Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat Overview
If you’re in the market for a decent sports-tourer then check out the Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat. One of the most underrated machines on the market, Thundercat might be a big bike (weighing in at 187kg dry) but you’ll be able to flick it around effortlessly. There’s plenty of room on the touring side to ride 2-up and carry all the luggage you need for your weekend adventures. The larger fairings give you that extra bit of protection needed, especially if you’re a keen tourer.
First released in 1996, and in production for a solid 8 years, Yamaha hit the nail on the head when creating the Thundercat. Reknown for its perfect balance between tourer and sportsbike, you really can do both! It’s no wonder that Yamaha did hardly any noteable updates to this machine.
You can get your hands on a pre-owned Thundercat pretty easily these days, with the starting prices from around £2,000.
Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat Spec
| Weight |
187kg |
| Seat height |
805mm |
| Engine |
16v, inline-four |
| Capacity |
599cc |
| Average fuel consumption |
40mpg |
| Top speed |
145mph |
| Insurance group |
– |
Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat Gallery
Owner Reviews |
| Submitted by: | Q | Review Date: November 2017 |
Comfort | | Its a road/race style bike wich YAMAHA at the time put all their expertise into to beat HONDA. Not the most comfiest of rides, but if you want comfort buy a motorised armchair… if it's excitement & classic high revving exhilaration you want then get one of these… if you can still find one..? | | Ride Quality | | Its 23 years old and still going strong… in its day it was one of the best money could buy… technology has well surpassed her now but still going strong… accelerates well, smooth ride for its age, quite heavy compared to modern 600's but still corners quite well.. |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | Its a Yamaha…! Excellent build quality at the time of production… surpassed by modern bikes obviously… but how many of these modern machines will still be going strong in 23 years time..? |
| Engine Rating | | 99BHP @11500 RPM in 1994… probably lost a few of those horses now. But still pulls like a train.. |
| Brake Rating | | Brakes are twin vented discs on front with 4 pot caliper & single disc 2 pot caliper on the back. For a 23 year old they work well… upgraded the lines to colour coded HEL braided lines. Also upgraded the front calipers to Blue spot Calipers off an early R1.. |
| Running Cost | | £64 fully comp insurance… 140-180 miles to the tank… |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | Ive owned her for 8 years now and have never thought of selling her. I Love the way people always comment on how well she looks and sounds for being over 23 years old.. |
| Cons Comments | If only they'd made this frame and swing arm from aluminium like its layer counter part the R6. |
| Submitted by: | Mark | Review Date: June 2019 |
Comfort | | Seat is comfy | | Ride Quality | | Nice to ride |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | It's lasted 20 years |
| Engine Rating | | 100bhp |
| Brake Rating | | Fitted braided hoses |
| Running Cost | | 40mpg |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | Reliable and linear power curve, good as a first big bike. |
| Cons Comments | Headlight is poor, uprated bulb fitted. |
