Hello Everyone, New Thundercat owner

Hello Everyone

I recently passed my full A2 motorcycle licence and managed to convince my dad to give me his thundercat (he has three bikes so im sure he will cope)

Anyway im use to riding a CBR 125 and this will be my first ride on anything larger so i am a bit weary. Any tips on riding a larger bike?The Cat is a 1997 with yellow/silver paint job.

We are having a bit of trouble applying the restrictor washers to restrict the bike to 33bhp, but i will post more about this in the workshop section. If you know how to restrict this bike or have heard of similar problems can you please see my post in the workshop.

Cheers all
Lewis

Hi and welcome to the forum, take it easy on the cat, as you said it is a much bigger bike and even restricted packs a wallop you won't believe after being on a 125cc.

Don't walk before you can run, as they say "you've passed your test now learn to ride", confidence will build with every ride and the cat is a very forgiving bike that will always help you in a jam but the best thing to do is be careful and avoid the jams!!

Happy riding.

As for the restrictor kit I think once the tank and air box is off the rest should become pretty self explainitary but I'm sure someone more technically minded will be along to put you straight.

Welcome to the forum mate.

My only advice to riding a bigger bike is just to simply take your time and learn as slowly as your patience will allow. Don't take any chances, if ever in doubt, take the easy option, back off. Yes, the Thundercat is a very forgiving bike but not as forgiving as any lightweight 125 out there that you might be used to flinging around.

Enjoy the bike and the forum, ride safe.

Hello and welcome to the forum mate

...I am local to you (Southampton) and what a great choice of colour cat you have, mine was silver but wrapped it black.

I can't help you with the restriction but I do know a bunch of other stuff about the cat so am happy to help otherwise. When your ready you can always join me on a ride out

Ride safe

Paul

Thanks for the advice guys, and yes i plan to start slow on roads i know etc
Cheers Paul, but at the moment i am currently based in Plymouth for uni.

I plan to take care at first but soon i will need to the bike to use for commuting to padstow and back a few times a week. About an hour each way.

Hi,

Just enjoy, the bike and the forum.

Ellie's was restricted but I don't know if it was done befroe she had the bike.

Anyway, as already said you will definitely see the differemce in performance and weight. The cat is a bit of a lump to move around without the engine going but when its running... you'll see.

A dad with 3 bikes. Bloody heaven.

Welcome aboard young man

I had mine restricted professionally because I didn't want any come back but it's one of the best bikes restricted. I had 2 great years on it learning to ride and confidence building as I was very new to it all.

Hi Lewis

Welcome aboard.
Is your dad on this site too? Sounds like you owe him a pint or two.
Interesting sitename - is there a story?

Trust you'll enjoy your new bike.

Tips for riding a big bike....Same as riding a small one expect it is much heavier so unless you are a powerhouse giant be wary of where you stop and have to put your foot down.
Oh and they can go much faster and get there much quicker.
While this has the potential to get you out of trouble this can certainly get you into it so be gentle and learn exactly how she behaves.

Take care and enjoy.

Cheers
Rosco

OMG Yellow

Hi Lewis and welcome. Good luck with getting the restrictors fitted.

Your hour commute will give you chance to get used to the bike. Take it easy and enjoy.

No stories about the name, just my second name stands out a bit lol
My dad was not on this site, he used a thundercat to get use to left leg gear changing again as he had an accident on a Suzuki bandit few years back and broke his leg in a few places, so since then he has bought some old English bikes, he started to restore them but kept getting distracted by the cat so decided to give it to me so he can to continue to work on the Enfield and Norton with no distractions!

I heard cornering on a larger bike is different to what id be use to?

Hi lewis

cornering on a bigger bike i have found is different, mainly due to :
- being able to carry more speed through the corners
- better brakes meaning you stop sooner, so can brake later
- the torque of the cat engine I find means I am not up and down the gear box as much as I was on both 125 and 500cc bikes
- I found the thundercat chassis to be much more flexible than my previous bikes so the bike leans more in the corners

These are just a few things I have noted in my progression with bikes, as a few have said the cat is a very forgiving bike and does a lot of the work for you.
I found as long as you look where you want to go round the corner the cat will get you round now problem at all. Just start at a slower pace/something you feel completely comfortable with and your confidence will grow from there.

Dave

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy the Cat there's nothing wrong with them except the headlight. As for a bigger bike just start slow and work up to speed. On the road you'll be using, the restrictors will not effect you to much other than the day you get a little to cocky on a overtake and the bike hits the restrictors at about 7000rpm at which point it all slows down and a little bit tighter than you would like, that's when things get a little bit nervious. The wifes Fazer had restrictors and on the ride to and fro work it was no different to the Cat untill I tried the tight snappy overtakes and it would just run out of steam . Just remember the fun starts in 2 years time when the restrictors come out. On the subject of your journey be a little careful in Plymouth it has a bad name for bike accidents for some reason.

If you're in the area on Sunday June 10th. Ride up to Lee Mill Industral Estate for 08:30 and watch the Plymouth Mega Ride.

http://www.plymouthmegaride.co.uk/index.html

Hello Lewis & Welcome to the forum

not far from Glasgow..
take a look
MAP

Hi and welcome Lewis

Cheers
Billy