Yamaha has revealed an updated version of its XJ6 including its faired Diversion and Diversion F versions for the European market. The XJ6 models were first introduced in Europe in 2009 as the latest member of Yamaha‘s XJ series and a replacement for the FZ6 as a middleweight all-arounder.

In recent years however, Yamaha Motor USA decided to keep the slightly sportier FZ6R in its lineup and pass on the XJ6 models. Yamaha has yet to announce the FZ6R for 2013, though it was included in a recent Environmental Protection Agency spreadsheet.

The updates to the XJ6 are mostly cosmetic however, with new side panels and headlight design the most noticeable differences. Other updates include a grippier seat surface, new passenger grab handles, transparent turn signals and backlit LED display. Continue Reading »

Yamaha unveiled a new version of its YS250 Fazer for the Brazilian market that runs on gasoline, ethanol fuel, or a  mixture of both. The new YS 250 Fazer BlueFlex is Yamaha’s first flex-fuel model, but the manufacturer says it plans to add more BlueFlex models in the future.

Brazil is the world’s second largest ethanol fuel producer and the most successful biofuel-based economy. About 90% of all new cars sold in Brazil use ethanol but flex fuel motorcycles are relatively new.

Honda launched the first flex fuel motorcycle in 2009, the CG150 Titan Mix. At 249cc however, the Yamaha YS250 Fazer BlueFlex becomes Brazil’s largest-displacement flex fuel motorcycle. Continue Reading »