2019 Yamaha Niken GT vs. Yamaha Tracer 900 GT

We ride Yamaha’s Tracer 900 GT and Niken GT back to back to figure out what makes the leaning three-wheeled Niken tick. What is the Niken GT? Old man’s bike or brilliant innovation?
We were sitting on a couple Adirondack chairs in front of a quaint general store when an old man with a cane sidled over to admire our motorcycles.
“Nice bikes,” he said.
“Thanks,” I replied. “Take a look at the front end of the blue one and tell me what you think.”
He hobbled over and nearly fell over backward. “Gawd. I was not expecting that… What’s the point? Does it still need a kickstand?”
It was a weekday at 7 a.m. during off-season in Los Olivos, on the outskirts of California’s touristy central coast wine country. It seemed like half the town had already stopped to chat with us out of sheer curiosity. One guy even slammed on his brakes and jumped out of his truck to inspect the bike. “Carey Hart lives around here, so I figured it was his latest build,” he explained, as if to justify his rashness. He walked around the bike, clearly perplexed: “I’m not sure what to make of this thing.”
We could relate. I wouldn’t say the bike looks like something Hart-the freestyle MXer-turned-customizer-would build, but that’s because it’s too outlandish looking, too evidently designed with function over form in mind.
We were riding the 2019 Yamaha Niken GT. And like the scores of curious onlookers, we were wondering if the leaning three-wheeler is the answer to a question no one is asking. Testing it against a normal motorcycle-Yamaha’s own Tracer 900 GT, with which it shares a version of the crossplane three-cylinder engine from the MT-09-seemed like the best way to find out.
Michael Gilbert, CW's resident pro racer, and I had headed for the green hills of the central coast, slogging through the clog of Southern California traffic, in search of answers to numerous lingering questions. Namely: "What is the point of the Niken GT?"
First things first. Last year, Yamaha updated its FJ-09 sport-tourer and renamed it the Tracer, which is what the rest of the world’s been calling it since it debuted for the 2015 model year. Dig out $12,999 (an additional $2,300 over the base model) and you get the GT version, which comes with hard bags, heated grips, and cruise control.
On paper, the Tracer 900 GT seems like an ideal package, taking the functionality of sport-tourers of yesteryear, but editing the form to appeal to modern preferences. For riders who’ve been swayed by the upright ergos and style of ADVs but who don’t want any of the off-road pretense, the Tracer GT is a heck of an option. And like the Kawasaki Versys 1000, is a lot less expensive than bikes with a similar ethos, like the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce, KTM Super Duke GT, and Ducati Multistrada 950.
Much has been written about Yamaha’s three-cylinder engine, and it lives up to its reputation. It’s tractable, revs quickly, and sounds like its airbox is filled with a swarm of hornets waiting to sting your nether regions. If you’ve never ridden a triple before, don’t assume they feel halfway between a twin and a four. They’re more akin to fours, if you ask me. Busy-sounding and revvy like your average four with a bit more "space" between combustion events that gives a throatier exhaust note, and its tuned for more torque down low.
Also like some inline-fours, the Tracer can be a bit buzzy, especially above 6,000 rpm. Which makes the smallish mirrors pretty useless at speed. The gearbox is very slick and the quickshift (up only) works pretty seamlessly.
Throttle response can be toggled between the unfortunately named “STD” (standard, presumably), “A” (most aggressive), and “B” (least aggressive). “A” mode makes things a bit harried, considering the Tracer’s sport-touring intention, and especially so considering Yamaha’s three-cylinder motor is notoriously on the jittery side when it comes to throttle response.
Gilbert notes that the Tracer feels a little stiffly sprung for a sport-tourer, but when ridden aggressively, the higher loads move the suspension deeper into the stroke of travel and the bike feels balanced. But dialing in some compliance would make the Tracer a more comfortable tourer.
There are a few characteristics that put the Tracer into the light sport-touring category. Wind protection isn't overly abundant, so there some buffeting at freeway speeds (we'd choose a larger aftermarket windscreen). Also, the panniers are on the smaller side; I filled one bag with a backpack and the other with a weekend's worth of stuff. The TFT dash is also a bit small, and I found the switch gear and navigation through dash info and settings counterintuitive.
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[@scottnineteen]

I just rode a Niken - love it. That dual wheeled front end not just feels more assured but likely would have saved me from at least two of my four road accidents I've had over 40 years of riding. In fact I rode a new Kawasaki Z900 retro straight after the Niken - and it was good, weirdly similar in fact, great motor but....there's just one front wheel and maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day ya going to take a dive because of that. Oh and this US west coast or no rain motorcycling testing ...you might as well be on Mars for all the relevance it has to those of us where it rains every other day in winter.

[@johnnewell9750]

Where can I buy one?

[@leroyjones769]

FANTASTIC review man. WELL DONE by you👍👍👍

[@dukenukem7183]

THANKS FOR CURING MY INSOMNIA

[@andrewsmactips]

Great review. Lots of detail.

[@yassim0008]

Good review bro. I usually don’t do this but.....I subscribed

[@pistolpete6321]

Great comparison!

[@MyMednas]

If the Niken had 1000cc, 140 bhp, shaft drive and a bigger tank, it would make a great sport tourer.

[@dainjahrus]

This video feels like stock footage with naration over it. Add more pep to your voice and throw yourself and some conversation into this review. It needs more life. Otherwise, good info.

[@dudleyhaines9826]

Yes. Lose the vocal fry.

[@steve-wu7jp]

Yamaha's signature dime store turn signals

[@patw9175]

6:20 Very little front end dive you say? On a "bike" with two separate forks at the front I'd hope so!

[@MrAndrew1953]

The Niken GT makes good sense as as a tourer to me. I think Yamaha should fit the shaft drive off the Super Tenere. How would it go off road with a more aggressive set off dirt road set of tyres?

[@Bredaxe]

The Nikken looks cool, but I'm not sure if the added expenses and weight are worth it for me. It's more expensive, I'm sure it costs more to service the front suspension since they're doubled now, and you need to buy 3 tires. Not a huge deal breaker, but im buying the Tracer GT next. It would have been nice if they put the MT10 engine in the Nikken to compensate for the increased weight.

[@Battlegris]

Well my wife and I are happy owners of both a Niken and a FZ-07. The expenses of a Niken are not that different from a 07-09. Every 12k it has to have it's steering bearings greased (same milage as any bike in the fz range). It's about an hour more in labour. If you service the forks, you'r looking at about 1/2 hour more than any other bike. The two front legs are (as I understand it from what the dealer told me) not "true" suspension forks. They are mostly just there to keep it in a straight line, therefore also easier to service. The extra tire is an added expense, but honestly not mutch (pretty mutch just a large scooter tire). Getting about 43-46 mpg even with the added weight.

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Well I watched the whole thing, on comparisons I often cut to the summary. Sounds like a standard niken + Givi panniers (exist for the niken?) and at least the grips would be a better bet than the N GT. That lcd - not as pretty as the tracer's tft but prob better functionally.

[@sivanm2130]

Finally someone takes it to the twisties

[@Boadhion2wheels]

Sivan Mozes There’s a rental outfit near Deals Gap that has a Niken that gets ridden there. I’ve seen it on there and while it’s not my cup o’ tea, it handles it well. I’ll stick to my Tracer GT though.

[@Raptor-kc9vh]

Help me out here. Why wouldn’t you just buy the fjr1300? You can literally find new 2018’s for 13900... Tracer is way over priced should be like 9800-10000, Niken is also over priced but at least justified for engineering.

[@Raptor-kc9vh]

Scott Hunter how you like it so far. Really been debating one for long trips. But not doing anything until next year.

[@Raptor-kc9vh]

Scott Hunter good info thank you. Same here 5’10”. I’ll try to find a Yamaha demo during biketober events this fall. I have definitely been narrowing my sights on that bike because I really want something for the longer trips, but still want to be able to dive Into the corners also. Thank you.

[@Boadhion2wheels]

I thoroughly enjoy my Tracer GT. I bought it back in February and have done two four-day trips on it already. Yeah, the sidecase are a bit on the smaller side (22 litres), but with the topcase it’s perfectly fine for tripping. The seat does completely suck, though (hurry up Sargent).

[@cpuuk]

They should have added 20-22L fuel tank.

[@johnnewell9750]

Where can I buy one?

[@jonasmanny3726]

Tracer 900 GT is a very good bike! After 2 years with I'm still in love.

[@pnwgreg300]

So Tracer is a sport tourer but still hard edged? And smallish luggage for a weekend trip? Sold

[@jeffk1485]

That's exactly why I bought one. I'm old enough to want some comfort, but not too old that I also don't want peel-your-face-off acceleration and something you can throw into a corner, then listen to the sweet, sweet growl when you give it the beans.

[@dardobartoli]

@@jeffk1485 Agreed..

[@wangt875]

Tracer GT is really good bike.. love it!! Greetings from Malaysia!

[@johnnewell9750]

Where can I buy one?

[@markhosbrough9180]

Anyone know if this niken gt would be covered as m3 in Virginia license

[@JR-rj8nd]

I want to buy the niken but dont think it fill fit through the door of my shed.....

[@charlesg.8615]

@5:51 coming hot! Seems like it doesnt corner like normal bike

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I'd rather have the Niken, and I've done 250,000 miles on conventional motorcycles.

[@Applejack1396]

No joke, no joke. How cool would a bike be if it had 4wheels in a niken like configuration. Still rides like a motorcycle but has car like traction

[@motopiknik]

So much advertising about this bike - but the main question is still the same: how much of them Yamaha had sold?

[@patw9175]

tracer. sound. so. GOOOD

[@EM-ks5my]

I bet the Niken costs more to produce hence they cut on the storage and other parts. Funny that the Niken looks like the bike from Death Stranding, that game with the guy from the Walking Dead.

[@vanislerider7311]

I think Yamaha missed the classification in the Niken. It should be an ADV bike. Give it another inch of clearance, a variable taller windshield, bigger bags, specialized tires, and the option for spoked wheels and this bike would match any of the ADV bikes out there now with the priceless benefit of a frontend that wouldn't wash out in some soft spots, gravel or sand. Really, it would be insanely good as an adventure bike.

[@superwag634]

Imagine the double front plowing on a sandy track 😅

[@hankgs]

MT-10 is on my WANT list...!

[@Banditmanuk]

I've got one. They are amazing.

[@ronmimnaugh7674]

The tracer gt is a bargain bike. If you fixed all of the mentioned shortfalls, it would be the price of the Niken. At $12999 it is a fine bike. Who wants to add the cost of a third tire?

[@bhupeshagrawal1246]

This three wheeler bike safe for physically challenged person.?

[@pippipster6767]

Definitely a solution to a problem no one had ... and just creating more problems. More weight, more tyres, less economy. Daft. Very daft.

[@jasonellis112]

Niken is the future.

[@roberthillman1]

I've never met a girl who would do a a 12/14 hour ride

[@user-ls4ze3ed5f]

Если спереди два, то сзади логично было бы три!

[@stevenhurwitz8704]

Love the Yamaha Ni can I get a 50 CC

[@alfredoborges447]

Nice, but it would be much better without the annoying music. Surrounding music is becoming a plague!

[@billycushion9266]

Knee-ken

[@tougerider1827]

Man, that was a boring review! I read in my head more excitedly than that. Get some emotion and excitement please. Stopped listening at 2 minutes...and skipped to the conclusion?

[@timothyseabrook1584]

You don't have to spend extra for the GT model, just get the standard model and fit some decent Givi panniers and a set of Oxford heated grips plus a Scott automatic chain oiler. After that you can do want you want with it if you fit a Givi top box you can even get a back restfor your lady! To keep her happy on th back, the niken will be much easier to ride in Ice and snow on the commute with the front wheels locked up right much better than trailing your feet on the ground in Icy or snowy Road conditions it doesn't snow often in the UK but previously I've found myself on the Euston road in London in winter on a BMW in front of a snow plough! Until I could slither to the road side to let him past to make the road way easier to ride on it was the yellow rotating beacon that gave him away!

[@goobersdaaaddy]

Coffee

[@Banditmanuk]

Hardly seen any Nikens on the road here in the UK, loads and loads of Tracer 900's around. The Tracer 900GT is way better than the Niken, I've ridden both and to admit you lack cornering confidence is to buy the Niken. Also the fuel range of the Niken is not great for a tourer.

[@Smaug1]

Still not interested in tricycles. Not since I was 3.

[@Bredaxe]

And since they're not exactly flying off the shelves, why not just give it a front wheel lock out option, and compete with trikes and Can am Spyders? Older riders would flock to them for sure.

[@Roy_Godiksen]

Grip = Weight + friction. This is 4th grade knowlege. So you do Not get more grip with two tires. You get more grip from the 50+kg (100+lbs) extra weight over the front. Strap some barbells on the front of the Tracer and you get the same effect. If you're looking at these two, i'd go for the Tracer 900 GT. But you should Really go for the MT-09. I've riden all of them, and the MT-09 is by far the best, cheapest and most fun. Just without the fairings.

[@JaySilver72]

You, sir, perhaps should have taken 5th grade science I guess. The friction is increased by the amount of surface area in contact with the road. More wheels= more surface area. "Weight" is not a linear constant. When cornering, "weight" becomes centrifugal force which acts to pull you and the bike to the outside of the curve, not downward. More weight does not equal more grip while in motion. Don't worry, Physics ain't easy.

[@jerrytee2688]

Please, just stop it. How many ways can you try to rationalize this abomination?

[@dodzillad185]

"How to make video w/o understanding anything".. Bad job. Close the channel please