I have recently been fortunate to have been bought an XJ600S Diversion by my dear wife (Bless her). She has known I've been after a bike since I sold my last one seven years ago. Previously I had had a Suzuki A100, a Honda H100S2 and a Suzuki GSX250. Maybe I'm getting old but my re-entry to ... Read review
Advantages: Excellent mid range starter bike Disadvantages: Not cutting edge
I have recently been fortunate to have been bought an XJ600S Diversion by my dear wife (Bless her). She has known I've been after a bike since I sold my last one seven years ago. Previously I had had a Suzuki A100, a Honda H100S2 and a Suzuki GSX250. Maybe I'm getting old but my re-entry to biking is with the midrange Diversion, something that some of my ZZR and FZR friends have looked down their noses at.
The bike I now have is a ... ...is the old model, with only a single front disk instead of the twin disks on later models. It has had two owners from new, neither of whom have used it in the wet. It has been serviced correctly and is in excellent condition. I was bought the bike primarily so we could go out for fun rides and as a fallback means of transport, not as a means of breaking the sound barrier.
The Diversion is often underrated as a motorcycle. It isn't ... more
I have recently been fortunate to have been bought an XJ600S Diversion by my dear wife (Bless her). She has known I've been after a bike since I sold my last one seven years ago. Previously I had had a Suzuki A100, a Honda H100S2 and a Suzuki GSX250. Maybe I'm getting old but my re-entry to biking is with the midrange Diversion, something that some of my ZZR and FZR friends have looked down their noses at.
The bike I now have is a P Reg with 8500 miles on it as such this is the old model, with only a single front disk instead of the twin disks on later models. It has had two owners from new, neither of whom have used it in the wet. It has been serviced correctly and is in excellent condition. I was bought the bike primarily so we could go out for fun rides and as a fallback means of transport, not as a means of breaking the sound barrier.
The Diversion is often underrated as a motorcycle. It isn't the most technologically advanced piece of machinery, and it's looks and performance aren't up there at the cutting edge. However, it is a good introduction to the mid range of motorcycling in the increasingly popular 500-600 cc bracket.
The bike has a full fairing, offering decent protection from the wind. The lights are clear and powerful. The mirrors are clear up to about 65, then start to vibrate, reducing rear visibility. The seating position is more upright than race replicas, and taller riders may find the peg location a bit awkward to start with. The seat itself is firm but comfortable, with a slight rise up to the pillion position. A pair of grab rails to either side of the tail piece complete the seating arrangements.
On solo riding the bike is fine, although the stretch to the non adjustable clutch lever is not ideal for smaller hands. The bike handles well and there is plenty of acceleration in top gear between 40 and 70 mph. Giving full throttle will lift the front wheel easily from the lower gears. The bike corners reasonably well, with more than enough grip for me. It has a reasonable lock to lock turning circle that makes town riding easy, and on open roads it can easily accelerate to 100+ and has more to go.
Two up the bike is good as well. It can easily cruise at 90+ (If my wife would let us), and the handling is pretty good. The pillion is not too much higher than the rider so they are not exposed to too much wind.
Overall the 600 Diversion is an excellent starter bike for those who don't need or want the full on "scream if you wanna go faster" of a race rep. Spare parts are cheaper and the lure for thieves is lower, as is insurance. It gets about 120 to 130 on a £9 tank of petrol.
Insurance from MAG is £285 Fully comp for somebody without any No Claims Bonus. This is for a 32 year old, garaged overnight and Datatag. Other quotes ranged from £340 to over £500.
I am really looking forward to the light summer nights!
Advantages: Good, solid, reliable commutor bike. Disadvantages: Not at all fast or flashy.
I bought an M reg Diversion with 16,000 miles on the clock, about 5 years ago. I use it as my only means of transport and ride it in all weathers. I must be every bike's worst nightmare - the bike is kept on the street, has never been serviced and eventually goes to the garage when the tyres are bald and the brake pads are down to the metal. (I am not proud of myself!)
Despite this appalling treatment, my Diversion has been very reliable and only ... ...lucky really)
I have taken my bike comfortably up to 95mph but it clearly has more power in it, and I don't even think about refilling the fuel tank until I hit 150miles. I know at that point I have another 20 miles to find a garage before needing to switch to reserve. I find the seating position on the Diversion one of the most comfortable I have tried - it's very upright, but with a great mid-way handlebar position (not up very high like a Harley). ...
angiegw 24.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
Advantages: Lightweight great fuel economy fun cheap to run cheap insurance Disadvantages: exhaust front brakes
...f you go to your yamaha / local bike dealer and get them to do it for you but if you can afford a few tools and an hour or 2 then doing it yourself saves the £40 or so per hour labour charges. you can also 9/10 weld the exhaust where it had rotted and this is usually good for another few years but my advise would be do both pipes at the same time. the exhaust being the biggest downfall of this bike the only real other one is the front brakes. Dont ... ...to stopping you safely and quickl;y but be warned that when/if you park up your bike for more than a fortnight or so without a really good clean down you may find that the front brake needs stripped down and cleaned/lubricated. This again is not a big task as if you have some allen keys and wd40 along with some copper grease (motor store will supply this) you are able to do this without any tough problems. If ou decide to remove the caliper and push ...
kb277 09.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
Advantages: Genuine all round bike, fun to ride, easy to live with, cheap to run, reliable, good tourer Disadvantages: Might be a little boring for some of you? Very tall seat.
...motorcycle complete with the official Yamaha Diversion Hard Panniers and a medium sized Shad top box (Big enough for a full faced helmet and a bit more). The bike is not quite standard in that apart from the luggage it has a taller smoked screen fitted (which is nice because I am tall). So on to the ride, I find the bike light to ride and fairly nimble the engine is nice and responsive with a decent amount of torque and that lovely smooth shaft drive. ... ...ownership, Suzuki GS1100L, Honda CBR1000F, Yamaha XJ600N, Suzuki GSX 1100G, Kawasaki ZZR1100D and Honda CB 1300 X4. You may be able to tell that I like a physically large and powerful bike. The 900 Diversion is not powerful enough to be sporty or scary, it is however plenty powerful enough to cruise at 90mph comfortably and whiz you along the twisty roads with a smile on your face. If feels solid and well planted as long as you aren't trying to be ...
Regsy 19.02.2009 (07.04.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
Advantages: well balanced , superb fairing , robust , reliable Disadvantages: chain drive train , heavy , high ride height
...work. The Diversion series by Yamaha is one of the few bikes that will always have its praises sung by couriers and professional bikers alike. The high ride and comfortable up-right seating position and well balanced frame offer excelent control for slow speed filtering and mid range maneovering, the over sized back brake pedal is comfortable to use and allows you to literally walk the bike through traffic. On the motorway the diversion cruises very ... ...and you won't find your neck aching from doing long distances at max (legal) speed. Topboxes and sideboxes fit easily to the frame and with the large backseat and double pillion handle grips, your pillion passenger travels in equal comfort. Tho the Diversion 600 may well be an good choice for the starter rider , i personnally would only buy a Diversion 900 , the Chain driven system is replaced with a prop shaft drive which is reliable and smooth ...
coldzero 23.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
Advantages: Cheap, Easy To Maintain And Repair Yourself, Reliable Disadvantages: Vibration At 4,500rpm, Lacking In Poke
I bought a 1994 Yamaha Diversion 5 months ago on ebay of all things. I paid pitance for it and put it on the road all ready to go for under £600 incl a whole spare engine!
As a first bike it was a marvellous choice for the novice rider as it sits up well and is beautifully balanced. It was also good at living life outdoors and always started up even after a prolonged absence. Fuel consumption is good with about 170 miles to a tank (currently £17 ... ...in summation; a good, cheap, reliable bike, that survives reasonably well with life outdoors and use in all weathers, but is really too much of a 'plodder' for my tastes. The Yamaha XJ600 is the Vauxhall Astra of bikes so I'm off to trade up to a Thunderace. Happy Riding. ...
Pipco 28.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
