Xj900 diversion thoughts

[InquisitionCh...]

Hi guys,

Since I'm now in the realm of getting my first big bike I'd appreciate some opinions as I know everyone here knows more about this than me

Currently I've been offered a straight swap of my freelander 1 (in good condition) for a Yamaha xj900 diversion. Both 1998 and the bike only has 24,000 on the clock. Seems like a sensible idea to me but I thought I'd ask the pros first.

I ride all weathers, all year and frequently long journeys for work and I commute every day 20 miles. I need something comfortable so I don't feel like my spine has been abused like on my current 125. Fuel economy seems ok, shaft drive is a massive bonus.

I guess what I am asking is; has anyone here owned or currently own one and what are your thoughts on them as an all rounder?

Cheers!
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Currently Riding: CBR125-R7 (and having too much fun doing it) + Kawasaki Z750 (She's called Clementine for a reason!)

[Pete.]

As a sensible, practical all-year-round commuter they are pretty well placed. I'd look for rotted exhausts and frame/mainstand and if you do buy it change the transmission oil.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[bamt]

I bought one (a 2001 model) last year as my first bike, with full Givi luggage on it which has made it very practical. I do a 90 mile round trip commute every day - unless I go to our other office, in which case it is about 150 miles round trip. I was looking for shaft drive, reasonable fuel efficiency (I get about 50-55mpg out of it) and not too expensive if I dropped it - which put me off some of the BMWs I'd been considering as there is a lot of plastic to break on an RT.

10 months on, I've put almost 22,000 miles onto the bike (bought with 30k). I've commuted on it, crossed the country on it with Mrs Bamt pillion, hammered it around country lanes, used it for the weekly shop. It's a good all-rounder, with a comfy position for all-day riding (I fairly regularly do over 200 miles in a day, most has been about 350) and reasonable wind protection from the fairing.

Maintenance has been replacing tyres (get about 12k miles out of a BT023 rear!), oil, filters, plugs etc. and minor broken bits (replaced the headset bearings, dodgy connection on the neutral indicator circuit, pass switch and clutch switches needed cleaning etc.). It's a doddle to work on, I do all the maintenance myself.

I keep eyeing up other bikes - I'd only intended having this until the summer, but actually can't think of any good reason to change so barring major issues will stick with it at least through this winter. It's solid, reliable, fun to ride and plenty fast enough to win the traffic light GP and cruise at any sensible speed on the motorway.

[InquisitionCh...]

Thanks guys, and the part about it not being too expensive if I drop it is a huge plus I'm quite small...

I think I'll follow this up and see where it leads! As a first bigger bike for my needs I think it's probably one of the best options.
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Currently Riding: CBR125-R7 (and having too much fun doing it) + Kawasaki Z750 (She's called Clementine for a reason!)

[Polarbear]

Completely different beast from the divvy 600, a much better bike.

I had one a while ago. Never had any problems until it was taken out by a car on a roundabout when a friend was riding it.

The prices seem to vary quite a bit and if yours has hard luggage that is a huge plus as it will cost a lot to kit it out yourself.

What sort of value do you think your landy is worth?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[InquisitionCh...]

well im asking £800 for it. Its worth a bit more say about £1k but its not being used so its better to sell it than it sit on the drive and do nothing.
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Currently Riding: CBR125-R7 (and having too much fun doing it) + Kawasaki Z750 (She's called Clementine for a reason!)

[Matt B]

[........................]

I was in a similar situation a while back and wanted a shaft driven commuter. I'd pretty much narrowed it down to the Divvy or a Deauville and just kept an eye on eBay and the like until one came up locally in the right condition and for the right price.

Eventually I went for the Deauville and it's been great so far, so maybe consider one of those as well.

[InquisitionCh...]

[Matt B]

Should be OK then
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[c_dug]

Make sure it has engine bars (most do) or risk making a real mess of the engine in a slide.

Key rust areas, downpipes for one, though I think mine are originals which have lasted the best part of 50,000 miles. Pretty shoddy state now though! Also check the frame carefully for rust, particularly around the headstock and the fairing frame. If I get a chance toay I'll pop a picture up of where they rust, it can be a pain to check but it's more of a pain to change!

What else... They crash well for the most part, but the fairing will take a beating, and don't expect to grab a replacement from eBay.

Oh, and they're quick enough to get you a date in the court room

Fantastic bike though, I'll consider another one when this one has had it.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[InquisitionCh...]

Yeh, im kind of hooked on the idea now of a 'sensible' bike as my other half calls it. Are there any others anyone would recommend as a first bigger bike?
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Currently Riding: CBR125-R7 (and having too much fun doing it) + Kawasaki Z750 (She's called Clementine for a reason!)

[c_dug]

I've got to be honest, the idea of a sensible bike bores me senseless, but the more I have looked around for an alternative, the more I have realised what a stunning all rounder the humble divvy is. Short of throwing a couple of extra grand at a newer machine I don't think there is much that tops it as an all rounder.

For the record if I wanted something similar but less boring and crucially had the extra few £k to throw at it, an FJ1300 would probably be high up the list.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[c_dug]

Sorry got to be quick so excuse the briefness.

Check for rust on the black frame that you can see just to the top left of my ignition in this picture:
https://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee81/paddy2007dug/DSC_0372_zpsnnvcwmzv.jpg

I have a second picture that didn't upload so I'll edit it in later.

Also check the frame here:
https://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee81/paddy2007dug/DSC_0374_zpswtthpa6u.jpg
https://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee81/paddy2007dug/DSC_0375_zpsovekllb5.jpg
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[mgh0]

I have an XJ900 and use it for commuting and general transport, I take it for 2-3 trips down to Cornwall each year and it does the job happily.

As other have said you do need to check for rotten mainstands and some plastics are hard to come by in good condition.

I'm happy with mine, it does all the things I want it to in a comfortable and reasonably economical way. Insurance for example is £84 per year.
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"Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall, it is defined by those who fell and rose to fight again." Adrienne Rich.

[InquisitionCh...]

[InquisitionCh...]

Thanks c-dug Now Ill know exactly what to look for when I check it out.
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Currently Riding: CBR125-R7 (and having too much fun doing it) + Kawasaki Z750 (She's called Clementine for a reason!)

[Matt B]

[c_dug]

I think I pay £300 odd a year, it was more or less identical to insure as my CBR600F.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[InquisitionCh...]

Aaaaaand the person pulls out on me

Now I've got to find another line of inquiry. Thanks for all your advice guys!
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Currently Riding: CBR125-R7 (and having too much fun doing it) + Kawasaki Z750 (She's called Clementine for a reason!)

[ukdiceman]

[Teflon-Mike]