2013 Yamaha XJ6 Diversion

Make Model	Yamaha XJ6
Year	2013 - 14
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	600 cc / 36.6 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	65.5 x 44.5 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	12.2:1
Induction	Group injection type fuel injection
Ignition	TCI
Starting	Electric
Max Power	78 hp / 57 kW @ 10000 rpm
Max Torque	59.7 Nm / 6.1 kgf-m @ 8500 rpm
Clutch	Wet Multi-plat disc
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Gear Ratio	1st 37/13 (2.846) 2nd 37/19 (1.947) 3rd 28/18 (1.556) 4th 32/24 (1.333) 5th 25/21 (1.190) 6th 26/24 (1.083)
Frame	Aluminium die-cast, diamond shaped
Front Suspension	43mm Telescopic fork, 130mm wheel travel
Front Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Rear Suspension	Swingarm Link less type Monocross, 130mm wheel travel
Rear Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Front Brakes	2x 298 mm discs
Rear Brakes	Single 245 mm disc
Front Tyre	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre	160/60 ZR17
Wheelbase	1440 mm / 56.7 in
Seat Height	785 mm / 30.9 in
Ground Clearance	140 mm / 5.5 in
Wet Weight	205 kg / 452 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17.3 Litres / 4.5 US gal

Yamaha updated there XJ6 models including its faired Diversion and Diversion F versions for the European market. The updates to the XJ6 are mostly cosmetic however, with new side panels and headlight design the most noticeable differences. Other updates include a grippier seat surface, new passenger grab handles, transparent turn signals and backlit LED display.

Otherwise, the 2013 XJ6 is similar to the 2012 model. It is still powered by a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 600cc inline-four engine with the same bore and stroke as the FZ6 engine. The FZ6 engine is already a re-tuned version of the YZF-R6 engine, and the XJ6 version has been tweaked even more for more useable torque. According to Yamaha, the XJ6 maxes out at 76 hp at 10,000 rpm and 44 ft-lb. at 8500 rpm, compared to the FZ6R which claims 97 hp at 12,000 rpm and 46.5 ft-lb. at 10,000 rpm.

The XJ6 is equipped with telescopic forks and a spring preload-adjustable linked monoshock, both with 130 mm of travel. The front wheel is equipped with dual disc brakes and an ABS-equipped version is available. Yamaha claims the XJ6 weighs in at 452 pounds with a full 4.5 gallon fuel tank, with ABS adding on an extra 11 pounds.

Yamaha is also producing a semi-faired version called the Diversion and the fully-faired Diversion F (The original Yamaha Diversion introduced in 1984 may be better known to Americans as the Seca II). According to Yamaha, the Diversion weighs 465 pounds wet and the Diversion F weighs 478 pounds. Both are also available with ABS.

The XJ6 will be offered in Competition White or Midnight Black. The Diversion and Diversion F will only be offered in Competition White.

Features

600cc inline 4-cylinder engine

Naked version of the XJ6 Diversion

Compact chassis for easy handling

Low seat height for easy low-speed manoeuvrability

A leading middleweight all-rounder

Under seat storage for a U-lock

New bodywork and detail changes for 2013

Review

Mainland Europe is a big market for practical middleweights – more so than the UK for the simple reason of the better weather and the understanding that race-replicas aren’t needed to get that all-important biking adrenaline rush.

Yamaha’s XJ6 Diversion series fits the European lifestyle perfectly but just dips under the UK riders’ radar. This is unfortunate because it is a good bike – it has sporting pedigree blended with practicality.

The 600cc motor is a derived from a former supersports machine. But while it is detuned and reworked for improved midrange torque, the engine is still a rev-happy chap that makes blood rush and hairs stand tall when engine revs chase the tacho needle to the 11,750rpm red line.

It has some low-to-midrange pull to make slow speed riding an effortless affair but the XJ6 ‘Divvie’ really comes to life at 7000rpm and onwards. The point is you can use the engine like a true sports bike and the chassis and its components will deliver similar levels of sports handling to make any ride a pleasure or, with the throttle abused, an intense pleasure.

Don’t get us wrong, the XJ6 will not win club races. But in the true spirit of road riding the steel tubular frame, basic sliding-calipers and suspension are good enough to please every type of rider, be it commuter or weekend fun rider on their favourite roads. The fitment of ABS also means a helping hand is available at short notice…

Compounded by chassis geometry and a short-ish wheelbase that borders on race-replica, the XJ6 Divvie F provides a tantalising glimpse of what hard core speed demons get from their R1/R6 missiles.

There are other benefits with the XJ6 Diversion F that make it a completely practical proposition. The handlebars are upright instead of being near the front wheel spindle to give a good smattering of comfort. Plus the full-length fairing is geared towards practical and doesn’t require insane body movements to duck out of the oncoming air.

Source Bennetts