2023 Yamaha Niken GT | Sports Tourer Launch First Ride

Love it or hate it, you must admit it's an amazing bit of kit. Yamaha have made some significant updates to the new Niken GT and Chad's been to Italy to ride it.
#yamaha #niken #bikeworld

[@luddite6239]

A one-make race series with this would be quite a spectacle!

[@abracing199]

ill take these over king of the baggers honestly

[@motocritic]

+1

[@simonhughes-king8493]

I had one for a week in 2021, loved it. Great engine. Fantastic front end confidence, just felt like a two wheel bike with more grip. Didn't like the soft bags, glad they changed that. Can't say I noticed the rear end lacking at the time. I really like the forward looking engineering and Yam has done it brilliantly.

[@thetwowheeledintrovert3367]

I got to ride the older model of these while my bike was being serviced, and thought it was brilliant fun. I ride a R1M, so not the target customer, but this was brilliant. If you’re curious take it for a ride, they’re great.

[@Szlejer]

One with the MT-10 engine (to lug around that 260kg+ weight) would bring tears of joy to my eyes.

[@nickhellen6303]

Or tears of fears

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Tears of anguish.

[@FastRu-kl7iy]

This is why Japanese marketing loosing to European marketing

[@motocritic]

Exactly my thoughts.

[@peter58murray]

done 6k miles on mine ..its fast enough as is!!!!..my niken beats my mates brand new 1200cc tiger easily

[@cosmicsurfer5911]

At my age, this looks a winner. Now to afford one.

[@1TotalNoob]

If I had the money, this would be pretty good for winter commutes to work and back. More fun than driving a car.

[@syncrosimon]

We were in Corsica in March and saw a bunch of these. A truly interesting bike.

[@elbowsout6301]

Nice little review. They look awesome. I wonder if they are coming to NA this year? I would love to take one for a test ride see what it's all about.

[@newtype101]

Finally, a proper review of Yamaha Niken GT. Ngl, the bike ahead of its time. Really awesome. My very first question when this released was "this bike aint going to fall isnt?" lol

[@BibtheBoulder]

"this bike aint going to fall isnt?". In English?

[@dorstefan]

This is not a review. It's just advertising.

[@ArtstradaMagazine]

this is such a cool looking bike. At night it must be seriously cyberpunk looking

[@gaz-gemw5801]

It does look awesome, not sure it’s my cup of tea, great vid. 😊😊😊😊👍🏻

[@dumitrascuraul4729]

Real life transformer 😅. Like it 👍👏

[@mrbjay5443]

That bike is INSANE...It is INSANE!!!

[@taz473]

I rode one and its amazing, I'd have one 💯%

[@johnfitzgerald4274]

Thank you.

[@jason915]

Yep I can definitely see someone putting a sizable turbo right in between the two front Forks

[@PepperGeorge]

Brilliant

[@budmiller3823]

What does it weigh? And how limited are the options for front tires?

[@MrZahir.]

Brilliant bike

[@alphajed7700]

I think the windshield adjustment lever should be on the left side.

[@glimpseofcambodia]

1:31 When you lean on the corner, I can say “This bike is meant for fun!”

[@NeonLuvBar]

As of April '23, you can still buy a pre-reg Niken GT 900 (old model) for £8k from some Yamaha UK dealers (eg Appleyards). Half the price of the new model.

[@motorcyclehustle]

With a similar design But with a traditional motorcycle layout Imagine Yamaha makes a Niken 1000 GT with the MT10’s engine? Uff that’s goosebumps and a final competitor to the Multistrada V4

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I would like one.

[@peter58murray]

got my 21 plate niken with 200 miles on clock for 8 grand!!!!....was 14k less then a year before i bought it..wait a year and these 2023 bikes will be sub 10k

[@user-hf8ie8mf3n]

“Scrape-y”….seriously Chad, you make it look like you’re riding a grom. 😆 Too mature son! 👍🤪🇨🇦

[@baconbaconbobacon]

Surprising! Thought this was discontinued and forgotten.

[@TheOriginalCoda]

Does it have a track mode? 🙂

[@chucklesthefireguy5356]

It's cool.

[@Gofr5]

I didn't know Yamaha was still making the Niken. I thought it died off already. Interesting. Seems they just don't bother to import them here to Canada anymore for a few years now.

[@dpinedoblog]

The most important question: how is it for two-up riding and comfort? This could be golden for two-up touring. Anyone?

[@herorajesh1239]

Top

[@lestersmyth692]

Are these classed as a motorcycle or trike?

[@grenphelps7455]

I think Yamaha should make a mt10 version, that'd make them sell better 😅😅

[@motocritic]

+1

[@oramac7237]

I rode a 2019 Niken GT at a demo day way back then, and totally agree. It's a fantastic bike! If you could somehow manage to put a rider on it without them seeing the front end, they'd never know it had three wheels. And now I also really want to see someone put some sticky rubber on this and take it to a track!

[@aluisious]

It's not a bike.

[@oramac7237]

@@aluisious Ever ridden one? Doesn't sound like it. I will admit, it's ugly. But it's absolutely a bike. And a damn good one, at that.

[@nickrider5220]

If it runs out of clearance on the road it'll grind itself to oblivion on track - would like to see it done though...over to you Chad !

[@istanbulianb]

@@oramac7237 No. "Bike" = abbreviation for Bicycle i.e. 2 wheels.

[@nunobb3455]

@@istanbulianb that is why it is a motorcycle and not a bike

[@AdamForeman]

This bike reminds me of the Wheelers from the movie The Return to Oz. Anyone else remember that?

[@Snoozzzzzze]

As it’s a trike do you need to wear a helmet in the U.K.? 🤔

[@abdussamad2851]

Yamaha all bike's looking is very smart😮

[@DanielACroft]

It is actually not a (motor)bicycle though?

[@paullacey2999]

I think I like it...

[@markhinde6187]

Forget about filtering on this one, if there is a large group with you on a tour I guess they will have to wait......... LOL

[@mrromeoutagha668]

Like decepticon in transformer movie 😂

[@Ashes-9]

Is it a nightcrawler or something ?😮

[@_Makanko_]

How are those side mirrors? They look hard to use because of their size and position. Cheers

[@Q.Q.]

Is it thin enough to allow for lane-splitting?

[@motocritic]

Yes.

[@Guitarooster52]

Why? Is it for older folks who are struggling with weight and balance?

[@BrainDamage4]

Don’t like the bike but Sir Chad’s feedback is always appreciated

[@pilninggas]

I had a Niken GT and I loved it - I only chopped it in because I am 5'6" and it was quite tricky to use on uneven ground. Would love another.

[@OldDogZeroTricks]

This 2023 Niken has a narrower 10mm lower seat for easier reach to the ground.

[@dalemeadows225]

Would buy literally any other bike in the world before that thing

[@davide1771]

£16k is a lot, but the last one was reduced by £5k....I got one for £10.5k

[@Sirsethtaggart3505]

I've got the older Niken GT......I absolutely love it. The best bike I've ever had. Nobody else seems to like it though and bikers don't nod back.

[@desmomotodesmomoto2033]

THEY SHOULD MAKE THE REAR END LIKE THE FRONT END.

[@AustrisPhoto]

And now give it to us with R21/R18 wheels 😊

[@matthewbrown7659]

It seems like the market for this bike is really tiny... because if you can ride it then you can also ride a regular motorcycle (unlike a full size trike where pretty much anyone can ride it even with many physical disabilities). So its target audience is regular motorcycle riders who want something with more front end confidence and who also won't mind the added weight and maintenance (gotta rebuild 4 forks instead of just 2 every now and then!), and I imagine you're a little more limited in terms of tire options with those 15" front wheels. I think it's great that Yamaha let their engineers build this thing and make it work (letting your engineers explore weird and interesting problems is a great way to boost their creativity and experience), and I'm amazed that it works as well as it does. I would hate to have the marketer's job, though, trying to sell this to riders who largely specifically *want* to experience the full complexity of riding on 2 wheels and enjoy developing the required skills to ride well. People who ride have already decided safety and practicality are low on their list of priorities.

[@stang393]

The target rider is someone who wants to ride in any weather…ive seen people put chains on and ride these in the snow lol

[@matthewbrown7659]

@@stang393 That was something I wondered about, how much stability the two wheels on the front give in *really* slick conditions since the rest of the bike can still lean over and needs a kickstand.

[@stang393]

@@matthewbrown7659 i have one and while i was playing in the dirt doing donuts, the front wheels grabbed so hard it suprised me because i was expecting a slide and threw me off lol. Amazing machine.

[@bigstinka1]

Does it wheelie?

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

There are a couple of wheelies in the vid.

[@jimbean5991]

They still make these?

[@elgar6743]

Exactly...there are still many 1st gen models in Yamaha showrooms under some 3 inches of dust. No one bought them. Can't really blame real motorcyclists passing on overly complex, snowmobile looking tricycles that are no better than similarly priced regular motorcycles.

[@HKvsGlock]

Yeah I thought they were discontinued too. I see the appeal if you want to stand out but for most it’s not practical.

[@DayumSonny]

For appearing like the motorcycle equivalent of a gorilla, it looks to ride very well. They should've gone the Honda/H-D route and had the Apple Carplay/Android Auto in the display.

[@TeslasSecret]

Couldn’t agree more about your second point. Every bike maker should do just that, and I can’t fathom they don’t go for it.

[@Waldo1122]

The fact that some motorcycle manufactures still don't use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is unbelievable.

[@Hemlck]

Why would you by this over the Tracer GT9...I don't get it..sorry

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Please Yamaha. Give it up. Put your money where two-wheeled lovers want it. MT-10 tourer with bigger tank. Better TFT sizes on your other MT line. Cruise on your standard MT-09. New Super Tenere to replace the dinosaur. New FJR1300 with another 30 horsepower and less weight. Repurposed Vmax engine in some kind of Goldwing competition.

[@nickrider5220]

It's a trike, three wheels = tri bike, two wheels = bi Whatever, it's good fun, but I'm totally happy with my bikes and can go plenty fast enough around corners with 2 wheels.....plus £16k 😮

[@mikewolf394]

This bike is in the game Death Stranding

[@terrellgarren7125]

I would have nightmares about reselling one.

[@lennykibbs260]

Why not just go MT-10 motor

[@veljkovic92]

Because it eats gas and it would cost 22.000+ eur. Rarely who would buy it.

[@Promax-lf2yz]

There won't be one next year probably

[@herorajesh1239]

Hii sir

[@iamguillaume]

problem is the Niken only has an advantage when you drive it very fast. This is not the road conditions for 80% of riders today (cops, traffic, etc). I understand everybody can appreciate it on a "race day" but for their "normal life" they won't buy it. It would have been a better idea to launch this concept for a more casual and city usage first (like a super MP3).

[@BravoJulietAlpha]

Interesting

[@darkMoon202]

It should have an automatic transmission, actually.

[@aussiesam01]

I rode one a few years ago and found it to be so underpowered that I was glad to give it back to the dealer.

[@elithegreat6463]

It's a Bike that can definitely Grow on you...👍

[@brendanelliott1676]

How heavy is this bike when fuelled? Clever suspension it may have, but there’s no hiding a heavyweight.

[@boyeagiselias1025]

🐫

[@ralphwarom2514]

The MT09 engine is not strong enough to carry that weight and keep the same level of power. Put in an MT10 engine and ......still no. XD But I'm sure it has a market.

[@shadowred1980]

Never seen one on the road. Only the ones the dealers are forced to take are in the country.

[@davidbesant]

Did anyone actually buy the old version? I've never seen one except in a dealers, and I believe it's still there. Niken, answer to the question nobody asked.

[@martinhughes9769]

I could be missing the point, For me why go to all the expense, two tyres and the cost of repairs if you get any issues with that front end set up , Two wheels or are Car with four , lots of available bikes for this price, not for me doesn’t do anything , not even interested in giving one a go ,

[@gilanderson3923]

Yamaha, please make a Niken front end on the FJR1300.

[@SSS-mp8th]

Amazing technology but just so odd looking with the double front fork.

[@mr.uzumaki5626]

Still need stand, 4 front fork.. damn waste 3 wheels. it should design like can am.

[@unenthusiast]

You could buy two of the previous generation for 16k!

[@colinb9183]

Yeah and we've all got 16 grand in the bank,I'll stick with my triumph thunderbird thanks

[@laryangel4082]

t

[@Bugside]

Crazy price for a gimmicky Tracer

[@BlackDogRocks]

Good for people with disabilities

[@alanyesilipek7959]

not bike. TRİKE

[@bradcobb3418]

🥴🤢🤮

[@justsmashing4628]

A bike with training wheels…

[@ilpuntouk]

nope..

[@kugangles9860]

Yamaha spends the money to overhaul this niche bike that nobody really wants to own but throws the FJR1300 to the wind. Weird move.

[@efficacitejm]

If three wheels were better than two, so all race bikes would have three wheels, but it's not the case. In fact, it will alloy a less skillful rider to go fast.

[@mbal4052]

This is a touring bike, not a race bike. 😉

[@Labgorilla]

Yamaha have to stop making this bike. Engineering masterpiece, sure. Pointless? Absolutely . Won’t sell enough to warrant the R&D of developing the machine.

[@hovishill2779]

Why do we buy a bike? ………. Because we like it……. The way it sounds, the way it rides, the way it suits our needs…….. and the way it looks. The Niken might fit quite a lot of our needs, but boy is it UGLY and for that reason alone I wouldn’t buy one. Let’s see how many people actually spend their own hard earned on one!

[@PwnstarUK]

Terrible bike. If you can’t filter just take a car instead..

[@clintbuhs7708]

90% of us can't legally filter anyway.

[@mbal4052]

Filter where? I did 200 miles today and never met traffic…

[@clintbuhs7708]

Bi: two. Tri: three. It's not complicated. You don't get to change the definition of words out of laziness or fashion. I have nothing against the machine, but it is not a "bike".

[@elgar6743]

Yes, they're fun and work well. However, is it BETTER than any other $ 16K premium 'regular' motorcycle?? NO, it's not. The snowmobile aesthetics on this tricycle and the overly complex front suspension are definitely engineering high water marks BUT making something more complicated with no improvement over a more simple set up is, to me, patently failed engineering.

[@clintbuhs7708]

How is having something approaching double the front end traction and stability not better, at least for some types of riders? I don't understand your perspective.

[@elgar6743]

@@clintbuhs7708 I agree...tricycles have more front end traction...and that, to me, does not make it 'better' and especially so when factoring the excessively complex nature to attain that 'traction'. BTW, that very slight edge of 'better' traction is only when riding 'at the limit, during low traction road conditions'. What street motorcyclist rides 'at the limit', on wet or slippery road conditions?? Let's keep it real, please. We obviously have different perspectives...so, when are you taking delivery of your new Niken?

[@clintbuhs7708]

@@elgar6743 I'm not in the market for a new bike. I bought an adventure bike 2 years ago that I'm still getting to know. That said, I still find your position oddly dismissive. Many riders have anxiety over front-end traction, and not just while pushing limits. There's also the comfort factor that was presented in this video, where potholes become less of a jarring experience. In many parts of the world that is a big win. Happy miles.

[@greenbow7888]

They look like disability scooters.

[@Ducatijay72]

I was about to say, does this wheelie 🤔 bet Chris could do better one 😉

[@nepasprendreundictateur1235]

Safe and doesn't fall easily like two wheels.