Hi all

Hi folks well I have just put deposit down on a 1997 Thundercat as I needed a lighter bike to ride due to an ongoing knee problem. My previous bike was an FJ1200. I looked around and found that most people rated the Thundercat. Also the price range for these is right up my street! I have joined because I also join the FJ Owners club when I owned the FJ and found it to be very useful.

Now I am just waiting for the bike which should be ready 1st Week November

Hope to get into some discussions with you in the future and maybe (work/kids comittments allowing) meet up for some ride outs.

Cheers

NFB_THUNDER

Welcome aboard

Hello, welcome and congrats on choosing he 'Cat!! Enjoy

Welcome to the site

Hi - you made a great choice - I have had my 2001 Cat since this July and am really pleased with it.

Welcome to the forum
Suzie

Hi & Welcome

Hey & welcome to the gang.

Just to say thanks all for the welcome

Just hope that when I get the Thundercat that the weather is good for me to get to know her! Don't get me wrong I have been riding for years and in all sorts of weather. It's just better to get an idea of how it responds in the dry before the wet. As this will have been may first bike that I have to rev harder as the smallest I had ridden before was 900cc. But according to the write ups the torque on the Thundercat is pretty good. Also not the lightest of indiviuals 19st

I shall be like this for the next couple of weeks waiting

And when she arrives? Well........

Thanks again for the welcome

Welcome & hello.

I'm sure the Tcat will cope with everything you throw at her.

Based on the evidence from big Mac the Tcat can keep up with most modern day bikes, even when 2 up. (not me by the way)

I hope the days dont drag too much.

NFB_THUNDER wrote:I have to rev harder

You'll find you'll use the gearbox a lot more.
The has amazed a few people who do not know them, due to their size, folk often mistake them for a litre machine

Hi Stevecat,

The size of the bike was one of the reasons I went for the T'cat as I would look a bit silly purched on top of some of the smaller 600's! I am looking forward to using the gearbox a bit more as it will be a new experience for me Just really looking forward to getting out for a while as the old FJ's have had me spending more time in the garage fixing than riding!

Cheers

NFB_Thunder

NFB_THUNDER wrote:Hi Stevecat,

The size of the bike was one of the reasons I went for the T'cat as I would look a bit silly purched on top of some of the smaller 600's! I am looking forward to using the gearbox a bit more as it will be a new experience for me Just really looking forward to getting out for a while as the old FJ's have had me spending more time in the garage fixing than riding!

Cheers

NFB_Thunder

umm! maybe I should get some shut eye :sleep: as I have just noticed a typo! Purched should be Perched DOH!

Hi NFB

Is is NFB text speak????

I weigh 15st (17 with all the bike gear on !!!) and my pillion is about 12 stone and I must admit the cat doesn't complain nor does it feel sluggish in any way.

I'm sure you'll get on just fine.

Since you've had lots of experience of bigger bikes it would be good to hear back how you rate / compare it.

You'll hate the headlight, mirrors and dashbulb life but these can be improved/replaced.

Cheers
Rosco

Rosco wrote:Hi NFB

Is is NFB text speak????

I weigh 15st (17 with all the bike gear on !!!) and my pillion is about 12 stone and I must admit the cat doesn't complain nor does it feel sluggish in any way.

I'm sure you'll get on just fine.

Since you've had lots of experience of bigger bikes it would be good to hear back how you rate / compare it.

You'll hate the headlight, mirrors and dashbulb life but these can be improved/replaced.

Cheers
Rosco

TEXT SPEAK!

No the NFB Stands for WAIT FOR IT! Norfolk Fat Boy! Ta Da!

Hi there , welcome , the Cat is a great bike you won't be disappointed . Shame you can't ride your FJR anymore that to is a fab bike from what I've read . It was a bike I was considering on buying as I do a lot of commuting but as first bike I thought it was a bit of a big step up (quite literally lin my case )

espaceman3 wrote:Hi there , welcome , the Cat is a great bike you won't be disappointed . Shame you can't ride your FJR anymore that to is a fab bike from what I've read . It was a bike I was considering on buying as I do a lot of commuting but as first bike I thought it was a bit of a big step up (quite literally lin my case )

I'm sure the Cat will do all I need it to do and more, As for the FJR I wish! I had it predecessor the mighty FJ1200 this was a tall order for the FJR to compete as the FJ also gained a good reputation as a blinding bike! But with her weight of roughly 290Kgs she is a bit heavy even though alot of her weight is low down. Also even with it's weight it was rather quick too. 0-60 mph in just 2.6 secs YES 2.6! This was from a bike that was produced back in the eighties! But hey it's time to move on and because of the knee issue and the fact the bikes are getting on a bit and I seem to spend more time fixing than riding I had made this move to the Cat.

Don't get me wrong I also think the FJR is a superb bike as well and maybe would have been my next choice if not for the knee.

Oh sorry , I read it as FJR !! Nothing wrong with 80's bikes , my other bike is a modded up vmax 1200 , which has it's origins in the 1980s , in fact I don't think thet ever changed the engine until the 1700cc was brought out two years ago !

espaceman3 wrote:Oh sorry , I read it as FJR !! Nothing wrong with 80's bikes , my other bike is a modded up vmax 1200 , which has it's origins in the 1980s , in fact I don't think thet ever changed the engine until the 1700cc was brought out two years ago !

Well why change something that works. I also had a Honda Blackbird very capable bike indeed..
and I think Honda have come up against the same problem how do you improve on something that people think is pretty good already thus the Blackbird has been discontinued and there is no sniffs of a replacement anytime soon. Oh unless you count the VFR1200 arghh!!! run away That's just not nice!!!