Yamaha YZF 600 R Thunder cat (1997)

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The Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat was a popular motorcycle model produced in 1997. It had a 599cc, four-stroke engine with four cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder, as well as liquid cooling and a compression ratio of 12.0:1. The bike started electrically and had a maximum power of 72.9 kW / 100 hp at 11,500 rpm. It had a six-speed transmission and a 530 O-ring chain for final drive. The frame was a twin spar, steel delta box, and the front suspension was a 41 mm telescopic fork adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound damping. The rear suspension was a monoshock adjustable for preload, bump, and rebound. The front brakes had two 300 mm discs and four-piston calipers, while the rear brake had a single 245 mm disc and a two-piston caliper. The dimensions of the bike were Length 2060mm, width 754 mm, and height 1190 mm. The wet weight was 210 kg, and it had a fuel capacity of 19 liters. The average consumption was 6.1 L/100 km. The bike could do a standing quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 194.7 km/h and had a top speed of 246.8 km/h. A group test in Motosprint 1997 rated the Thundercat highly.

Technical specifications:

Make Model: Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat

Year: 1997


Engine: Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity: 599 cc / 36.5 cu-in
Bore x Stroke: 62 x 49.6 mm
Cooling System: Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Induction: 4 x 36 mm Keihin CV downdraft carburetors
Ignition: Digital TCI
Starting: Electric
Max Power: 72.9 kW / 100 hp @ 11500 rpm
Max Power Rear Tyre: 67.9 kW / 91.0 hp @ 11500 rpm
Max Torque: 65.7 Nm / 6.7 kgf-m / 48.7 lb-ft @ 9500 rpm
Transmission: 6 Speed
Final Drive: 530 O-ring chain OEM sprocket sizes per tooth Front= 15 Back= 47
Frame: Twin spar, steel, delta box
Front Suspension: 41 mm telescopic fork adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping

Front Wheel Travel: 130 mm / 5.1 in
Rear Suspension: Monoshock adjustable preload, bump and rebound
Rear Wheel Travel: 120 mm / 4.7 in
Front Brakes: 2x 300 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 245mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre: 120/60-17
Rear Tyre: 160/60-17
Rake: 25.0 degrees
Trail: 97 mm / 3.82 in
Dimensions: Length 2060mm / 81.1 in Width 754 mm / 29.6 in Height 1190 mm / 46.8 in
Wheelbase: 1415 mm / 55.7 in
Seat Height: 810 mm / 31.7 in
Ground Clearance: 135 mm / 5.3 in
Dry Weight: 189 kg / 417 lbs
Wet Weight: 210 kg / 463 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 19 Litres / 5.0 US gal / 4.2 Imp gal
Consumption Average: 6.1 L/100 km / 16.4 km/l / 38.6 US mpg / 46.3 Imp mpg
Braking 60 km/h – 0: 13.5 m / 44.3 ft
Braking 100 km/h – 0: 37.5 m / 123 ft
Standing 1/4 Mile: 11.3 sec / 194.7 km/h / 121 mph

Top Speed: 246.8 km/h / 153.3 mph
Road Test: Group Test Motosprint 1997

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