Yamaha XJ 600 Diversion N et S 2003 — Specifications

Do you remember a time when a motorcycle was simply a motorcycle? Not a technological jewel on two wheels, but a reliable, simple, and accessible tool. That’s precisely the DNA of the Yamaha XJ 600 Diversion, this quiet road bike that, even in 2003, seemed to come from another era with its air-cooled inline four-cylinder engine. With 61 horsepower at 8500 rpm and a torque of 53 Nm, it won’t rip your arms off, to say the least. But that’s its whole charm: it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.

Facing more modern and lively competitors, the Diversion plays the card of serenity and indestructibility. Its supple engine, inherited from another generation, is exceptionally reliable and content with straightforward fuel. It must be admitted, the gearbox isn't the most precise on the market, and the weight announced at 213 kg fully fueled is felt in tight corners. But that’s not its playground. Where it excels is on national roads or in the city, with a seat height of 79 cm from the ground that reassures and a comfort worthy of a small rolling sofa, especially in the S version with its protective fairing.

The handling is healthy and predictable, and the braking, improved in 1998 with a second disc at the front, does the job correctly without ever surprising. It’s a machine that’s ridden with the wrists, not the knees. Its 17-liter tank offers correct range, even if its fuel appetite isn't among the most modest. But when you look at the purchase price, around 5500 euros new at the time, these flaws quickly disappear. This explains why people are still looking for the price of a Yamaha XJ 600 Diversion N and S 1994 in France: it’s a safe bet on the used market, an indestructible motorcycle that transmits the simple pleasure of riding without complex.

It’s aimed at the beginner looking for a reassuring first large displacement motorcycle, the motorcyclist on a tight budget who wants a no-fuss road bike, or the urban rider who needs a docile and comfortable mount. It won’t give you shivers on the track, won’t break speed records with your fist in the wind, but it will always bring you home, with a smile. The Diversion is the good old friend, the one you can rely on with your eyes closed. An anti-heroine in a world of over-revving engines, and that’s precisely why we love her so much.