Paging the Thunderaceisti

Anyone ridden one of these back to back with a VFR800Fi and got a good
idea of how they compare?

I'm quite happy with the VFR (1), but I've still got a hankering for a
Thunderace, or at least I think I have going by what I've read about
them, as in they appear to have a bit more poke than an FZR1000 (one
of which really impressed me when I test rode it a while back)(2), but
with the added bonus of a riding position that the less vertically
challenged can tolerate.

My criteria for a bike is more 'toy' than 'purpose', but being 6'3"
and built with it, I'm still keep to be able to do more than 10 miles
without my backside going to sleep.

Not interested in 600s any more, as after the VFRs I've had I've found
the CBRs I've had at least, a bit too buzzy on the motorway.

I'm fully aware an 'ace will probably use a bit of oil and the EXUP
valve is likely to give aggro from time to time, but if the rest of it
is worth the hassle of that then given how little they seem to be
fetching at the moment (3) I'm tempted to make sure I at least get a
test ride on one in the near future.

(1) It initially took a bit of convincing, mind.
(2) Easily pleased, aren't I? I daren't try something much newer like
an R1 or GSXR 1000, lest I become hooked and *have* to buy one.
(3) It would appear from the bay of thieves, you can now pick these up
in decent nick and sensible miles for about £1400.

 

I'm 6'1" and was comfortable enough.

Not much hassle IMHO. Oil isn't that dear yet! Some exup valves are
trouble free. The others will benefit from some Exup juice (on Ebay or
from the Thunderace list). Again I wouldn't let it put you off if you
fancy an 'ace. Good choice.

 

I'm sure once I've been down the gym for another couple of months, the
backside issue will cease to exist anyway - I went through a phase
two / three years ago when every bike I had had the same effect and I
suddenly realised it was the pies and not the bikes that were the
problem.

Oh no, I agree... it's no hassle at all, and far less grief than
letting the engine go bang all for the sake of having to top the oil
up now and again, which appears to be what has happened with quite a
few of them in the past going by how many I've seen on eBay with blown
lumps.

Aye... well I need to test ride one really, having ridden to the test
ride on the VFR to get a proper comparison.

As I say, I do like the VFR, and given it's spent the bulk of the last
six years doing nothing in SteveHs garage (1), it's in pretty good
nick really... I just keep looking at Thunderaces and thinking maybe
they'd be that little bit more 'me' (2), than the VFR is.

(1) pPpP
(2) In other words I'd like more of a kick in the back when the real
power comes in.