Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion

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Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion
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Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion

Endurance test interim balance: Yamaha XJ6 Diversion
Yamaha’s 600 all-rounder after 30,000 kilometers

Drive and save. With the XJ6 Diversion, which costs just over 7000 euros, Yamaha is enriching the aggressively priced class of 600 all-rounders. The four-cylinder has already completed 30,000 kilometers in the MOTORRAD endurance test – and done well.

Peter Mayer

04/15/2010

June 2009, the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion made it: It is in the finals of the MOTORRAD Alpine Masters that took place in the Dolomites. Together with the Honda CB 1300, the F 800 GS and K 1300 GT from BMW and the flagship super sports car from Yamaha, the R1. The fact that most of the competition is significantly more expensive and stronger throws a telling light on the XJ6. Lots of driving fun, a wide range of uses and all at an affordable price. To be precise: 7095 euros plus 170 euros ancillary costs, including the standard ABS.

This combination convinced not only the international jury at the Alpenmasters but also the customers. The combined sales figures for the XJ6 Diversion and its undisguised sister, the XJ6, immediately reached fifth place in the 2009 sales hit list.

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Yamaha’s 600 all-rounder after 30,000 kilometers

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The new addition to the long-term test fleet also quickly found friends in the editorial office. Manuel Fuchs, editor of the MOTORRAD sister magazine PS, who completed the XJ’s maiden voyage in May 2009, summed it up: “Nice orbital sander”, he noted down in the logbook in a playful manner. Many verbal strokes from various colleagues should still follow. Above all, the baby all-rounder is praised for its decent start from the lower speed range. From as little as 4000 revs, the unit pushes forward with dedicated pressure, immediately wiping away fears of the lack of torque in small four-cylinder engines, such as the sister FZ6, which is somewhat carelessly throttled to 78 hp. The smaller throttle valve cross-sections compared to the FZ6 (32 instead of 36 millimeters), tamer control times, the modified air filter box and an adapted mapping show positive effects.

But as it goes in love affairs, the initial euphoria occasionally gave way to cool realism. The managing editor of MOTORRAD, Harald Humke, complained that “the Yamaha engine against the aggregate of the Suzuki Gladius an air pump” be. Harsh criticism that shows that the smoothly running four-cylinder engines are subjectively perceived as tamer compared to the V2 engines of this displacement class, despite hardly any worse performance.


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


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The Yamaha XJ6 Diversion is very popular for trips – less for two-person operation.

Ultimately, it’s their simplicity that makes the XJ friends. The low seat height of 79 centimeters and the slim knee joint also make lightweight or short-grown people lose their respect for the machine, which weighs 220 kilograms with a full tank. The playful handling and extremely precise steering behavior quickly turns into joyful enthusiasm.

Accordingly, the yamsel was popular among the editorial folk. After top case and case from Hepco & Becker and the MRA Variotouringscreen were installed, the XJ only stopped by for inspections and tire changes in the editorial office.

Speaking of cases: Yamaha only offers a top case for the XJ6 in its accessories range. Reason: a not explicitly quantified limitation of the maximum load on the frame rear. Baggage system providers such as Hepco & Becker see it differently. Obviously right. The subframe has so far survived the more frequently used maximum load (ten kilograms per case, five kilograms in the topcase) without damage. The 10,000-kilometer inspection resulted in an oil change and working time with 268.13 euros.

The thermal sensitivity remains to be determined. Not only colleague Humke worried about a water temperature of 100 degrees and above on alpine passes. However, a check as part of the 20,000-kilometer inspection did not reveal any abnormalities. However, the XJ still tends to have high engine temperatures in the mountains. Otherwise, the inspection (material: air filter, spark plugs, oil, taillight bulb) cost 421.48 euros. The new chain set (119.95 euros) came from the accessories trade and was installed in MOTORRAD’s test workshop. Just like the new set of Metzeler Z6 Interact, which replaced the second set of Dunlop Roadsmart installed at 10,100 km.

The fact that the circuit was becoming more and more unmanageable at this time runs like a red ribbon through all the entries. Likewise, the weakly damped and non-adjustable shock absorber has a clear tendency to rock in two-person operation. Nonetheless, when all the endurance test machines took off in autumn, the comfortable XJ was by far one of the most popular vehicles. Which was certainly not only due to the heated grips from Oxford that were installed shortly before take-off. On the tour to Lake Garda, Diversion once again confirmed its frugality and showed itself apart from that Yamaha YZF-R 125, with an average consumption of 5.2 liters, is the most modest long-term test bike.


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


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Moderate dimensions, good handling: the 600 is also fun in the Alps. The high water temperatures in the mountains are striking, but problem-free.

Instead, the XJ attracts attention with an ignition lock that hooks at irregular intervals. However, an exchange has not yet been necessary. It remains doubtful whether the part will be functional by the end of the endurance test.

After the shiftability of the gearbox, which was already quite resinous when it was new, increasingly deteriorated, a new set of clutch plates plus springs was due as part of the 30,000 inspection. The costs: 259.25 euros for inspection work, oil and a parking light bulb, 223.98 euros for the coupling parts. Amazing: The assembled Metzeler Roadtec Z6 Interacts still have enough remaining tread even after running 10,000 kilometers.

Nevertheless, apart from the worn clutch and the incipient rust attack on the sheet steel exhaust manifold welded together, the ravages of time on the XJ6 made little noticeable. The paint is in good condition despite heavy road salt bombardment, the levers have not yet worn out, the gently gripping brakes still decelerate perfectly with the original pads. Only the bench, which is now plentifully worn out, will soon have to be freshened up by the upholsterer. The only problem with this is that when the days get longer and the temperatures rise again, it will be difficult to find the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion in the underground car park at all.

Arrow Thunder


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


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Arrow Thunder

With the silencer attached to the side, the € 998 Arrow system (www.alphatechnik.de) gives the Diversion a clearly different look. The processing of the stainless steel manifold and the aluminum rear silencer is good, the sound is clearly bassier, but not louder than that of the standard system. The 6.3 kilogram accessory with Kat (series: 8.5 kilos) of the XJ6 brings a significant increase in torque in particular. The only downer: the main stand still shown in the picture has to be dismantled.


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


Drawing: archive

Arrow Thunder – Performance Diagram: Power on the crankshaft; Measurement on Dynojet roller dynamometer 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%

Shark Street GP


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


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Shark Street GP

Despite the EC operating permit, the Shark system (www.fechter.de) is disqualified with an infernal background noise that is no longer tolerable in road traffic. It’s a shame, because in terms of both power and torque, the catalytic converter, which weighs only 5.5 kilograms, is harmoniously above the standard system over the entire speed range. The stainless steel manifold and the muffler with carbon cover visually enhance the XJ6, but are still discreetly restrained in terms of size.


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


Drawing: archive

Shark Street GP – Performance Diagram: Power on the crankshaft; Measurement on Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%

Defects in the test


Endurance test interim balance of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion


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The defective clutch of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion

After 10,000 kilometers, the first complaints about the stuck gearbox operation appeared. The problem worsened over time, so that at the 30,000 inspection all clutch plates and springs were replaced (223.98 euros). Four out of seven steel disks showed signs of wear. After the operation, it switches itself like new – only a relative praise for the XJ6’s basically bony switching mechanism.

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