By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Sport Tourer
Honda CB600F Hornet (PC 41) vs Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS (RJ19)
Honda CB600F Hornet vs Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS: where they split, and which one to buy.
Up a winding mountain pass, the Honda CB600F Hornet's light chassis flicks from one bend into the next, and its steering doesn't fight you. Up there, the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS's seat still isn't making you squirm around for relief. Its tank won't send you hunting for fuel early.
So which one do you buy?
The CB600F Hornet has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: CB600F Hornet
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the CB600F Hornet pulls a nose in front. Put it down to lighter steering. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: CB600F Hornet
The CB600F Hornet is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. That comes from harder acceleration and more feel through the bars.
The XJ6 Diversion F ABS has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
A touch ahead: XJ6 Diversion F ABS
With bags on, the XJ6 Diversion F ABS edges ahead. The gap is small enough that luggage options could flip it.
What makes each one tick
CB600F Hornet
It pulls clean from low rpm. More throttle builds the power in one even line. The four's happiest spinning hard near redline.
Nils rode the CB600F Hornet in Austria in 2007, and in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
XJ6 Diversion F ABS
There's an almost eerie smoothness in the Diversion's inline-four, with no flat spot or hesitation anywhere from low revs to the top. Stops at the brake lever run through standard ABS, and the clutch pulls easy as you drop gears. The gearbox doesn't snag between gears. The windscreen soaks up the blast at highway pace.
Nils rode the XJ6 Diversion F ABS in 2011 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The XJ6 Diversion F ABS has the lower seat: 30.9 in (785 mm) vs 31.5 in (800 mm).
- The CB600F Hornet has the lower wet weight: 381 lb (173 kg) vs 489 lb (222 kg).
- The CB600F Hornet makes more peak power: 102 hp (75 kW) vs 78 hp (57 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: CB600F Hornet
No first-bike verdict for the CB600F Hornet. It's a step up for later.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CB600F Hornet
Strengths
- Handling That Forgives Mistakes
- Reliability You Can Bank On
- Cheap to Run and Service
- Lean Clearance to Spare
Trade-offs
- No Shelter From the Wind
- Fork Without Any Adjustment
- Reg/Rec Can Give Up
- Fasteners and Cases Corrode
- Weedy braking performance
XJ6 Diversion F ABS
Strengths
- Sportbike-bred engine, road manners
- Real wind protection
- Seat earns the miles
- Light clutch, clean shifts
- Steers without effort
Trade-offs
- Competent but no occasion
- Suspension folds two-up
- No luggage, not even optional
- Brake calipers corrode
- Heavy steering and limited ground clearance
Known problems to check before you buy
CB600F Hornet
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
XJ6 Diversion F ABS
- Brake caliper seizing and corrosion Front and rear brake calipers are prone to corrosion, causing pistons to seize, resulting in poor braking and MOT failures. Regular cleaning and greasing is essential.
- Ignition key difficult to turn The ignition barrel can become sticky and the key difficult to turn, requiring regular lubrication or eventual replacement.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CB600F Hornet | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 381 lb (173 kg) | 489 lb (222 kg) |
| CB600F Hornet | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 599 cc | 600 cc |
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) | 78 hp (57 kW) |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) |
| CB600F Hornet | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| CB600F Hornet | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 296 mm | 298 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB600F Hornet | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
