By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
Yamaha XJ6 Diversion (MY2009) vs FZ6 (RJ07)
Yamaha XJ6 Diversion vs FZ6: which one you'd rather spend the big miles on.
On a broken-up back road, the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion's fork and shock don't settle, and the bike wallows into tight corners. The Yamaha FZ6 logs those miles on routine service alone.
So which one do you buy?
The FZ6 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: FZ6
On a winding road, the FZ6 comes out a touch ahead. Thank more feel through the bars and a sportier chassis for that. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: FZ6
Day in, day out, the FZ6 nudges ahead in traffic. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
What makes each one tick
XJ6 Diversion
In stop-and-go traffic, the XJ6 Diversion's inline-four pulls cleanly from low revs, and the throttle doesn't snatch. At an easy pace, it'll lean into a bend gently. There's no twitch at the bar. Its clutch stays light at every stoplight.
Nils rode the XJ6 Diversion in Australia in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
FZ6
Around town the FZ6 doesn't fuss, its inline-four pottering along on a light throttle. The engine doesn't stay mellow. High in the revs, the four wakes up and fizzes.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The FZ6 has the lower wet weight: 443 lb (201 kg) vs 465 lb (211 kg).
- The FZ6 makes more peak power: 98 hp (72 kW) vs 78 hp (57 kW).
- The FZ6 makes more peak torque: 47 lb-ft (63 Nm) vs 44 lb-ft (60 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Sits this out: FZ6
The FZ6 has too much motor for a first bike. Get your basics down on something smaller.
Nothing splits them on long days and running costs. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
XJ6 Diversion
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, refined inline-four engine
Trade-offs
- Basic, underdamped suspension
FZ6
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent reliability and build quality
Known problems to check before you buy
XJ6 Diversion
- Exhaust collector box rust The collector box under the engine is a known corrosion hotspot prone to rusting through and causing exhaust gas leaks.
FZ6
- Premature steering head bearing wear The stock steering head bearings are prone to corrosion and premature wear, leading to notchiness and vague steering feel. Many owners replace them with aftermarket tapered roller bearings.
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
| XJ6 Diversion | FZ6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 465 lb (211 kg) | 443 lb (201 kg) |
| XJ6 Diversion | FZ6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 600 cc | 599 cc |
| Power | 78 hp (57 kW) | 98 hp (72 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 12,000 rpm |
| Torque | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) | 47 lb-ft (63 Nm) |
| XJ6 Diversion | FZ6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.6 US gal (17.3 L) | 5.1 US gal (19.4 L) |
| XJ6 Diversion | FZ6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| XJ6 Diversion | FZ6 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
