Niken front end secrets revealed | Visordown Motorcycle Videos

Yamaha Motor UK guru Jeff Turner explains the Niken front end...

[@Clampett01]

I love the audacity that Yamaha have to produce this amazing bike. There are some very nice, innovative things going on at the front end. Well done Yamaha. However, it should be clear that Ackerman's principles for steering has been about for many decades and is used in most automotive steering systems. It is not something Yamaha invented but is essential when steering 2 parallel front wheels to prevent scrubbing. This is because each front wheel will track a different radius in a turn. (Inside wheel tighter than the outside wheel) It is all about choosing the correct length and angle of the steering drag links to ensure that this difference is compensated for automatically when turning in either direction. The car or truck you drove today uses these same principles, It's nothing new.

[@davidwatkin2993]

Excellent demonstration. Bought one last week.

[@xenonozhid3383]

How has it been? I wonder what resale value is like? Cheers, Frank

[@davidwatkin2993]

@@xenonozhid3383 handles great. Well aware of potential problems with resale, especially if 2023 Euro 5 Niken not launched but figure it is a keeper and not planning on selling for 10 years. It will be a classic by then.

[@deanchild9848]

Just awesome

[@johntreadwell6846]

I just wonder why they didn’t make it slightly wider which would’ve opened it up to more older A1 drivers

[@chriswilliams1096]

OK, I get that you have now got double the contact patch (which is good). .. but, there seem to be lots of bearing surfaces exposed to the elements. Is there not the danger that slop will develop in the train of steering bearings which will be costly to remedy? Other than that, a cool idea.

[@user-wf4mz7sg2d]

WOW!! Does this front system need some kind of straightening every other km? A friend currently owns the bike and we've been wondering about it...

[@fariszengi]

Ultimate engineering

[@StarAZ]

This is cool and all but all this weight and complexity and for what?

[@threethrushes]

Two front contact patches vs. one.

[@4482paper]

As a daily tricity rider I can confirm that it doesn't seem to have any negatives in feel/experience, but DOES have some massive positives in assurance in wet conditions, bad roads and emergency stops.

[@stockton350]

Very cool engineering but I don't think Yamaha has done a good job of explaining what problem this solves. I'm all for innovation but this would make more sense as a concept model than widespread production. For most consumers, innovating around electric engines, safety, and reducing costs would be more worthwhile imo.

[@whisperdancer]

stockton350 much superior grip and confidence should be enough.

[@4482paper]

If you live in a country with perfect roads, and you don't ride in the wet, I agree. I live in the Philippines and a Tricity 125 is my daily ride. Relative to the yamaha MIO 125 which it is very similar to, it has significantly improved feel, braking, wet handling, confidence on bad roads. Having ridden the Tricity for over a year, I cant imagine NOT wanting a LMW type bike in the future. The Nikken is probably too fast for Cebu riding, but the 3CT or whatever Yamaha eventually release as a 250cc equivalent electric LMW would be perfect.

[@markoni1986]

So you crash the front and bye bye...probably...4000$ in parts.

[@AlexA-qx9pn]

Crash most bikes going fast enough and this is true.