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Pillion review if the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion
I am a pillion. I do not know much about the technical side of most motorbikes. I can only tell you how they feel from the rear end so to speak.
I went with the boyfriend for a test drive on the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion. It is nice to get the opportunity to have a test drive as not many shops cover pillions in their insurance so it quite a rare treat to have a spin on a new bike.
The first thing I noticed on climbing onto the back of the bike was that it had nothing on the rear end to grab hold of. To be honest its rare that I use the grab rail on any bike. I am usually very happy to just use my thighs and if the speed really picks up to hold onto the boyfriend. However on long journeys it's sometimes good to adjust your position and to swap from holding the person in front to sitting up straight and holding onto the back of the bike. So I think it is a shame their was nothing for a pillion to get their hands onto on the back of the XJ6.
The seating position as far as the legs go was pretty neutral. Not to severe with your knees round your ears like on the sports bikes. Just pretty average for the this type of road/touring bike. So not super comfy but comfy enough for distance. The seat its self again felt fairly average, neither super hard or soft but once again just about comfy enough. That said it felt some what firmer than other bikes I have been on but then this is the first brand new bike I have ever ridden so this I think it was simply the effect of a seat that had not be sat on and softened up. It was also wide enough to actually fit a bum onto.
So for the ride itself. The suspension was again adequate and average. Not super springy and soft but not so harsh as to rearrange my insides and joints (yep I have been on bikes that rattle my poor bones to the core). Up to now the Diversion was feeling - well - very average, nothing unduly amiss and nothing making me think wow. However once out on the roads there was one thing that suddenly struck me about this bike. It is one hell of a SMOOTH ride. When it accelerates my head does not suddenly snap back and I do not have to make a grab for anything. Aha maybe that's why there is no grab rail this bike is so smooth you don't need one. Nope it just pulls away as clean as you like. Not that you feel it lacks power just that it can change its gears and speed in a seamless motion. It also handled low speed well, which as myself and my boyfriend found out in the 20 zones in France, can come in most useful these days.
So in conclusion what do I think of the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion. Well it is a nice bike, it does the job it was made to do and it does it with incredible smoothness. I would be more than happy to be a pilllion on this bike anytime. If the boyfriend choose to buy one there would be no objections from me . But am I so impressed by it I want to nag the boyfriend into getting one? No I am not. I am more than happy with the current bike he has and although this was a nice bike it just did not feel nice enough or different enough to warrant an expensive upgrade.
Ren - The Ed and the boyfriend - Nice review sweetie...but the Divvy does have a grab rail, it's on the sides so that's why you missed it. XXX
Reader's Comments
The GF said :-
I did not miss the grab rail because that bit of trim does not count as a grab rail. Not even my tiny hands could get my fingers into it to afford any kind of hold. So I refuse to be corrected.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Sooclosetobuying1 said :-
Very interesting to read your article, especially comments re grab rail.
Final comment about not different enough to warrent expensive change of bike how I feel at the moment.
Going back for second test ride as just unsure I want to spend the money..
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Peter Outtram said :-
My wife and i toured Cornwall at the weekend and the only thing that let the bike down was the grab rails. Far to small for a passenger to get a good grip. Also not good for carrying luggage, the so called grips got in the way, shame the FZ6-8 grips dont fit this bike ! Apart from this its a good alround bike.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
peter outtram said :-
NEW grab rails for xj6f from 2013, and they will fit the 2011 & 2012 models.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Sharon said :-
See I was right...... NO grab rail :-D
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
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