Yamaha Diversion 600

[mrchips]

What are they like? I've seen a few in the auto trader that might be worth looking into. Do they handle well/reliablity/insurance/power any info appreciated cheers
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[Gazdaman]

whitenoise has got one.

I've got a pre diversion XJ600. It handles very well, mine's still restricted but out cornered several gixxer 400s and a couple of gixxer 600s.

But then I was again outcornered by an RS125.

I think they're great first bikes. It got no bad comments on a big rideout I went on, and most of the bikes were sport 600s.

Gaz

[Kickstart]

Hi

Had one for a year.

BRakes are OK, but not great.

Riding position is comfy

Petrol tank is not that big

Handling is pleasant, but don't expect sports bike handling

Power delivery is boring

Works brilliantly on the motorway.

I sold it and bought the FZR600. The FZR is faster, handles better, does more mpg, has better brakes, has a bigger petrol tank and is less comfy. For me that FZR is better.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[mrchips]

Right now the priority is to get something at 18 with 2 years NCB in Northern Ireland that won't get me totally laughed at by insurance companies, as I'm getting laughed at for a Bros 400 at 17. Roll on July.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[Gazdaman]

Agreed on the boring power delivery, even though I'm still restricted.

I find the brakes good for a 15 year old bike, although you're looking at a newer model.

I think the handling's good aswell, although admittedly I have little to compare it to.

The petrol tank on mine is 20 (litres?) I forget the unit it was measured in, but whatever it was, it was 20 of them! (I think)

Gaz

[stinkwheel]

They do everything they are supposed to do in a relaxed and unsurprising way.

I would imagine it would make a good first bike, I found them to be extremely uninspiring to ride, no sense of urgency when you open it up, no character. Thrashing them is totally unrewarding. The basic model vauxhaull vectra of the bike world.

The pre-Diversion XJ600s were better bikes IMO.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Frost]

The old man had one for a year or so.
It went fairly well, even with 2 on it. Stopped pretty good too.

Corners however were a nightmare. It refused to commit to a corner, you had to keep turning it in again taking little bites out of the corner.

His might just have been fucked though

As a commuter bike the diversion is beaten only by the CB500

[Milo]

Can't comment on the 6 or the 9...but I've got the XJ900 pre-diversion and it's such a lovely bike to both thrash and relax on.
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Shaft drives rule.

[beeblemaster]

I've just passed my DAS two months ago and I decided to buy one as my first bike.

An R-plate 1998 Diversion with 9K on the clock and it's mint.

OK, I've got nothing to compare it to as it's my first bike and I've only been riding for six months anyway, but I bought it because of their reputation of bullet proof reliability and cheap running costs. Look how many couriers use them (although in most cases they'll choose the 900 for the shaft drive).

I find it very smooth, comfortable, and weighted very well to give it a good balance.

I'm still getting to know the bike so I don't know it's limits. The only negative I've found, is the vibration you get at 4000 revs, but you get used to it (apparently it's common on them all).

I love it!

[TL666]

Why not buy a 6oo Bandit. They're similar in power but look better. They are more reliable and I think parts are cheaper too.

[Milo]

[TL666]

The insurance difference is £40 for bikes of the same age and value. Thats with choicequote. Hardly significant.

[Kickstart]

[skida]

If it is your first big bike it will be a good choice. The later model with twin front disks is better. The excelleration is better than the riding school types such as CB500, GS500 and ER500 due to the extra 100cc and four cylinder engine.

Top end is somewhere between 115 and 120mph. It is not as powerful as the Fazer or Bandit and that is reflected in the insurance costs.

The seat and riding position is very comfy and touring is no hassle.

I had the unfaired XJ600N as my first big bike and I was never disappointed with the performance.

Negative points:

The brakes will seize up if you ride in the winter. (Not an uncommon problem on Yamahas)
Cleaning after wet riding needs a degree of dedication.


Conclusion:

A very decent post-test ride which is reliable and cheap to buy and maintain. Most negative comments about lack of oomph come from people accustomed to sportier bikes. Always remember though this is not a sportsbike and ride accordingly. I would recommend it.
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Previous: Suzuki GT125, Honda C50, Honda C90, Suzuki GS125, Yamaha XJ600N, Triumph 955i Sprint ST, Triumph 955i Speed Triple, Triumph 955i Tiger, Triumph 955i Sprint ST
Current: Honda CBR600FR

[mrchips]

Might just go for a GPZ500 then as they have a bit of a kick in the power at 7k.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[Gazdaman]

I realise I have little to compare it to, but I find my XJ600 incredible amounts of fun.

It has twin disks up front and stops very well.

There is a kick in power at 5k, and starts tailing off at about 9k, if you can get one cheap, then go for it! especially as a first bike.

Cheap to insure aswell, mine was just shy of £600 with 0NCB at 18.

I think if you got one you wouldn't be disappointed, it seems uncharacteristic to rag this type of bike around, and it turns heads when you do.

But when you get it going, it goes well.

I realise Stinkwheel and Keith have far more experience than I do. But I've ridden my bike every day since I got it, and you really get to know it. Obviously I yearn to take the restrictors out and maybe get something sportier.

I agree the diversion offers better wind protection too.

Go with the pre-diversion!

Gaz

[White Noise]

Hi there,
i do indeed have a divvy 600 its an N reg and i really like it, its my first bike after doing DAS and it really is something that does what it says on the box! it gets you to A->B in a pretty conservitive way, but saying that i have got her to 120 but my riding is not ready for those speeds as i have only been riding 7 weeks! its a simple bike mechanically so i am really learning maintainance on it, aswell as riding! though now i am looking to get a sports bike soonish but i think that money will not stretch till next yeah.
Though i think that is inspired by the fact i rode my first sports bike (busa) at the weekend!
They are cheap to insure i got mine for £275 TPFT and 0 NCB and short time riding ie 2 days!!!
At the end of the day its upto you what/need!
Take it easy
WN
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Buy my wife: 96' Yam XJ600s (Diversion)
Wing Commander White Noise - SE Clique
Riding Tip #86: See God, then back off a bit: Problem is i haven't seen god yet, just a close up of tarmac on revett straight

[Davo]

[stinkwheel]

[Gazdaman]

Agreed, the GPZ is a nice alternative, and Stinkwheel is perfectly on the mark with the redline quote, if you're in the red line the power gain from being so far up the rev range is minimal, although I find mine does sound bloody good.

Having seen the pics from Craggles' track day on his GPZ, it both looks good and it looks like it bloody shifts aswell.

I'll have to take some pics, I don't think yamaha ever designed my bike to be ridden how I ride it.

Either way, you certainly wouldn't go wrong with either for a first bike.

Gaz

[White Noise]

To be honest i think if i had the choice again, i would go for the GPZ as it has a more sporter feel about it. but at the time i was desperate for a bike and all i wanted to do was ride!
Still it keeps me smiling plus i have a 180 mile ride tommorow so i am glad its comfortable!
Just don't rush into buying a bike and find a good deal!
WN
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Buy my wife: 96' Yam XJ600s (Diversion)
Wing Commander White Noise - SE Clique
Riding Tip #86: See God, then back off a bit: Problem is i haven't seen god yet, just a close up of tarmac on revett straight

[Kickstart]

[stinkwheel]

[mchaggis]

Does anyone else feel like their legs/ knees don't quite fit into the tank cutouts? It might have been that I wasn't forward enough but I really didn't feel as though I fitted on the XJ600 I sat on today. It does look like its tank is too small for its fairing though.

I fit perfectly onto the GS500 and almost so onto the GPz however.

Still, none of those felt as nice as the ZZR600, and nothing I've sat on is as nice as the F650..
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Frost]