Well, since i sold the FZ6 in my shed, that was set up for touring, and 2 up duties, i really havent had a suitable bike to take the Lady in my life for a decent bike ride....my black FZ6 has no pillion seat, and the pillion seat on my TRX850 is pretty much a devise of torture for unsuspecting pillion's...so much so, that the missus has only been on it twice, and refuses to get back on the bike!
So i have been on the lookout for a "new" touring steed, that wont bust my budget, but will eat up long distances wit ease, and comfort for both me and my pillion!
I didnt want to get a full on touring bike, as i think that would bore me to tears, so it was all about finding a bike that can match it with most bikes in the twisties, whilst still maintaining a level of comfort that will allow me to ride 800km day's in relative comfort....
So, it was Sports Tourer search time...you know, CBR1100XX's.....great bike, but let down by real basic, non adjustable suspension...or a Kawazaki ZX12R, great bike, but just a bit too sports in it's seating arrangements, or a BMW K1200RS, a awesome bike, but just a little too practical for my liking, and a little more expensive than it's japanese competition, to buy into...even secondhand!
Then i thought about Yamaha's much under-rated YZF1000R Thunderace...largely forgotten, as it is wedged inbetween the pure sports FZR1000 EXUP, and the ground breaking YZF-R1 in it's Yamaha Lineage.... the Thunderace is a stop gap bike, that wasnt quite all out sports, but was still blindingly fast, and in the end, a damn fine sports tourer!!!
So it was off in search of a decently priced Thunderrace!!!
Well i found one! A 1996 model (the first), in the clours i like, Red, White & Black, for half the price that a secondhand FZ6 would set me back in Australia!
I have found myself a 145hp Thunderace, with fully adjustable rear shock, fully adjustable 48mm front forks, YZF750R frame, big fat rider and pillion seat, luggage rack, etc, etc..
The one i have found is 1400km from home, but it is the right price, has only done 58000km's, and is pretty much bog stock standard, except for a luggage rack, a de-baffled OEM pipe, and shorter gearing via a smaller front sprocket....
Humpy (Forum Member) got a mate to go check it out for me, and it seems that the bike is everything that the seller says it is....It has a few minor scratches, and a couple of small cracks in the left side fairing, from a stationary drop, some years ago, but the engine sounds strong, and quiet, and the general condition of the bike is good for it's age...
Anyway, i am off to Sydney next week on a plane, to pick the thing up and ride it back home....
Here is a picture of the bike in question....not the actual bike i am buying, cause the photo's i have of that bike are not the best....
View attachment 40917
Here is the spec sheet for the bike....
Yamaha YZF Thunder ace 1000 R 2000: technical specifications
cant freaking wait to get my grubby little hands on the thing!
:rockon:
So i have been on the lookout for a "new" touring steed, that wont bust my budget, but will eat up long distances wit ease, and comfort for both me and my pillion!
I didnt want to get a full on touring bike, as i think that would bore me to tears, so it was all about finding a bike that can match it with most bikes in the twisties, whilst still maintaining a level of comfort that will allow me to ride 800km day's in relative comfort....
So, it was Sports Tourer search time...you know, CBR1100XX's.....great bike, but let down by real basic, non adjustable suspension...or a Kawazaki ZX12R, great bike, but just a bit too sports in it's seating arrangements, or a BMW K1200RS, a awesome bike, but just a little too practical for my liking, and a little more expensive than it's japanese competition, to buy into...even secondhand!
Then i thought about Yamaha's much under-rated YZF1000R Thunderace...largely forgotten, as it is wedged inbetween the pure sports FZR1000 EXUP, and the ground breaking YZF-R1 in it's Yamaha Lineage.... the Thunderace is a stop gap bike, that wasnt quite all out sports, but was still blindingly fast, and in the end, a damn fine sports tourer!!!
So it was off in search of a decently priced Thunderrace!!!
Well i found one! A 1996 model (the first), in the clours i like, Red, White & Black, for half the price that a secondhand FZ6 would set me back in Australia!
I have found myself a 145hp Thunderace, with fully adjustable rear shock, fully adjustable 48mm front forks, YZF750R frame, big fat rider and pillion seat, luggage rack, etc, etc..
The one i have found is 1400km from home, but it is the right price, has only done 58000km's, and is pretty much bog stock standard, except for a luggage rack, a de-baffled OEM pipe, and shorter gearing via a smaller front sprocket....
Humpy (Forum Member) got a mate to go check it out for me, and it seems that the bike is everything that the seller says it is....It has a few minor scratches, and a couple of small cracks in the left side fairing, from a stationary drop, some years ago, but the engine sounds strong, and quiet, and the general condition of the bike is good for it's age...
Anyway, i am off to Sydney next week on a plane, to pick the thing up and ride it back home....
Here is a picture of the bike in question....not the actual bike i am buying, cause the photo's i have of that bike are not the best....
View attachment 40917
Here is the spec sheet for the bike....
Yamaha YZF Thunder ace 1000 R 2000: technical specifications
cant freaking wait to get my grubby little hands on the thing!
:rockon:
