Yamaha XJ 600 Diversion N et S 2001 — Specifications

In an era of sterilized roadsters, remembering the Yamaha XJ 600 Diversion is like reconnecting with an old garage buddy: it smells of hot oil and simplicity. Launched in the early 90s and produced until 2003, this machine has seen generations of A2 licenses pass by without ever losing its placid smile. Its secret? A desperately simple recipe: a steel double cradle frame that absorbs everything, and above all, that famous 598 cc inline four-cylinder engine, air-cooled. With 61 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 53 Nm of torque, it’s far from the madness of grandeur, but it's precisely this progressiveness that made it a school on two wheels. For a young license holder or a rider looking for an affordable road bike, it was perfect.

Compared to competitors of the time like the Honda CB 500 or the Suzuki GSX 600 F, the Diversion, especially in its N and S versions with fairing, played the card of comfort and versatility. Its weight of 213 kg fully fueled doesn’t make it a featherweight, but its 79 cm seat height and supple engine make it very maneuverable in the city. The 17-liter tank promised beautiful ranges, even if its major drawback remained a somewhat greedy consumption for the category. The six-speed gearbox wasn’t the most precise either, but it did the job. What really marked its evolution was the switch to a dual front disc brake in 1998, a welcome upgrade for generally reassuring handling.

So, what is the price of a 1994 Yamaha XJ 600 Diversion N and S in France today? The used market is its kingdom. For a machine of this age in good general condition, you often have to count between 1500 and 2500 euros, a derisory price for such a capable motorcycle. That's where its true genius lies: it excelled in no area, but it disappointed in none. It took you to work, on holiday routes, or on Sunday rides without ever demanding attention. The S version, with its small fairing, was even a very correct economical touring bike.

The XJ 600 Diversion wasn’t a motorcycle of strong emotions. It didn’t scrape the knee in corners, nor pull your arms during acceleration. But it was of exemplary honesty and robustness. It trained thousands of riders, teaching them the essentials without scaring them. Today, faced with more nervous and high-tech neo-roadsters, it has certainly aged, but for those looking for a serene first large displacement motorcycle, a utility bike, or simply a piece of accessible motorcycle history, it remains a safe bet, a good mechanical friend like there are almost no more. Its longevity in dealerships and on the roads is no coincidence, it's proof of a concept that perfectly met a need.