2019 Yamaha Niken GT Review - First Ride

The rain stopped just minutes before I entered the corner at a healthy clip - only to find that it had a decreasing radius. Then it went slightly off-camber. Not an ideal situation by any means. Still, the good folks at Yamaha insisted that less than ideal traction situations were where the Niken GT’s two-wheeled front suspension would shine. The assertion being that if one contact patch momentarily lost traction, the other one would make up for it. So, I grit my teeth and dialed in more lean…
The corner would have been extremely sketchy on your typical motorcycle - though I wouldn’t have been going as fast on one in the wet conditions in which I was riding. A couple corners later, as the right front tire spent a little too much time on a tar snake with the bike leaned over, I got to actually feel what it is like when a contact patch does lose traction. The bike tracked like nothing was wrong, betraying the one-wheel slip with a slight oscillation of the handlebar. Essentially, it was a non-event. The combination of those two moments on the 2019 Yamaha Niken GT won me over.
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[@conscious4895]

This is the best review of the Niken I've read, so far. Excellent description and examples of who and what this bike is for. How the two front wheels add stability in cornering, and how it would be great in the rain for regular commuters or tourers. Well done, Evans!!

[@aluisious]

I already had something that used two front wheels to add stability in cornering, called a car. You should try one. It's great when it rains, it uses a roof and fans to stay dry but breathable!

[@danschofield6345]

I actually watched the review, not exactly sure how you read a KZbin review to be honest... ;-)

[@PapaP86]

@@aluisious This thing is, for all intents and purposes a motorcycle, but safer, more stable and more traction. A car is not that.

[@robertmcdougall8409]

Great review ...Having ridden the Niken i found your review to be both accurate and informative.

[@nareshsaravanan9148]

Great review. Love that minute details you gave about front suspension and other stuff!

[@scottnineteen]

I just rode one....absolutely marvellous. Lovely front end, well done Yamaha, bring on the mt10 version, I’m not sure why now you wouldn’t want two front wheels. Braking is solid, I felt safer, simple.

[@MJT-DA]

Honda: bet no one can make a motorcycle based on a anime like us Yamaha: *H O L D M Y B E E R*

[@kenjikunuwu3644]

Ha its funny cause yamaha is a japanese Manufacturer

[@MJT-DA]

@hhhk20 still got 58 likes youmadbro?

[@MJT-DA]

@hhhk20 I have bad self esteem because I got likes? What kinda logic is that lol. And I am educated I'm 1 year away from B-TECH Engineering. You judging someones IQ from a comment on the Internet is kinda low for you is it not? "Thank God, I'm not you". I'm I supposed to cry now lol?

[@MJT-DA]

@hhhk20 Why are you so angry lol? Bro chill. No need for 3rd grade name calling lmao! 😂😂

[@misterman1371]

@@MJT-DA he didn't use any 3rd grade names though lol you are a dumb, even 1 month later

[@marvingill3539]

Absolutely stunning & unbelievably awesome work.

[@alejandrodg82]

Awesome video!! Loved the detailed review, answered all I wanted to know!

[@robertp457]

I've been waiting for this ever since I heard about this motorcycle. I'm hoping it's a bunch of fun.

[@douglasw4082]

Not a bike for me personally as i love my mid-cc lightweight nakeds. But it sure is an interesting piece of engineering and a generally good idea. The fact that the Niken (standard) is sold out already i think supports that claim. Good stuff

[@VTECheart]

Hooray! Evans is prob my favorite MoRon. Mispronounced the name, but great review, insightful and articulate as always.

[@elmoomle4565]

Niken: Yamaha's answer to a question that no one asked...

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

elmo omle That’s what I said until I rode it!

[@elmoomle4565]

@@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist I have no doubt that it rides well but at what 'cost'? Increased complexity, increased weight, along with now having 3 distinct wheels tracking distinctly down the road vs. the usual 'single tracking' of motorbikes which means increased ability to hit that pot hole/obstacle with at least one wheel. Oh, and the crazy price for all this bounty? And don't get me started on the snowmobile aesthetics... Yeah thanks, I'll pass. Good review btw Evans!

[@mar7909]

Yes this thing is just plain stupid.

[@dantefitti6678]

@@elmoomle4565 “...having 3 distinct wheels tracking distinctly down the road vs. the usual 'single tracking' of motorbikes which means increased ability to hit that pot hole/obstacle with at least one wheel.” Who does answer this objection?

[@elmoomle4565]

@Max Pain I respectfully disagree. There is always a reason that a rider 'goes sliding down the road' and it's most usually due to 'rider error' not because one bike had better ABS/imu/traction control etc. Many have and continue to commute in all weather with 'regular' bikes and the vast majority do not go sliding down the road. The overly compex Niken behaves no differently than any regular, modern motorcycle. Developing good riding skills is key....

[@tunctoker856]

great video. Thank you Evans. One more reason I can think of for buying this is to practice my leans safely. I would love to own one.

[@TheVickersDoorter]

Had my GT since May and love it. UK sales can't have been that hot, as I picked mine up new for 2/3rds of the retail, so it's been win-win.

[@fullnoeleko]

Thanks for this review and your enthusiasm

[@ChronicTHCBlaze]

Brilliant engineering by Yamaha!!

[@Intissaarr]

Yes more weight, both unsprung and rotational, more complications, this is brilliant!

[@boomerhgt]

Yeah right a year later they are selling like hot cakes ...I've still never see anybody on one

[@themotorcycleshed380]

Very good review.

[@LifeOnTwoWheels]

Great review evan, I like your style

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

Thanks!

[@cdelten]

Guess it'd 've looked a lot better with the front shocks placed on the inner side of the two wheels...and guess you gave one of the best reviews for this bike... 🤘🤘

[@CanTURKeyed]

best review, greetings from Turkey

[@edysinsimon8646]

This is the 1st 2/1 motorcycle I've decided to go take a look at!

[@mws3779]

This is a pretty cool Machine I really like it. This bike reminds me of when Yamaha put out the GTS 1000. Yamaha continues to put out mechanically interesting machines.

[@aluisious]

No, it's not a pretty cool machine. Anything with 3 wheels is fucking stupid. 2 are fun and 4 are practical, 3 are for morons.

[@PaulMEdwards]

@@aluisious I pray you never become partially disabled yet still have a desire to ride.

[@austinreed347]

aluisious or a nice medium?

[@austinreed347]

aluisious at least in these times in the old days know this is obviously coming from my dad I’m only fourteen but he always rode 3 wheelers which were extremely hard to balance and were also really dangerous hence why they don’t make them anymore

[@austinreed347]

But it gave him incredible balance and even in his older age and bigger body he can balance a 4 wheeler on 1 wheel

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

The screen needs to be three-way adjustable: high, medium and right down, and the bags need to be the hard cases the Tracer GT comes with.

[@reissnerjify]

Just curious from a physics standpoint, wouldn't the rear be more prone to sliding out due the front having so much additional grip. It would seem that being able to go into a wet corner because the front can hold it would make some riders push to hard due to false confidence.

[@RobertMacCready]

Interesting review on a very interesting concept. There were so many people signing up to ride it at Daytona Bike Week I couldn't get near one. Was told they would be signed up for the day just after 8 am. There is a lot of interest in this bike. But it also brings out the boooo birds...how dare anyone thing out of the boring box!!!!

[@jugjames6835]

I'm picking up mine tomorrow from RIDE NOW MOTORSPORTS . It's a strange looking bike that's different it fits my personality to a T. I love all the extra features and I'm looking forward to putting miles on it

[@6thwatergateplumber]

Older riders would seem to want to consider this bike too. A little more stability with diminished reflexes can't be bad. But I hope Yamaha will take some time to consider the bike's aesthetics more, and work on that.

[@T100ley]

This is awesome! I don’t get to ride as much as I like, and honestly part of it is because I live in the Midwest. And it’s no secret the roads and weather are pretty unpredictable especially on my daily commute and makes the ride on my bike more nerve racking than enjoyable. This could provide just enough confidence that I can enjoy the ride as opposed to white knuckling it on my daily commute and make me more eager to try out new roads I’m less familiar, without having to be as cautious. I have been riding dirt bikes since I was 8, got my license at 17, and had a bike ever since. So I’m no stranger to riding, but as rider who likes to push it when the context is right, which is rare, this might get me out on 2… I mean 3 wheels more often! 😂 Yamaha’s engineers did an incredible job, I’d take this over a can-am any day!

[@scottnineteen]

Steering quickens (and lightens) a whole lot after 5000 miles or so. I've done 20k miles on mine now and it might be time for tweak of the numerous steering heads. In fact I put a 180 section rear on for a time and it was almost too quick. It darts and carves like nothing else. Which is to say maybe it takes some time on one to really appreciate what no understeer - ever! feels like and what it means for the riding experience. So now two wheeled motorcycles feel like they're forever wanting to push, the y feel inherently fraught in this regard. The carving sensation on a Niken is surely unrivalled.

[@lungulet]

This bike with MT10 engine, shaft drive and quick shifter up and down :D

[@motorpolitan8884]

And 300kg?

[@kenmorrison1725]

Love it!

[@kirtleyburggraf8786]

Watching the Tour De France right now and saw several being used as support vehicles. What better advertizing?

[@jbaker7134]

Yamaha at it again, after the GTS1000 ??? Next can we get a Niken GTS1000 combo? I actually like the dual front wheels, with visions of higher speed corners in mind.

[@sequentialgear]

Great concept, Yamaha just has to make it look cool, and trickle down this technology onto cheaper models!

[@simonflr]

Nice review, interesting to look at, I don't want one (but I like mid-size naked bikes, love my Bonneville t100).

[@CPUspeed]

I found the machine gun mounts a strange option especially since skynet is going live soon :) Great review as always!

[@MontysMotos]

It's interesting for sure. Even here in AZ a lot of people wash out on unexpected sand and loose gravel. I'd be interested to see a brave individual do some testing.

[@PaulMEdwards]

My wife is interested in this Niken for that reason... She had a few lowsides and gave up 2-wheels. Was considering a Can-Am Spyder for her, but this is a much better option.

[@mantan_rtw]

Given the popularity of MP3 in France, this should sell well there. Yamaha is still half-hearted on the GT. This needs hard saddlebags, larger tank (250+ miles), and bonus will be the e-shift of the FJR AE or SCS of MV Agusta TVL

[@colinclarke4285]

If I could be so bold as to comment ...the reason why the Piaggio MP3 is so popular in France is the fact that it can be ridden by car licence holders (that's why I bought mine)..the Yamaha niken on the other hand doesn't fall into the same category that would allow it to be ridden on a car licence....it's all about the spacing between the front wheels apparently...plus a few other rules that Piaggio actually built the MP3 around thus making it conform to the trike law...the niken looks great but another thing would be inexperienced riders who have little or biking milage under Thier belt .. getting on one of these would be a recipe for trouble...and if they were full licence holders I doubt they would want to ride a niken

[@isaiahgagnon8877]

You know what would be really futuristic. Taking the 2 wheels. And when you want to join them together making them one wheel. With 2 contact points. Maybe future bikes should look like tron. Two wheels front and back. But slim and sleek.

[@milespennington5255]

how is it maneuvering in tight areas? like cities?

[@CorbinGoodwin]

I'm pretty sure I saw you guys testing these last week while I was riding up to the bay, good to know it was the press and not an owner's club.

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

Corbin Goodwin There were two groups of 10 bikes riding along the coast between Goleta and Paso Robles.

[@CorbinGoodwin]

@@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist Then I'm quite sure it was the press, I was on Hwy154 and no one waved back haha. Or maybe I got one or two...

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

If I saw you, I waved. That’s the type of rider I am. And we were on 154.

[@Velocess]

By far, the best video since Kevin and Tom bailed.

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

Thank you!

[@grantsdad98]

Looks like CA 229 between Creston and Santa Margarita. Oh yeah, and a cool bike.

[@munsami1990]

❤good on you mate too good sir 😊

[@1219magnum]

Strange looking unit, but certainly engineered to overcome some obstacles 2 wheelers can't handle. Is maintenance costs for all those forks/disc brakes and other front end stuff more?

[@amoulet69]

Is there any kit to convert this bike to belt drive? I hate the chain maintenance :-)

[@gothmorph]

Groovy ride ...

[@da72ma]

Bloody cool but I have only one question: "How expensive is the service cost at the shop compared to a non Niken?"

[@aluisious]

I imagine the techs just point and laugh.

[@boomerhgt]

Are you kidding it looks horrible

[@johnfitzgerald4274]

Thank you.

[@suchethh]

Can you counter steer on this?

[@dinosabelli8652]

I won't buy one, but I'd love to try one.

[@pfineyut]

I fell in love with the Blue and silver Gen 2 FJR 1300 (I bought one). I fell in in love Niken......except .....it doesn't have shaft drive :(

[@johnnewell9750]

When will they be here?

[@michaeldy1139]

I wonder what the next iteration of the Niken will have...CLearly this is a very good first try, visually, i find they need to do more work on the design aesthetics though I do find the 2 front wheels visually striking, I feel there is also something lacking visually. I wish Yamaha good luck with this mode, ill certainly buy 1 if i could.

[@paintup46]

As ugly and as pointless as I think think this is, I can’t get over my appreciation for the engineering that went into this. So much so, I would def buy this thing. The more and more I see of it, it seems like an excellent sports tourer.

[@macspud28]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHakdnxpi6qFmw

[@scottnineteen]

Not pointless - safer, better braking, reassuring. ...I just rode one.

[@PapaP86]

@@scottnineteen This. In situations when you're doing with wet roads, and/or tar snakes like mentioned in the video, as well as unexpected gravel and other road debris, this adds quite a bit of added safety compared to a normal motorcycle.

[@scottnineteen]

@@PapaP86 I agree entirely and I now own one. It's awesome. It's like fantasy motorcycling, most of the thrill and so little risk, some admittedly, but way less.

[@PapaP86]

@@scottnineteen Awesome. At some point I may consider getting rid of my FJR1300 for one, but I'd like a bigger motor and larger/better hard luggage with key locks before I could probably really be convinced.

[@tripeee58]

I'm with Derek! I've been waiting for this since Piaggio came out with the mp3 250 in 2010! But the price! Wow! At that price I'd have to make the step up and get a 2018 K1600B leftover for another $1000 and be done with it. I was really thinking it would come in a lot less expensive. Although I understand how this would really be super attractive to anyone who was having any problem still riding a two wheel motorcycle and didn't want a trike. This is the best of both worlds, safety with three wheels while still retaining the feel of two wheels. Over $17k and no hard bags is an insult. A 4.8 gallon tank @ 45mpg = 193miles with .5 gallon reserve. Maybe in 2021 I'd buy one used. I still LOVE IT though!

[@epride38]

thinking of getting 1 now

[@bfarm44]

This is something for me. I wish it locked like the piaggio but that’s my nerve damage issue. I didn’t want to like this but like a moth to a lamp, I like lamp. I am going to put in a solid effort to acquire one of these. I don’t know what happened but I can’t stop staring.

[@bertus_tehe]

What's the different Niken GT & Niken?

[@bfarm44]

Had me interested right up to 17k+ not a chance

[@joshuaryan1125]

Does it do wheelies?

[@fabiosantos8591]

Being a sport bike, probably is a high motorcycle, you forgot to tell if for a short rider, when they stop the bike is necessary to put the foot on the ground? if not the bike can stay stand without falling since it has three wheels?

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

No, the bike doesn’t self-stabilize. You have to put your feet down.

[@mdreza6199]

love to this

[@bharatmulki9805]

nice video

[@raynic1173]

Has anyone else noticed that although they are counter-steering the bars, the front tire does not point toward the outside of the turn like a normal two wheeler does in a counter-steered state. I've watched several videos and this seems to be the case in all of them, hmm. 0:14. So all though the Niken gets the tire(s) to the inside radius of the tire, it does it in a totally different method with all that linkage, and if that's the case, then the fact that it countersteers is an added in affect by the engineers to make it feel and steer like a two wheeler, they could have made it a non-counter-steering mechanism. It seems that the steering mechanism forces a lateral movement to inside radius, 0:16. With a two wheeler, counter steering is a function of the bike folding at the steering head due to the front contact patch being moved off axis with the rest of the bike. Does that make sense to anyone else, or did I have to much sugar today?

[@notabhi01]

*3:57** scared the sh!t out of him* 🤣

[@andrewoldham4462]

I really like this and at first I will admit to getting a lit it excited thinking it might be classic as a trike but it's not it's a real shame because all the others are mostly just based on already large scooter with a larger front wheelbase

[@TheClaycel1]

I have a yahama tricity, its great.

[@rzu7120]

They should have adapted the hard luggage from the Tracer 900 GT.

[@kwakaj14]

i like it but i would like a bigger motor & shaft drive , perfect !!

[@nadunwijesinghe965]

But can u wheelie it?

[@PapaP86]

If this thing came with a taller/adjustable windshield, a large/more powerful engine (140hp +) and the hard cases from the FJR (or at least other larger key locking ones) I would actually consider getting rid of my FJR for one. It'd be a great sport tourer then and I'd feel better about riding 2--up with the added safety.

[@Slycarlo]

I wish yamaha would have the same tft display like the bmw gs1250 and have a 2nd display that can be used as a gps

[@CUBEoneVX]

"my butt doesn't hurt, I'm ready to do more miles"

[@jiyushugi1085]

Actually, it's pronounced 'neken', like the 'ne' in neat. 'Ni' means two in Japanese. Niken means two swords. It's also an ideal bike for disabled riders. Nice review.

[@macroevolve]

I thought it was 2 bikes side by side when I first seen a side picture of this bike.

[@arthurpendragon9079]

Ought to have belt drive or a shaft.

[@bseidem5112]

Belt. Less weight.

[@johnnyking2965]

I'd buy one.. Its different.

[@chrisclarke3645]

I think its a few years in front people are not ready to change, I think is a lovely bike myself once bmw, kawasaki,honda start doing there version people will take hold, Just like the zero electric motorbike people are against it at the moment but like it or not all manufacturers will be building theres for the future.

[@Chance-ry1hq]

So, if you want to ride the twisties in the rain, this is the bike for you.

[@f1sk8mm]

On the 2020 edition you put a k-kup in behind the headlight and get a cup of coffee from the bar end

[@keithulhul7540]

Add some nobby tires and crash bars. This will be a near impervious adventure tourer.

[@jamesharold891]

It would be great if Yamaha applied this concept to their snowmobiles.

[@raynic1173]

Ha, add a knobby to the rear and some skis up front...

[@46Laxis]

If having two wheels on the front is so great why don't they put two wheels on the rear for more traction, more confidence around corners etc?

[@DivineMike379]

might as well get a damn car then?

[@46Laxis]

@@DivineMike379 Exactly, this tricycle is for those people who don't really like motorcycles.

[@kizaruzahidi394]

So there are third wheeler

[@tgwilson89]

I like watching Evans videos.

[@windmillman]

“Evans’s videos” 😂

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

If I had a two car garage I’d buy it in a heart beat and use it for extended touring.

[@thegolflife7565]

Nice tricycle

[@cdubbleyoo]

Is "leaning multi wheel vehicle" what yam is calling it? I heard this on the Adam Waheed's review... Aren't ALL motorcycles leaning multi wheel vehicles?

[@aluisious]

@Atlantic Pacific It's not a motorcycle.

[@mechmuzic8290]

It's something to do with having three wheels and the capability to lean. Theres things like the slingshot which has 3 wheels but turns like a car

[@macspud28]

@@aluisious Wrong it is a motorcycle but not a motorbike.

[@alklovebusybusy8565]

Yamaha niken ka prizes kitna hai

[@kentrosario3170]

This is a bike for those people who wants to increase their odds of returning home alive.

[@vincentmeredith2561]

When you want a can am spider but you also want it to be reliable

[@danielferdinand921]

The newer Spyders ARE reliable.

[@macspud28]

can am spyder is a sit on three wheel car with handlebars, the Niken is a three wheel motorcycle.

[@austinreed347]

macspud28 which one do you want?

[@bitey6709]

Glad to here they're sold out . Would like to see more development, i e , reverse. And was wondering how much easier this could be for riding invalids.

[@addicted2baseballrgd21]

I wouldn't want to buy this for two reasons 1) not the bike for me 2) pricey. Having said that, I wouldn't mind renting one. I think I would have some fun on it for a few days. Just can't see riding one through out the year.

[@macspud28]

Rent on for a couple of weeks, you may change your mind.

[@SS081985]

How many CC?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

MT-09 sourced engine, 847cc triple.

[@alextsimpoukis6482]

SO MANY SAFETY FOR 900 .I LL WAIT FOR THE 1300 MODEL

[@faustin289]

If it can't do lane splitting, then it's not a motorbike. Pure and simple!

[@nikobellic94]

You can do lane splitting on Cvo limited and Indian Roadmaster😨

[@PaulMEdwards]

Who says it can't? Looks doable to me. I lane split using my FJR with the hard bags attached on my 85 mile daily commute without issue.

[@hinazukikayo6816]

futuristic

[@rob_9876]

Sorry, I still don't get the use case for this -- add that much weight and complexity just for rain (where you still have about 90% of dry traction), yet still has a chain to maintain and non-waterproof side cases? At over $17K this just seems like more of a novelty bike, perhaps a trike for those who don't like cruisers?

[@Zirconium5DRiFT]

rob9876 they made this bike for science

[@babybopkidsrock5713]

So in two days he got two chances to lose the front? I want to ride but this is kinda off-putting.

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

What are you asking about? Riding itself or the bike? If it's about riding, yes, wet weather limits available traction. I woudn't recommend the Niken for a new rider. I'd start with something smaller and work up. If you're asking about the bike, I was deliberately doing things like putting a wheel on wet tar strips to see what would happen as part of my testing routine. Entering a decreasing radius, off-camber corner a bit too hot was just something that happened on a sporty ride on wet roads. Did that help?

[@babybopkidsrock5713]

It did help, thank you much for your response.

[@davidrusjan]

missing those 200 horses