By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport vs Sport Tourer
Honda CBR 600 F (PC 41) vs Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS (RJ19)
Honda CBR 600 F vs Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS: where they split, and which one to buy.
Up a mountain pass, the Honda CBR 600 F flicks from one bend into the next, and its chassis doesn't flinch at any pace. The Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F ABS spends that climb holding you in a saddle you won't shift around on. Its tank doesn't send you hunting for fuel early.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the XJ6 Diversion F ABS if…
Traveling with luggage
Better bet: XJ6 Diversion F ABS
Loaded for a long trip, the XJ6 Diversion F ABS pulls clearly ahead. Credit a better passenger seat. It's the one you'll want with a week of gear on board.
The CBR 600 F has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: CBR 600 F
The CBR 600 F nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. What tips it: lighter steering and more feel through the bars. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
The XJ6 Diversion F ABS has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: XJ6 Diversion F ABS
The XJ6 Diversion F ABS edges it for the daily grind. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
What makes each one tick
CBR 600 F
On a fast sweeper, the CBR 600 F's light aluminum frame turns it in precisely, and it stays settled once you're leaned over. Mid-corner bumps don't upset it. The suspension soaks them up and keeps the front tire tracking. Its detuned inline-four spins smoothly through the daily commute. Its engine shrugs off high mileage.
XJ6 Diversion F ABS
Any throttle opening gets a clean answer from the inline-four, which doesn't stumble or go flat anywhere in the revs. Panniers aren't available from the factory and can't be added from the options list either. The clutch lever pulls light, even in crawling city traffic. The gear lever clicks home clean.
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 CBR 600 F has the lower wet weight: 454 lb (206 kg) vs 489 lb (222 kg).
- The CBR 600 F makes more peak power: 102 hp (75 kW) vs 78 hp (57 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
No verdict: CBR 600 F
Leave the CBR 600 F for your second or third bike. It's too much to learn on.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CBR 600 F
What owners say
Strengths
- Legendary Honda reliability
- Nimble handling and confident chassis
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 600 F
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
| CBR 600 F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 454 lb (206 kg) | 489 lb (222 kg) |
| CBR 600 F | 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) |
| Top speed | 156 mph (251 km/h) | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| CBR 600 F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 35 mpg (US) / 6.72 L/100 km | 37 mpg (US) / 6.3 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.9 US gal (18.4 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| CBR 600 F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 296 mm | 298 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CBR 600 F | XJ6 Diversion F ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
