Is this XJ600S Diversion a good deal?

[13aines]

Hi all,

Been considering something ste to ride this winter. Something bombproof that I can just use and not give too much of a st about.

This 1998 XJ600S Diversion popped up on Facebook, just 40 miles away. He wants £650.

Supposedly 55k miles, recent lick of (boring) matte black paint and gold wheels. MOT'd until Sep 2015.

He says its recently had new chain & sprockets, carbs clean and balanced, brakes refurb all round with new pads, a new battery, fork oil and seals, engine oil & filter, tank cleaned and flushed, and coolant change (is this not air cooled??)









Seems like a good buy to me, and i'm tempted, but as i've said i've only been loosely considering a winter hack really. If this is a good deal though I might go have a look and sell it next year for the same after a winters use. This would keep my 675 a bit nicer, and only cost me a pair of mirrors and a few months tax with any luck.

Thanks.

Matt

Edited by 13aines on Tuesday 21st October 19:58

[13aines]

The guy said he cleaned out the oil cooler when he changed the oil. Think he's just not great with his terminology - hopefully he just has a mate that knows what he's doing, and he holds the tools!

I think its a reasonable deal if its as mechanically sound as it sounds, but I don't have £650 to spunk - let alone on something I don't really desire, but fulfills a useful purpose - so i'm really on the fence, despite the fact that the stty weather and gritting is rapidly approaching.

[13aines]

He did mention a 2000rpm chatter which he says is just the clutch basket - now i'm not so sure. He said the usual, its an easy fix etc. - well why haven't you done it then?

He has someone going to look at it saturday morning. If they pull out I might have a look, else I'm not free until sunday anyway.

[13aines]

If you're serious please post some info... While i'm not desperate for one (who's desperate to get a divvy?!) I could do with something like it, and have the money to buy one ASAP if it's not too far to travel.

[13aines]

Wow, thats mad low miles! Certainly interested - seems a better buy if it will get through an MOT without wanting anything. Email me your phone number please

[13aines]

I'm thinking the same. Only small problem is that it's a 100 miles away, and I assume MOT-less?

Julian64, let's chat - just email me your phone number when you can

[13aines]

Yeah, it was an unlucky end to 2015... I had been thinking about posting about it and my concerns about getting back on the horse.

November 17th some pillock round the corner from my house pulled out straight into my path. I came off trying to (and successfully) avoid him.

Somehow I broke my C2 vertebra, seven ribs, shoulderblade and cheekbone! I've been very lucky, and after 4 days in intensive care, and 3 in other wards, I was home with just a neck brace for 6 weeks. I'm now in a foam collar for another 6 weeks.

I'm gutted - the poor little immaculate Diversion I purchased from Julian64 now has a bit of damage - mostly cosmetic - but I think it must have been the finest example around so it's a bit of a bugger!

I lined up all the bits (bar the front fairing, silencer and tail fairing) from a guy breaking one for just £75, but he let me down and didn't show up when we were supposed to meet. Heard nothing since.

I'm now back at university 50 miles from my workshop, and my stepdad is sick of having no space with my Austin Mini and Daytona 675 tucked up in there, and now the Divvy.

Edited by 13aines on Saturday 31st January 10:41

[13aines]

I need to get rid of it if anyone is interested? Just need some space and cash. I plan now to just ride my Daytona 675 in the summer so this is surplus to requirements.

I did 300 miles on it, so it now has 3,050 miles on it. I'm only the third owner. Second was Julian64s wife, and the first was her brother.

It's an old bike with some accident damage, but if you want a winter hack, it doesn't need much to get it back into usable condition, and other than the accident damage of course, it is in like new condition and the engine and running gear has just 3,050 miles on it - so good for dozens of winters to come.

Needs:
Front fairing repair
Front axle (only ~£5 ebay),
RHS engine cover ( only ~£15 ebay)
Rear brake pedal straightening

Could do with:
Front brake lever mount (mirror mount sheared clean off)
+ RHS mirror
Rear undertray (indicator broken clean off attached to lump of undertray)
+ Rear indicator

Cosmetically damaged:
Front indicator lens scuffed
Bar end scuffed
RHS silencer scuffed and lightly dented
Front brake lever scuffed
Screen scuffed
Rear right fairing scuffed
RHS pillion grab handle scuffed

If I were to continue to use it as a winter hack i'd repair the front fairing, straighten rear brake pedal, and replace the front axle, engine (electrics) cover, undertray (+rear indicator) - these parts are inexpensive on ebay and the undertray could probably be repaired where the indicator mounts.

I'd do these bits myself but I just don't have time to source the bits again, and do the work now back at uni and not near the garage.

Includes Givi E50 top box that is nearly new, and the rack which is just a little scuffed after the accident.

[13aines]

Nope... I didn't hit him, and there were no witnesses, and no cameras around. My word against his sadly and he's a lying bd.

[13aines]

julian64 said:

Holy f***. Just read this. Hope you are okay.

When it comes down to it the bike doesn't matter compared to the damage you took. Bikes are meant to be ridden and the bike probably had more fun with you in the last month than it did in the last four years waiting for my wife to ride it.

The problem with that bike is that the sum of the parts rapidly mount up to more than the cost of the bike because of its age. I remember looking on ebay for a new tank for it to see if that or lining the tank would make more sense. Ebay was full of people trying to sell bent of damaged tanks that were obviously heaviy crash damaged for ridiculous amounts of money.

On the subject of seeling it I'm sorry this happened to you. But it might be worth more as parts on ebay.

Thanks Julian. Yeah i'm okay - thankfully i've been very lucky to require no surgery, or even the metal halo which initially were the best options. Also fortunate to not have broken any limbs as that would have made life tricky - at least after a couple of days I was able to get up and have a walk about which has certainly aided my recovery.

Yes, it would be a write off without a doubt if there was an insurance claim. Thats the only positive of there not being an insurance claim - its too tidier bike to write off! There are front fairings on ebay for £100-200 that aren't in very good condition... it's madness. Thats the bit I know i'll struggle the most to find if I try to get it back to how it was. If I were to keep it i'd just repair the cracks and live with it though.

I think I could easily make more than £500 if I were to break it but I really don't have the time until the summer, and my stepfather wants some space back in his garage desperately so it's got to go.

Vincefox said:

Sorry to hear about your off, glad it's not worse.

Personally i'd patch it up and keep it as a winter/wet bike. I bought an old vfr750 last year and have been able to ride it in all weathers and conditions, it's pretty liberating having an old cheapy 'wet' bike to use. Keeps your hand in and stops you getting rusty without knackering your good bike.

Thanks mate.

It was very liberating having something I could fill up the topbox on and use in any weather, and leave anywhere without concern. Although its a dull bike, I really enjoyed it for that reason alone!

However, i've realised that motorcycling is risky enough and you can get messed up pretty bad in small accidents. I don't want to put my family through something like this again. I considered swapping for a BMW 330ci and buying a track bike when I get a decent grad job and can afford to do plenty trackdays, but I can't bring myself to swap the Daytona for a car yet.

This year I won't be riding until the summer so i'll just ride the Daytona, and next year I think a good compromise on risk would to be to just ride when the conditions are good, so again, i'll just ride the Daytona.

If I ever choose to ride in the winter again I shall try to twist my partners mum into selling her barely used Fazer 600 to me - I think the engine in that would suit me much more.

[13aines]

LoonR1 said:

What do you mean he's a lying bd? Who's chased him? Get a set of solicitors onto him sharpish. Do you have Legal Expenses cover on any motor policy? If so, use that amd get him in court. He'll st himself long before that. Police side of things is completely irrelevant.

He stopped, and when the police arrived they took statements from him and witnesses, and then shortly after came to see me in resuscitation at the hospital (bit soon I feel!) and I gave a hazy account high on meds. He claimed he didn't pull out of the sideroad, I claim he did.

The part I have neglected to mention is somehow, god only knows, he has a witness that sides with him - he did not pull out of the sideroad. I wish i'd be conscious, to hear what he was spouting at the scene and argue it, but alas I wasn't.

I'm cannot believe this is true though as I would never have taken such evasive action if he hadn't begun to pull into my path, but as said my memory of the accident is hazy at best. All I can picture is going for the only gap I could (between his car emerging on the left - to turn right - and the kerb on the opposite side of the road) and in the process braking too hard for the conditions and ste tyres. I think I began to lowside, saved it, then highsided.

I also happened to be speeding a little in this 20 zone, but I cannot recall by how much - police said there was evidence to prosecute me for speeding but since I was the only party injured they wouldn't.

It was dealt with for me while in hospital. My stepfather (ex TVP) spoke to the policeman who was at the scene on the phone, who gave the information about the speeding. That was the end of it. I wasn't in a position to sort anything or argue with my family dealing with it I suppose. I know its weak, but thats just what happened.

It was 11 weeks ago on monday.

Edited by 13aines on Saturday 31st January 01:27

[13aines]

LoonR1 said:

Still doesn't mean you can't go for it. It's a civil matter, speeding or any police stuff is a criminal matter and not directly connected.

The question is, on the balance of probabilities did he pull out on you? If a court sides with you then you win 100%. It's unlikely that it'd make it to court as he would probably push it all the way then cave in, much like the dick did with MTB last year. Who is the witness? Is he known to the driver? Quite possibly their testimony would be disregarded if they stand lose out financially, or are known to each other.

Did he pull out though? You do sound like you're not so sure now, whereas you were very clear earlier on in the thread.

I can't believe that he didn't pull out on me - I cannot believe I would have reacted like I did if he just approached fast and braked hard. On the other hand though, I have no proof that he did. I have no evidence or a witness siding with me.

I have no idea who "his witness" is, it doesn't say anything about witnesses on my forms from the police.

I feel like it's a st state really, because I was unconscious I couldn't speak up or contest anything he was saying, and it feels like he has himself a witness and I don't. Perhaps I just feel like that because the witness isn't siding with me, but I can't believe himself or the witness are telling the truth.

I'm astonished an accident like this would have happened to me if he didn't pull out. It's just not very feasible - but then I was face down on the road so I don't know where his car was before he moved it, or where I (or my bike) was on the road.

Edited by 13aines on Saturday 31st January 01:36

[13aines]

Interesting, thanks Loon. I've not really had any other viewpoints, and I guess i'd just put it to the back of my mind and moved on (until I go over it again) rather than being pissed off everyday about it.

My policy with a famously bad three letter insurer included legal cover but literally just ended (27th) and I haven't renewed yet

Maybe I should have already initiated a claim, but my stepdad kinda lead me to believe that my only/best option was to chalk it up to experience, since the police were not going to prosecute me for speeding, and my insurance company didn't have to know about anything. But his view on speeding is very different to mine being ex traffic. I think he thinks I was significantly over the 20 limit and i'm lucky i'm not in the st for as it is - don't know though.

Had I still got the policy and initiated a (civil) claim using the legal cover would an accident then be on my record and my insurance premiums affected? What would there be to lose if I didn't win?

[13aines]

It sure does!

Thanks for the advice Loon, i've learnt something new - really appreciate it. I'll have a think.

[13aines]

st happens. Milking something for every penny it's worth isn't my bag, but when I mull it over I do get pissed off about the implications of this, yes.

The bike is now worth probably £200 less than it was, maybe more. I paid £180 in recovery and storage fees.
Lost a £100 jacket, £180 helmet and £40 pair of jeans. I couldn't work over christmas like I usually do during uni break so £850+ down.

And the biggest non-financial implication: completely fked up my term at uni - missed exams and plenty of coursework and still barely rectified.

So yeah I suppose £1,500 to cover the financial side of things would take the edge off it, but I absolutely despise the "where there's blame there's a claim" culture.

[13aines]

Well it certainly seems mad not to look into it, so I will.

Regarding the jacket, if you don't need it that would be great and tremendously kind of you. Thats the size I generally wear and even looks similar to the RST that was cut off. I dug my old Wolf jacket out but it's a bit worse for wear these days and I planned to buy one to replace the RST before summer.

Where abouts are you? If you're local great, else I'll gladly cover the postage