By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
Honda CBR 650F (RC 74) vs Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS (RJ19)
Honda CBR 650F vs Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Up a long highway on-ramp, the Honda CBR 650F's engine spins without fuss, and it's got a real rush waiting near the top. The Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS's screen parts the blast.
So which one do you buy?
The CBR 650F has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: CBR 650F
Day in, day out, the CBR 650F nudges ahead in traffic. That comes from lighter steering. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: CBR 650F
On a twisty road, the CBR 650F edges ahead. It's down to more feel through the bars and stronger brakes. Not by enough to settle it alone.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Inches ahead: CBR 650F
As a starter bike, the CBR 650F comes out a touch ahead. Put it down to more comfort. Small enough that a better fit on the other one would outweigh it.
What makes each one tick
CBR 650F
The CBR 650F's steel diamond frame flicks it from bend to bend without a fight. A hard squeeze on the brake lever doesn't unsettle the chassis. It goes where the bars point.
XJ6 Diversion F ABS
The XJ6 Diversion F ABS's seat earns its miles without leaving you squirming for relief. There's no flat spot anywhere in the revs as the throttle opens, and the four doesn't hesitate. Its smoothness borders on eerie. A light clutch lever clicks each gear home cleanly.
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 31.9 in (810 mm).
- The CBR 650F has the lower wet weight: 465 lb (211 kg) vs 489 lb (222 kg).
- The CBR 650F makes more peak power: 87 hp (64 kW) vs 78 hp (57 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: XJ6 Diversion F ABS
The XJ6 Diversion F ABS isn't built for long days on the road, so it sits this one out.
There's no real gap on running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CBR 650F
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, polished inline-four engine
- Light, agile handling
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Budget suspension components
- Basic instrumentation and switchgear
- Engine vibration at high rpm
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
CBR 650F
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
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CBR 650F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 465 lb (211 kg) | 489 lb (222 kg) |
| CBR 650F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 649 cc | 600 cc |
| Power | 87 hp (64 kW) | 78 hp (57 kW) |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) |
| CBR 650F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 41 mpg (US) / 5.8 L/100 km | 37 mpg (US) / 6.3 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.6 US gal (17.3 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| CBR 650F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 298 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CBR 650F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Option | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
