power quoted is metric HP

[kebab19]

Interesting...36mm vs 33mm carbs, and all for a claimed 5hp extra, not much difference at all.

Am thinking now that because the T'cat had both a steel frame and swingarm, the claimed 187kg dry weight is sheer fiction...
Can anyone confirm whether the Fazer is actually 189kg dry / 210kg wet?

[unfazed]

Official figures are:

Fazer 600
1998-1999 Weight with oil and Full tank is 210Kg

2000-2001 Weight with oil and Full tank is 212Kg

2002-2003 Weight with oil and Full tank is 214Kg

Difference between the 600s is most likely due larger capacity Tank, cannot really see any other reason

Fazer 400
1997-1998 Weight with oil and Full tank is 199Kg
Some differences which would change the weight, No grab rail, smaller carbs, smaller pistons, no oil cooler, no fuel pump, smaller chain and sprockets

[misterjayb1]

Had a '96 Cat.. Not sure how they got the 187kg dry weight figure? .. Wow you wouldnt want one landing on ya toe 

[JZS 600]

All I know is: I enjoy riding my Foxeye more than my VFR 12... (no, really)


In fact I'm keeping the Foxeye, selling the Viffer and getting a MT-09 Tracer to replace it

[Panzerbuilder]

Nice interesting discussion.

I'm in the process of selling my Tcat, that I've had for 6 years and 26k miles, and can confirm that the frame and swing arm are steel. Which does make it a heavy thing.
The Fz1S that I have just bought is a lot easier to man handle into and out of the garage. The riding position is a lot better as well, now I'm getting on a bit. 

Loved the Tcat though, unfortunately she has to go. 

[hotmetal]

I still feel nostalgic about my old FZR600R fox eye. A better looking older brother of the 'Cat (but lacked the blue spot calipers, though they bolt straight on). My mate has still got his.

[paulchucky]

i`ve had my boxeye for  over 4 years now   had cbr , gsxr ,zx6r ,bandit6, and a zzr600 in past  (i have short legs)  never had a cat  but found that even as standard the fazer is alot better than a bandit speed and handling,  i did the piggy back gen 1 rear shock mod and thicker oil and spacers in front legs a couple years ago which made a big difference, then last year r6 rear + some different front springs (cheers jeff) kebab )) spent time tweeking and fidling to get a happy set up  now handles great gearing is down 1 on front up 1 on rear  goes like a rocket pulls out of corners like a misile and is well planted  it shows alot of bigger stuff up !  went to germany last year and on autobounds saw 140+ and still had some left
but im not interested in top end 0-ton is more fun and to be honest spend more time 60-120mph  where its fun and carving corners is just a delight and at end of day when all mates backs and wrists are aching etc "i`m just chilled" 
  oh n i got £1500 in her not  £7k + like the plastic rocket crew