Yamaha XJ6 600 Diversion Race Blu 2013 — Specifications

So, you dress a practical road bike in MotoGP gear and think that's enough to make it a sportbike? Yamaha played that card with its XJ6 Diversion Race Blu in 2013, a makeover inspired by Lorenzo’s M1s on the Misano circuit. Matte gray, electric blue stickers, and above all, those azure-colored rims that catch the eye – that's the folklore. It’s certainly eye-catching, but it gives this versatile bike a youthful air that does it good.

Under the bluish fairing, we find the well-known heart of the range: the 600 cm3 inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 78 horsepower at 10,000 rpm. A supple and reliable engine, but not really electrifying. Compared to a Honda CBF600 or a Kawasaki ER-6n, it offers a more flattering musicality, that true four-cylinder sound that is lacking in the twins. But it doesn’t have the nervous bite of a true sportbike. Its torque of 58.8 Nm arrives fairly high in the rev range, at 8500 rpm, which requires using the gear selector to make it move with enthusiasm. On a winding road, it’s not the most lively, but it shows great docility.

It is precisely there that its true public resides. With a seat height of 78.5 cm from the ground, a 17-liter tank, and a wet weight of 211 kg, the XJ6 Diversion clearly targets the novice or the road rider looking for serenity without sacrificing looks. The steel frame and basic suspension do the job correctly without surprising, while the dual-disc front braking system ensures a firm but unadorned stop. It's an honest machine, designed for everyday use and relaxed long journeys, not for Sunday madness.

At 7499 euros at the time, it positioned itself as a more stylish and comfortable alternative than a pure naked, but less radical and less expensive than a YZF-R6. It also shared a lot with the FZ8 and XJ6 Naked of the family, starting with this philosophy of intelligent compromise. For those looking for a first large displacement bike that is reassuring, or a motorcycle for everyday use with a touch of character, it was a logical choice. For the rider seeking thrills or sharp performance, on the other hand, it sorely lacked bite.

Ultimately, this Diversion Race Blu was a compromise motorcycle, dressed in a showy suit that changed nothing about its temperament. A coat of paint that gave it a bit of flair in a segment often too tame. It did the job without showing off, but without marking anyone’s mind either. An efficient road bike, nothing more, nothing less.