Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2011 — Specifications

Do you remember the XJ models? Those 600 Yamaha motorcycles that served as learning machines for a generation of riders, before disappearing into the catalogue’s limbo? After a seven-year absence, Yamaha decided to revive the concept with the 2011 XJ6 Naked. The gamble was risky: the mid-size roadster market was already well-occupied by the fun Kawasaki ER-6n and the more impulsive Suzuki Bandit 650. But Yamaha chose a different path, one of wise versatility under a modernized guise.

The aesthetics are the first point of divergence. Yamaha gave the XJ6 a headlight inspired by the FZ1 and a cleaned-up profile, with a muffler hidden under the engine. It displays a sharper and more muscular look than the reassuring Honda CBF, without falling into the exuberance of the ER-6n. It’s a motorcycle that wants to have presence without being intimidating. Hidden beneath this bodywork is a classic and robust steel diamond frame, perfectly suited to a machine for everyday use. The conventional 41 mm fork and single shock offer 130 mm of travel, honest figures for road use.

The heart of the machine is the most interesting aspect. Yamaha took the inline four-cylinder engine from the FZ6, itself derived from the 2003 R6, but extensively reworked it for the XJ6’s mission. The cylinder head, intake, and clutch were modified to favor flexibility and availability. The result is an engine producing 78 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 59.8 Nm of torque at 8500 rpm. Compared to the old 61 hp air-cooled XJ, the progress is significant. Compared to competing twin-cylinder engines, it offers a different sound and linearity, but also a higher weight: 205 kg fully fueled, against approximately 190 kg for an ER-6n. This mass and moderate power clearly place it in an accessible category.

The philosophy of the XJ6 is clear: it is the anti-streetfighter. In a world of aggressive motorcycles, it returns with wise values. A wheelbase of 1440 mm, a rake of 26°, braking with two discs with optional ABS, a dashboard from the FZ. Everything is designed to be functional, fun, and without pitfalls. It does not seek extreme performance, but comfort and reliability. For 6499 euros, it offers a complete formula: a proven engine, a simple chassis, an affordable seat height of 785 mm, and a 17.3-liter fuel tank for good range.

The XJ6 Naked targets a specific audience: the novice rider or those seeking a versatile and predictable machine for the city and back roads. It doesn’t have the punch of a Bandit or the playful character of an ER-6n, but it offers a more serene alternative with a four-cylinder engine. For those wanting more protection, Yamaha offered the Diversion version with fairing. The 2011 XJ6 is not a motorcycle that makes racers dream, but it conscientiously fulfills its role as a faithful and reasonable entry-level machine, a kind of modern and well-dressed “bobber” that does honor to the spirit of the original XJs.