Black in France

How on earth can you make any sort of communication at speed and expect the on-coming biker to receive or respond? C'mon now, a nod's as much as you can see. Much else you'll be in the ditch or up the back of the car infront! B-in-F

Just to re-inforce JimR's last post: My bike has a standard dry weight of 205kg, no rider but oil and full fuel included. Maximum load is 397kg. That's 192kg of additional load; rider/pillion, full kit, top-box, rack and panniers (and what you put in them!). Effectively DOUBLE the standard weight of the bike. If you've made changes to the bike like exhausts, centre-stand etc. then the basic dry weight will change giving you more (or less!) load that you can carry. There aren't too many weight load 'checks' made to motorcycles because of the limited ways of hanging things on the bike. But you risk breaking the Law if you exceed the recommendations. There, you can sleep easier tonight. B-in-F

swanny, where does it state this 'max load 90kg' ? Assuming it's a dual seat then no way can you find two adults light enough to sit on it together! Usually there is a maximum fully loaded weight for the bike which includes all loaded bags, top-boxes, racks as well as full fuel tank AND fully kitted out rider and pillion. It's a legal limit and is often stamped on the frame registration plate under the seat or near the head-stock. Single seater mopeds or 50cc 'motorcycles' might be limited though. As Cov_AL asked, what bike do you have? B-in-F

Used to do it on track bikes in me yoof! It's a teaspoon in a full tank. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH.........luverly smell. B-in-F

As the Faces Album said: "A nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse!" Sorry you were put out, and a**holes to your aquaintance....... B-in-F

Just a wee correction from the original post concernining 'those frenchies'. In GB you have to nod as taking your hand off the throttle (nearest side to on-coming traffic) means the bike dies on you! French riders pass on the clutch lever side nearest to on-coming traffic so lower their hand off the handlebar grip giving a low wave or 'v'. (Not a high wave, btw, just at tank level) I do nod when passing others when moving slow at junctions when both hands are needed to control the bike. The French will often move over (cars) to let bikers pass, even on single carriageway roads, and the rider lowers a leg to thank the driver/rider just passed. Usually I get a cramp in my leg though! B-in-F

Good luck with the bike. Properly kitted up we (me and my now wife) toured France way back in the early eighties - tent, sleeping bags, kitchen sink etc. Great two weeks. Didn't mention the brakes. In wet weather the bike had brake delay as the pads can't disperse water on the non-drilled discs easily. Very disconcerning when heavily laden, as in touring, chucking it down in the Alps! Enjoy. BeePee

Hi Charlie. I had an XS750 back in 1981, triple as you say. (Model upgrade from 750 to 850 around that time) Heavy bike but perhaps they all were then. Not so sure on reliability. Let me down with major electical breakdown in London once. Had to be trailored home. Expensive replacement Yamaha part, I remember. Also chrome exhaust system fell apart so replaced with 3 into 1 aftermarket goodies. Good side; comfortable tourer, positive pick up with shaft drive but not breath taking performance. I kept it for a couple of years but heard of serious engine failure some months after I sold it on in it's mid 30k miles. Would check out valve clearances and cam chain state and life expectancy. As most bikes they're expensive maintenace items and more so if you don't get them adjusted or changed at the appropriate time! Hope that helps. BeePee

Perhaps we all could be a little more tolerant? I don't have a centre stand on my bike. When I want to check oil level I sit astride the bike while wifey looks at the oil window on the sump. But can you guess how to get the rear wheel out without a centre stand (or pit stands etc), huh.......? If you're nice to jbri I'll let you into a big secret....... But remember, be nice. Bee Pee

Hi Karim and welcome. Like most of us you might like to join in chatting or problem searching on more than one forum. I spend some time on the Yamaha Diversion Owners Club Forum (as I've an XJ600N). I'm sure you will find out more there as they are for the specific bike, 600's and 900's. There's even been threads on the XJ400S. Hope to see you there. Enjoy the bike BTW. Bee Pee.

I thought you had it up for sale? Bee Pee

Hi Bhodi513. I'm not an expert in old Yamahas but the XS 650 had calipers mounted behind the forks, two of them! There is a possibility that I've only got to see the later models and previous models may have been single discs mounted in front as this was the configuration on some other models in the late 70's when front drum brakes were replaced by hydraulic discs and cast wheels. I think the XS650 retained spoked wheels though. So you could be right...... Just an opinion. Bee Pee

Hi Martin, good to see you amongst the Yams. I'm in and out of here and the Diversion Forum. Look it up if you're not already familiar with it. Oh, and welcome....... BeePee

Hi jane Welcome to Yam speak. I suggest you ask technical questions on Yamaha Workshop, this is a 'banter' channel though very lively and lots of fun. (True y'all?) Just join in where you want to. Bee Pee

Go to the Yamaha Diversion Owners Forum, Sparkey. They might be able to point you in the right direction. Bee Pee.

Nice bikes but not many bends on your motorways!!!! Bee Pee

A very nice line up of bikes, if I may say so. Would the Diversion (SECA II) be the later result? Bee Pee.

I've the same problem with the frenchies over here. They call them 'anti' fog lamps but they don't make the fog disappear! Front fog lamps, as I understand, are meant to illuminate the road immediately in front of the vehicle in thick fog. Drivers don't seem to realise they are not trained or aimed at anything, hence their blinding effect. Rear lamps are again equally mis-used. BEE PEE

Hi! Your problem is exactly that, too much humidity. When the humidity is very high in the air, and all it does is pee down, you won't rectify the problem of your SHED. I have a wooden shed and I put my bike in it over the very wet winter just gone. Condensation formed on just about everything. You need lots of ventilation to get the water content in the air out of the shed (when it's stopped raining). Open up the door(s) when the sun's shining and cover the bike to keep it warm when it gets cold. Above all, keep your bike somewhere else if it's getting spoilt! Best I can offer..... Bee Pee

Afterthought, if you're not already there go to the Diversion Forum and post up your piccie. Bee Pee

Hi Stevie 9183 I've just seen your red machine. I'm a bit curious. Nice looking bike but an N with a fairing? Must be a DIY Diversion S. Did you buy it like that or is it all your own work? BeePee

Then you'll need a goat!!!!! BeePee

My wife took the time out this week to add up the cost of motorcyling bits, insurance, clothing etc in the last year since I bought the XJ600N. She was proud to tell me 'more than the bike!' Bee Pee

It's good fun here, I've found. Excellent company and diverse topics. Enjoy! BeePee

Bonjour et bienvenue! BeePee.