Icon Strongarm II street jacket review

I've been riding with the Icon Strongarm jacket for a few months now, and figured I'd post my thoughts.

This jacket breaks in well after a few rides, and begins to conform to the wearer for glovelike fit. The shoulder, elbow, and back padding is confidence inspiring. The jackets materials feel up to the task of real world protection. As with all of Icon's jackets, the Strongarm is tailored for the riding position. As such it is in its element on the bike. Movement is unhindered both while riding and while perusing the racks of whatever store you've stopped at. The jacket's normal looking denim/leather materials also reduce the Are-You-A-Famous-Racer looks from other patrons. I like low profile clothing.

My only complaint with the Strongarm jacket is with the useless liner. It is neither warm nor wind resistant. Any riding under about 50 degrees is downright freezing. Also, while there are vents in the shoulders and back, it can still get a little steamy while riding in hot weather. To that end, I recommend this jacket for riders in moderate climates.

I bought this jacket from RideGear.com for about $215. It's well worth the price, but Ride Gear's shipping was a bit slow.

Nothing new to update

Well, I haven't wrenched on the bike for a while. Been riding too much to tear it apart to work on it. Anyway, here's some background info from the always helpful Wikipedia:

The Yamaha XJ600S is known as the Diversion in most parts of the world, and as Seca II in North America. The bike is a descendant of the earlier Yamaha XJ600 models that were manufactured 1984-1991. This model is fitted with a 598cc, air-cooled 8-valve inline-four engine giving 61 hp (45kW) / 55 Nm output. The engine was tuned from the original XJ600 model towards improved low- and midrange power, sacrificing some of the peak power in the process.

The 600cc Diversion models were manufactured from 1992 to 2003. The US Seca IIs were manufactured from 1992 to 1998. As the Diversion/Seca II design is based on an earlier well-matured bike model, changes made to the bike during these years were rather subtle, mostly concerning improvements in fairing, a second front brake disc and small oil cooler appearing in 1996 model plus improvements in carburetors.

This Yamaha is considered an affordable entry-level bike that can give plenty of fun for its price. Despite its sporty looks, the Diversion features a more standard riding position than most 600cc sport bikes, making it an excellent commuter bike as well.