‘Plane? I’d rather take a Diversion’

Our used bike dealer reveals this week’s smartest buys

Summer came early with a brilliant warm, sunny April and May. With the easing of lockdown in England, the temperature fell and it started raining again. Typical. With air travel off the agenda, my wife and I have a couple of motorcycle holidays pencilled in for this year. St Ives in July and the Cevennes mountains in southern France at the end of August, especially now the 14day quarantine requirement has been lifted. My BMW K1600 will be pressed into service for both trips but I must admit I’d like a cheaper budget touring bike that’s more of an all-rounder.

I want shaft drive, decent comfort and range, and luggage. But choices are limited these days. An old BMW Brick would do. But where are all the budget (sub-£2000) tourers these days? The K100RS is going up in value. So are the old airhead twins. Kawasaki’s seminal GT550 and GT750 fours (I’ve owned both) are mostly ancient and falling apart. I’d still like a Guzzi California, but I don’t want to pay too much. Honda Deauvilles are scarce and pricey and, for me, just a bit too lardy for the power. Suzuki have come late into the tourer market so kitted-out V-Stroms are well over three grand. That leaves Yamaha.

I bought a new 900 Diversion in 2000. It was amazingly efficient and ticked all the touring boxes except for ‘fun’. It was just a tad too clinical so I sold it after three years for a Triumph 1200 Trophy, the T312 model, which also ticked every box except for ‘economy’. But now I’m looking at the Divvie again, because nothing else seems to do the job for so little money.