cliverlong

Hi, I get bad finger tingling and numbness after an hours riding on the XJ6. The engine doesn't feel "lumpy" but the buzz through the handlebar grips is at a frequency that affects my hands. Googling has shown that HVMP in the US produces some "heavy" (17oz) bar end weights which are made out of stainless steel and considerably longer than the standard XJ6 bar ends. There is quite an impressive Youtube video that shows on a particular bike how effective the weights are in damping the vibration (or moving it to a different part of the rev range). Does anyone have experience of these bar ends and can vouch positively or negatively for the benefit in reducing "buzz" through the handgrips? Thanks, Clive

Hi, I have had a look around and the XVS250 only seems to be provided with a side stand. In London, parking areas are very tight and a sidestand results in the bike wanting to take up to 2 bike spaces. Does anyone know of a custom centre (center) stand for the XVS250? Thanks Clive Long

Hello Does anyone know how to adjust the "reach" on clutch and brake levers for an XV250 Virago? They are a bit "far" for a female friend who has just bought an "N" reg model. Apart from that she is very happy with the bike after a small overhaul (the bike, not her, that is). Regards, Clive

Has anyone fitted the R&G "tail-tidy" http://www.rg-racing.com/RGProducts/productgallery.aspx?page=1&sku=LP0079BK To a recent Yamaha XJ6 Diversion and still have all the original parts for the Yamaha supplied hugger, licence plate bracket etc. etc? I need to refit the original parts to my XJ6 since the pannier brackets and the position of the R&G bracket cause the sling-over panniers to obscure the rear indicator lights. The original parts will "push out" the indicators from the rear of the bike so they become visible beyond the panniers. If I can refit the original I will then have an R&G tail tidy to sell. :-) Regards, Clive Long

OK. I rode about 40 miles on the M2 and about the same on the (slow) North Circular Road. At slow speeds there is a slight buzz fropm the screen - which might be fixed with some self-adhesive foam frame sealant where the screen is screwed to the fairing. At higher speeds I believe there was a reduction of wind buffetting. I would have had to have an identical bike with the standard screen to compare the two. I am fairly sure, and I have read this before about such "flip" screens, the wind was being redirected to the top of my shoulders and my helmet. I noticed that at 60 mph the vizor of the helmet was pressed shut which didn't happen when the standard screen was fitted, indicating the increased air flow over the helmet (well that air had to go somewhere). I am pretty certain there was an increase in wind noise - which makes sense. This all seems negative. However, at speeds between 70mph and 75mph I definitely felt more "secure" on the bike and as a result I don't think I was gripping the hand grips so tightly and I was less tired after 90 minutes on the bike. I also think the fuel ecomnomy improved by about 5mpg - but that maybe because I was doing a lot less stop-start riding than I have done on the bike to date. I didn't notice the screen restricting my vision of the road or other vehicles. Overall, a marginal to worthwhile improvement in my general feeling of security and stability at higher speeds. I will wear ear plugs in future not because of the noise from the engine (that's amazingly quiet) but because of the wind noise. Do I regret buying the screen ? Not at all. What next? Maybe a gel pad for the seat. Having one integrated under the seat cover seems the more attractive but expensive option. Clive

All sorted. I think the problem is that Picasa "wraps" the file in lots of HTML to give the appearance of a photo album, whereas I guess this forum just wants a link to a file, with no website "wrapping". I copied the picture to the "public" area of my Dropbox account, obtained the public URL of this file, created a post on this forum, clicked the Image toolbar button, pasted the URL that refers back to dropbox file and within a couple of seconds the image appeared within the post. Great stuff. Thanks Clive

Photo comparing Ermax and original Yamaha XJ6 Diversion screen. The new screen was an exact fit, no screw holes out of place. The screen is fixed using 6 nylon/plastic screws and the whole process to change the screens took 5 minutes. Obviously I have to look through the screen for "up close" objects, which is why I bought the clear rather than tinted screen. It doesn't look completely out of place on the XJ6. Try out tomorrow with some motorway riding. Clive

Hi, I am trying to upload a link to a photo of an Ermax screen. The photo is on my Picasa account and has "Public" access - which (I think) means as long as someone has the URL then he/she can click through to the image. When I create a post and click on the "Image" button on the toolbar and enter the URL of the image, the post fails with the following mesage in RED >> You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community. << I sometimes use DropBox to hold files "in the cloud" . Can I use that instead as the source for the image? In fact, I'll try it now. I can't find instructions to upload images to the Forum gallery (another possible way to link to the image from my post I am thinking). Can anyone provide the link to the instructions? Thanks clive

I was thinking along the lines of some "extender" but couldn't think of suitable material that was thin but rigid. Painted plywood should do the job. I will give it a go in a couple of weeks when I'm going to buy some plywood for another job Clive

I bought the Ermax screen. Going to fit this afternoon then taking a trip between Barnet and north Kent tomorrow - so should have a good idea if it has improved buffetting at the end of tomorrow.

Let's say 3 = enthusiastic but incompetent. The reading around I have done on the R&G licence plate holder and having lifted the seat, there seems to be little "play" in the wiring to the brake light and the indicators. In principle, it would be "nice" to adapt the existing holder by putting some kind of "extender" between the underneath of the seat and the licence holder. The picture I have in my mind is this will "push" the lights a bit further back, enough to clear the frame and the panniers. The thought that troubles me is the wires just won't extend that far - although maybe some kind of multi-plug / wire extender might do the trick. As I wrote, I'm prepared to have a go and I would rather not shell out yet more money and throw away perfectly serviceable parts. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Tell me how and I'll do it.

Hi, In one of the photos I linked to in my original post, I have shown by a yellow arrow that when the panniers are fitted, then you can't see the indicator from a side view of the bike as it is obscured by the bag. I think the original XJ^ licence plate holder has been replaced with the following item: http://www.flitwickmotorcyclesexpress.com/r-g-tail-tidy-yamaha-xj6-tail-tidy-lp0079bk/ as the holder of the light above the licence plate on my bike has the stamp "R&G" - a bit of a giveaway. From the picture of the tail tidy on the web site link above I think one can see the indicators get positioned much closer to the brake light than in the standard bike. I have sent a message to this company, http://www.yamabits.co.uk/yamaha-xj6-licence-holder.html as this version of the licence plate holder may project enough to "clear" the rear panniers. Regards Clive

Hi, I bought some some Givi luggage for my new (2nd-hand) XJ6 Diversion. The racks fit securely, even if the fitting process was fiddly. However, the T275 rack slightly obscures the rear indicators and the situation is worse , in my opinion, when the panniers are fitted. On the following image: http://www.motorcycl...exd.asp?id=1090 the rear indicators extend much further back than the rack. On my XJ6 one part of the rack lies "in front" of the indicator lenses, hopefully that is clear on the attached photographs. (first time I have tried this image sharing) https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink However, the indicators are clearly visible from a distance behind and the the side so I don't think this is a safety issue. However, when the panniers are slung over the back and the straps under the seat, not matter how far forward I position the panniers the rear indicators are completely obscured from the side of the bike. Is this a safety issue in UK or anywhere in the EU? Is there a fix? All I can think of is somehow getting the indicators on some stalks projecting backwards. Any help would be much appreciated. Clive

I bought an 18th month old XJ6 Diversion with 4200 miles on the clock. I was a bit suspicious that it had such a low mileage but it all seemed genuine so I went for it. Obviously, the potential power and acceleration is a big step up after riding for 3 years on a 125. Overall I am very happy with the purchase of the XJ6. The idea was (is) to keep the 125 for ultra-low cost daily commute into London, a 30 mile round trip. The 125s insurance is paid for in one week riding at around 90 miles to the gallon. I wanted a 4 cylinder 600 for longer journeys (100 mile plus). My reactions may be about the switch from a 125 to a 600, rather than anything XJ6 specific. I find the XJ6 very stable on the road. I too sometimes find the key does not turn in the ignition. First gear can be found with a big "clonk" sound. The riding position I find is very comfortable, I am 5 foot 10 inches tall with a relatively short inside leg measurement. The XJ6 is no more difficult to wheel around than the 125. The bike has plenty of acceleration and top speed for me - much more than I have the nerve to handle. I don't like the high-speed (80mph for me !) wind buffeting - which again I think one would get with any bike. I have bought an extended "flip screen" which has yet to be delivered. I will post some pictures of the fitting process and comment whether the screen feels effective at reducing wind buffeting. I had hired a Honda CBF600 in Northern Spain for 5 days light touring. The Honda's engine was smooth and powerful but I felt pushed forward against the tank and after a few hours had squashed nuts and sore shoulders. I much prefer the upright seating position of the XJ6 Diversion. I have added a Givi 40-odd litre top rack and box - which was a real fiddle to fit under the plastic at the back but seems really secure, being bolted onto the frame, and can swallow a helmet plus other stuff - the claim is the box has a 2 helmet capacity. I also bought a Givi T275 frame plus sling-over soft panniers for the back, the idea being I wanted the carrying capacity of the panniers for touring but the ability to take off the panniers and store them in a small space when not required. I am less impressed with the pannier rack as it partially obscures the rear indicators - but I will post separately on that. Maybe there is a standard fix for that. Thinking back I probably would probably have ended up with a better result if I had bought the bike with custom luggage fitted. Regards Clive

Hi. I just picked up my new (second-hand) Yamaha XJ6 today. I drove it back gingerly after the recent snow in London. The roads were dry, the sun actually came out and the bike was very stable and responsive. This is a big step up for me from my 125 which I still have for town riding as it costs about one shilling per year to run. I don't fancy leaving my gleaming new bike to be bashed in small London motorcycle bays. The XJ6 is currently for weekends enjoyment and trips away. So where to go? Baltic? Spain? Any suggestion on luggage? One of the grizzled characters in the shop suggested Oxford "sling over" expandable soft luggage that could be taken off the bike and stored when not needed. http://www.oxprod.com/index.php?pg=3&action=dept&id=184&pid=0&p=