Zero faults.
By today's standards, this motorcycle is an old and heavy item. It never really was a popular bike with the bike journalists, always pulling it down, never showing it in the magazines.
Both the front and rear suspension can be adjusted by 3 ways - compound, rebound and damping, and when this is set up to suit the rider, it is an amazing piece of kit. In a rare article by Performance Bikes, they set up a Thunderace and were overtaking R1's on the outside of corners.
The engine is bullet proof, only needing oil and filter changes at specified intervals, spark plugs every blue moon, and valve clearances every other blue moon.
Once aboard and riding the Thunderace, it is remarkably nimble. I am 6 feet and 3 inches and even with the wife on the back, it is still easy to maneuver through town.
The national speed limit can easily be broken in first gear, and I am talking about the motorway speed limit here. 2nd will bring 100mph, 3rd brings 120 mph etc. There may be other newer bikes that easily beat that, but remember these bikes started out way back in 1996, 10 years ago, just imagine what bikes will do in the next 10 years compared to the so called dogs B's now.
Passengers are sat quite comfortably and are not perched on your shoulder like a parrot compared to other bikes.
I agree man, I've owned a 97 since new. It has 81000KM and it runs very good, but it's always using some oil. Even so, I wouldn't change it for an R1. I drove 99 and 03 R1s, and I think the Thunderace is a better bike than the R1 from 98 to 03, not to mention that is way more stable at high speeds and more comfortable. I occasionally do 1000KM trips in one day.
Yarek from Ontario, Canada.
Again I agree, I own a 98 Thunder Ace. Two years ago I bought a 2003 R1 to replace the Thunder Ace, but the Thunder Ace did not get replaced; I kept it because it's so damn good. I just can't fault it.
I've had my 97 YZF 1000R from new here in the US(Only sold one year here). Must say it's tough to beat on trips, a limo by sport bike standards today, but I can ride all day on it - it has room to move around and laughs at speed and distance. I just would like some better mirrors and not see so much oil pumped out - it's always done this. Not changed out the clutch yet (42000 miles) but I suspect a Falicon upgrade will be in order next year.
Enjoy it!
Glyn.
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