Sportbikes
2005Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat
48 fields on record
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat is a middleweight sport bike designed for riders seeking an affordable entry into sportbike ownership. Its 599cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine delivers accessible performance with reliable carbureted fuel delivery and a smooth six-speed transmission. Known for offering genuine sportbike handling and styling at a practical price point, it appeals to both newer riders and those prioritizing value over extreme power.
- Capacity
- 599.0 ccm
- Engine
- In-line four
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 186.9 kg
- Seat height
- 813 mm
- Power
- 98.0 HP (72.1 kW)
What’s new for the 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat
vs the 2004| Spec | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 236.0 km/h (146.6 mph) | not listed |
| Seat height | 840 mm (33.1 inches) | 813 mm (32.0 inches) |
| Front brakes | Dual disc | Double disc |
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built primarily for spirited road riding and trackday-style cornering rather than commuting or long-distance touring.
- Built for
- It rewards a rider who enjoys revving an in-line four hard through corners and values sharp, lightweight handling over plush comfort.
- Not ideal for
- It is not a good fit for new riders, taller comfort-seekers, or anyone wanting a relaxed all-day touring or off-road capable machine.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →62
out of 100Good
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 85.4% of the time, 3.4 points above expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 62% of models.
All years of this model: 33 / 100 (below average) from 1,588 tests.
85.4%Passed first time
9.2%Failed outright
5.4%Fixed during test
11,000Typical miles
185Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Score by year first registered
53
20
34
34
47
36
40
62
79
52
1995199619971998199920002004200520062007
Against its rivals · ranks 6 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda CBR600RR | 57 Average | 81,790 |
| 2 | Suzuki GSX-R750 | 47 Average | 145,807 |
| 3 | Yamaha YZF-R6 | 39 Below average | 146,823 |
| 4 | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | 37 Below average | 175,171 |
| 5 | Suzuki GSX-R600 | 35 Below average | 186,470 |
| 6 | Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat | 33 Below average | 1,588 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 599.0 ccm
- Power
- 98.0 HP (72.1 kW)
- Torque
- 66.0 Nm (6.7 kgf-m)
- Engine type
- In-line four
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.5243 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 62.0 x 49.6 mm
- Compression
- 12.0:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
- Ignition
- Digital TCI
- Valves per cylinder
- 4
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
- Clutch
- Mulit-plate
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1415 mm
- Overall length
- 2060 mm
- Overall width
- 724 mm
- Overall height
- 1191 mm
- Seat height
- 813 mm
- Dry weight
- 186.9 kg
- Wet weight
- 221.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 19.00 litres
Chassis & suspension
- Front suspension
- 41mm telescopic fork w/adj. preload, compression and rebound damping
- Rear suspension
- Single shock w/piggyback reservoir and adj. preload, compression and rebound damping
- Front wheel travel
- 130 mm
- Rear wheel travel
- 119 mm
- Rake (fork angle)
- 25.0°
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Double disc
- Front brakes diameter
- 298 mm
- Rear brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes diameter
- 245 mm
- Front tyre
- 120/60-ZR17
- Rear tyre
- 160/60-ZR17
Maintenance
- Tyre pressure (solo)
- Front 225 kPa (33 psi), rear 250 kPa (36 psi)
- Tyre pressure (two-up)
- Front 250 kPa (36 psi), rear 290 kPa (42 psi)
- Tyre pressure notes
- Solo: up to 90 kg (198 lb) load. Two-up: 90 kg to maximum load.
- Engine oil
- SAE 10W-30 or 20W-40, API SE or higher
- Oil change
- 2.60 litres
- Oil change with filter
- 2.90 litres
- Fuel grade
- Unleaded
- Battery
- YTX12-BS, 12 V 10.0 Ah
- Spark plug
- NGK CR9E or Denso U27ESR-N, gap 0.7-0.8 mm
- Coolant capacity
- 1.95 litres
- Brake fluid
- DOT 4
Other
- Color options
- Team Yamaha Blue/White, Liquid Silver
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1996 | 1999 | 2002 | 2004 | 2005 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 599 cc | 599 cc | 599 cc | 599 cc | 599 cc | 599 cc |
| Dry weight | 187 kg | 187 kg | 187 kg | 187 kg | 187 kg | 189 kg |
| Seat height | 810 mm | 795 mm | 805 mm | 840 mm | 813 mm | 805 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 19 L | 19 L | 19 L | 19 L | 19 L | 18.9 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | 20 Below average | 47 Average | Too few tests | 40 Average | 62 Good | 52 Average |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat?
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat has a Capacity of 599.0 ccm (36.55 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat have?
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat has a Power of 98.0 HP (72.1 kW).
How many gears does the Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat have?
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat?
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat has a Torque of 66.0 Nm (6.7 kgf-m or 48.7 ft.lbs).
How much does the Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat weigh?
The 2005 Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat has a Dry weight of 186.9 kg (412.0 pounds).
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