Yamaha Niken: Overview | First Ride | Motorcyclenews.com

MCN Senior Editor, Matt Wildee takes the Yamaha Niken for a spin, watch how he got on above and read his review here too: www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2...
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I really have to commend Yamaha for having the courage to try something like this. It may turn out to be a total bust for Yamaha, but these types of projects are how advances are made. I hope Yamaha doesn't give up on this in the face of lukewarm reviews. I think they have something here. Keep making it better, Yamaha.

[@tigercs1]

They should offer a model with the Super Tenere motor and shaft final drive. More suited with how the bike will be used by its owners.

[@EliteRock]

There's a simple reason for the Niken's 'unflappability', and it isn't the extra grip; the two front wheels, although suspended independently are rigidly coupled in their track, so a wobble or even tank-slapper that might be induced in a single-wheel front-end by a road surface irregularity is prevented by the second wheel. I want one.

[@banditorunner6946]

Great and honest review

[@Banditmanuk]

Buy one, cover it with a dust sheet, park it in the garage. 20 years time it will be an appreciating and very rare classic.

[@KalaGora031]

stunning Scenic views! Where are these mountains? And ya nice bike too

[@mikestokes3601]

I want to see it on the nurburgring after a couple of test laps, going all out on the turns and corners. Surely Yamaha would be willing to test it there.

[@andydomanski2876]

It will be interesting to try one. I think the front end grip will inspire a lot of riders to lean over into corners more than on a normal bike, which will be a good thing and give more confidence when riding a two wheeler. My main concern is about the cost of maintaining that front end a few years down the line when things start to wear out. Overall though well done Yamaha for thinking outside the box. 👍

[@andychallis9044]

Twice the brake wear , double the cost of replacing front tyres , keep it

[@exothermal.sprocket]

It's more refreshing than a Can-Am Spyder, I think.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I have a Pyder F3-S, and I love it, but I'd like one of these as well, to use in another country.

[@sanansa4567]

For me the Can-Am Spyder is a better design. I have some physical challenges and there are a lot of older riders

[@johncarl5505]

The problem is that, while this Yamaha is more stable than a 2 wheeled motorcycle, the Can Am helps disabled riders. A purist biker won't like the Niken and riders in need of assistance won't like it as well.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@johncarl5505 True. In the same way a Piaggio MP3 would be better for disabled riders, as it locks upright at low speed.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

If I coud find one of these in Thailand, I'd buy it. Perfect for these slippery roads.

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

I love the look and concept.

[@MrTrek164]

It's got a great motor and fun written all over it . I don't think the reviewer actually promoted any of the benefits of this machine over a standard mt09 for instance and just complained about what it supposedly can't do because of its extra weight hhhhmm I ask myself a burg man 650 scooter is a lard arse but is a great all round machine ,but it can't be as it's a lardy arse . I will post my own thoughts as soon as I try one with an open unbiased opinion.

[@Tinmar_Isation]

can it wheelie ?

[@zspence77]

Looking good to me!

[@theeaselrider4032]

Yamaha, with the answer to a question no one asked.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Cliche cliche.

[@25thnight10]

May I know what is that helmet his wearing..?

[@Chrisuk-xg6tz]

Maybe other technology's will filter down to two wheelers.Single sided front forks for instance would be pretty neat.

[@BaliOtomotif]

this big brother of yamaha tricity

[@robhives6996]

Like it or not, this bike strikes me as the most stable all weather, overland touring machine on sale right now. If this had knobbly tyres I bet it could go further than a GS.

[@sumankumarmehta1342]

Now That's one hell of a SHOWSTOPPER....

[@petercapsanis5839]

It's like if my mt-09 caught the T-virus

[@manusk40]

What's the point in it ?

[@TheAegisClaw]

Love it, looks great. Give it another 300cc's and I'll have one.

[@droptop06]

awesomne look.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

200 cc would do it, as it's a triple.

[@peerawatphompan2188]

Could it goes backward?

[@austink641]

I can't say it's anything to look at, nor do I have any desire to buy it. I have envisioned, though, a four wheel car with parallelogram steering, so it is neat to see something like this on the market.

[@andrewmarkert1146]

Yamaha has a 4 wheel concept that leans, check it out.

[@aladinfox2095]

Amazing feat of engineering but the front end will need a lot of attention I can imagine after a few thousand miles in the form of fork seals pivot joints / bearings, two new tyres etc but still it seems like they've sold a fair few.

[@saqibpashahp]

Super 😘

[@projectmat2786]

Does someone know where was this video filmed?

[@Grahamvfr]

Part of the grossglockner pass Austria?

[@melodigrand]

I wonder if this technology applied to 180 mph sport bikes would allow later braking into corners on track days? This bike should be a slam dunk for the handful of riders who insist on commuting in the rain.

[@gallimead]

For those who can't see the point or purpose. Simply because Yamaha could. It's very divisive. Better than a spyder, cheaper, and a lot more fun. Just wish it could stand unassisted.

[@ahmedamrahmedabdelmoneum398]

Its hard to make it stand unassisted

[@jennydiazvigneault5548]

Add one more wheel and it can but then its just a quad.

[@GrumpyGarry121]

I wonder 2 things, as it’s 2 wheels at the front is the contact patch on each tyre reduced by half? Obviously the extra weight will create more contact. Secondly I wonder if it’s a really good machine to ride with pillion...... maybe it would balance out very nicely?

[@knightsofshames]

Can this stand straight at the stop light without putting your feet down?

[@Bredaxe]

Knightsofshames Nope, it still requires feet down and balance.

[@maxnewts]

This is the bike that rappers need to make songs about!!!

[@asadkamran5687]

Yes you both guys are happy great but now yamaha should add another rear wheal just benind the rear wheel and 2 doors and another couch behind the seat and can hit the tuk tuk market in a better way (rikshaw)

[@gallimead]

Okkk..ermm.. i'm limited to trikes and..ick..Spyders. This would be best compromise. However, how stable is it when stopped. Will it stand unassisted??.. or does it need a bit of strength?. Love it.

[@colinclarke4285]

Unfortunately due to the wheel spacing being too narrow it falls in the motorcycle category

[@MrNobbyify]

It's not a trike.

[@garysmith8418]

Bigger engine, needs some sport accessories. Can you say "heated grips"? Taller windscreen(s)?

[@theyoutubeguy1]

I can't stop laughing :D.

[@robertosmitho2012]

If one front wheel slides what prevents the second one from sliding?

[@seniorelzappo9919]

I'm trying to think who their target market might be 'Older more experienced riders ? first big bikers ? Younger more conservative types ? or just the fancy something different ones.

[@droptop06]

I'm in the fancy, different type...lol...I love this

[@mistersonnen848]

I think it's a good choice for people riding in cities like Melbourne where there's tram lines all over the place, which are way too fucking slippery when raining.

[@markwith140]

It's not going to win any beauty competitions that's for sure. It does make me think that yamaha wondered if they could make this bike rather than if they should make this bike.

[@asadkamran5687]

Its not even a scooter

[@daveyoude2828]

6 wheel Tyrrell...?

[@dejakes3122]

It lacks a second wheel at the back...

[@shailendra6501]

And a roof at the top😉

[@as89189]

what about countersteering?

[@andrewmarkert1146]

What part of it rides the same way as a 2-wheeler don't you understand?

[@zadejweinat8928]

But why?

[@AdventuresWithEllie]

Can you ride this on a car licence? like a Piaggio MP3

[@MrNobbyify]

No.

[@oso1165]

i give them props for trying something new. however yamaha should have stuck a 1000-1400cc in it and made it a full blown sports tourer. just like the reviewer said this bike isnt good for what its advertised for. it probably would excel as a tourer tho. in both performance and sales demographic.

[@13Palkia]

cb350f its more than enough but it would be great to have more power & to help reinforce the price

[@jsleeio]

Yeah this, totally. It's not about the peak power, it's about the area under the curve. Eg. BMW's transverse K1200S/GT/R models have a *ludicrous* wide band of useful torque. I rarely needed more than 5000rpm! Very relaxed riding, and the top end is still very much there if you feel like going fast. A Niken with the FJR1300 engine would be a cool as hell bike

[@oso1165]

John Slee yup, totally. people who dont tour dont understand why tourers have gigantic engines. it's not about chasing massive speed numbers it's about how comfortable it is when you barely have to give any throttle and the bike just pulls along nicely

[@TacticalHamsterDance]

I'd even make it into an ordinary tourer, like BMW's RT. Sounds great, in many countries, the roads are often not of the best quality and front wheel slipping on gravel or spillt fuel is a risk. And who wants to crash thousands of kms from home?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

They didn't put a honking motor in it because it's a big risk to put something like this on the market. Baby steps. In fact they plan to build a smaller displacement version of it as well.

[@BN1960]

Brilliant that Yamaha have had the balls to shake up the pathetically conservative motorcycle market. Deposit plonked.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Did you buy it? Like it?

[@limsheng4873]

WOULD THIS MEAN THAT THE BIKE COULD AUTOMATICALLY BALANCE ITSELF SINCE ITS ON 3 (THREE) WHEELS?

[@rockysrider5352]

no

[@tizmon]

too many people are handicapped in being able to see the world through only their needs. i personally don’t need this bike because i do a lot of dirt run, but can easily see some people wants one. anyone here with negative comments are just announcing to the world that they are useless. they just don’t see the possibility in things. we are witnessing an advancement in by frontal wheel technology that has reached at sport touring motorcycle level. previously the best the world had to offer was at mini bike stage. this is nothing to dislike about such a positive change. the world has just too many of good for nothing people that all they do is trash other people’s business. they have no idea that only people who can complain about the bad sales of this vehicle, if that happens, are people who payed for it to make it. that’s only yamaha shareholders. i am sure non of losers trashing the bike here know this. it really doesn’t concern you. but i love seeing them because i know this meaningless trashing of other people’s business is the biggest indicator for being stupid, therefore sad. throwaway people. love to see them because they die this way. leaving only negative behind with lifelong suffering.

[@sdipper7]

Totally agree

[@lexreinstein4244]

Wow. I would only add that those people should be prevented from reproducing themselves and used for biological experiments. The dead bodies can then be used as pet food. Just throwing this out there :D

[@mikek2218]

This is an awesome bike and an idea that is wayyy overdo. The increased front contact patch and front-end grip will be wonderful. Now if Yamaha really wants to make a revolutionary splash, make this bike electric and I will be all over it... you won't be able to sell me one fast enough at any price. Hope you're listening Yamaha... make this same bike electric!

[@Grahamvfr]

2.13 "funnily enough it sounds like an Mt 09".........er well yea it's the same engine??

[@hks071]

All the pivot points would require servicing in 2 years time. That would cost a fortune

[@timblanden2778]

It seems that Yamaha have solved a problem we didn't have.

[@paulclarkson1778]

If you consider losing the front end not a problem. It's happened to me twice.

[@johnnyjohnnybaby]

Why?

[@supratim1572]

Who all are here after pubg update......???😆🤣

[@woodyhuband9248]

I'm pretty sure I don't want a heavier, more complex bike with more moving parts, but I would like to ride one. However, this should be good for the Yamaha service departments.

[@krisrudecki9477]

For everyone asking “why”, check this vid out kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHe4YXuhfsynj9U . All I will say is : front end grip in almost any conditions and power slides 🤘🏻 just a different experience Yamaha is trying to create. Can’t blame them, they’re on top of their game with standard bikes

[@ronanrogers4127]

If the 2 front wheels were driven, and if it was in a Gs/Adventure style...maybe

[@bobbybackmarker9665]

Who the hell is this guy? Get Neeves on here to test it.

[@01phantomx]

What's the point of it?

[@guypritchard2451]

Double the front end grip, can ride flat out in the wet

[@fredblue5068]

Dream on!

[@01phantomx]

Yeah OK! Like the other three wheelers that slide out!

[@mikek2218]

Front-end contact patch and grip is "the point". Awesome idea that is wayyyy over do. Awesome bike!

[@jennydiazvigneault5548]

Except the back end slides out.@@mikek2218

[@malcolmabram2957]

It is a trike, not a bike, treat it as such,.after all a reliant Robin was treated a s a bike on its V5, and I had one for a while.

[@paulclarkson1778]

Trikes don't lean. It's a motorbike.

[@rickg.5171]

Fork seal headaches and maintenance times two.

[@hariharan-nf8wc]

Anyone from pubg🙋

[@VeeFour]

it's an interesting concept, but I think that's exactly where it should have stayed, as a concept bike. I can't think who would want or benefit from this machine

[@tusharkatoch5472]

i hope this thing will drift, the only thing a car does better than a motorcycle.

[@Unisylvekitty]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHe4YXuhfsynj9Um25s check this

[@Lasergun74]

Could somehow work for a novice, or for someone coming from a Piaggio Mp3 that will never try too hard. But coming from any road bike, even an old Hornet or so, I see the rider struggling to slam this thing into a corner fast enough, with the result of too wide lines if trying to push the pace a little bit. Weight put too far away from the center of gravity is always a bad thing. This engine seems to be out of focus for the bike. I see it with a twin 500cc for the novice, or with a big fat torquey 4cyl, around 1200cc, a fatter rear tyre, big fairing and panniers, set up for Highway touring. 260kg are way too much for a hooligan wannabe. Kudos anyway for Yamaha for exploring new ways.

[@cleatusbarncoat8642]

Just saw one up close at the Chicago bike show. Interesting, perhaps even brave by Yamaha. Not sure what niche market group they’re targeting. Company rep was vague on it, too. Just that it’s “fun.” I’d never buy or rent one. The novelty will not outweigh the oddity, imo. And the videos shown are just too strange-looking, like a grocery cart in the turns. Not for me, sorry.

[@nurthstheory6010]

Little black minion

[@509guy7]

i get a slightly vommitish feeling when i see that

[@user-rv5bd8pl4s]

한국사람 없냐?

[@merson812]

Ugh!!!

[@Learn-more610]

tires are gonna cost more :p

[@veenanigam1374]

rich peoples tricycle

[@p6tan]

Looks interestingly tut tut

[@user-uv8hy3kg8s]

Bet fuel economy is is crap, and 2 up will weigh a ton

[@lordrisupubg4114]

Pubg ka bike

[@Vegeta_Sama311]

Chutiya chup baith

[@Brianbaker3]

what a weird machine

[@daveynature5752]

Eh gimmicky

[@Dubaiinit]

Hideous debacle

[@tiozorrodelvalle9953]

Here in Colombia those bikes were a total failure and they had to remove them from the market. Only a few were sold, and their owners don't even know what the hell is the third wheel for.

[@Prestonesfpv]

She ? Its a bike, grow up

[@abelvasquez2804]

Should had put more effort into a new raider .instead of this!

[@alpha13dylan]

So im not sure of the point. Its not a trike... so it cant stand on its own, so its a motorcycle with three wheels with no stability advantage of them. Unless i am mistaken. Looks like you always have to balance it and now instead of having to pay attention to where your front tire is on the road you now also have to pay attention to the second and makes it more of a strategy to miss potholes and debri. This screams to me "look at me! We are innovative!" But i just dont see what it offers other than more weight and more maintenance.

[@MrNobbyify]

You seem to lack imagination.

[@espro436]

That looks like some creature who will scream "killlllll meeeeeeee"

[@vnscrusher9561]

Pubg mobile

[@jimperry4420]

No one will buy this

[@comfysofa1549]

Like others have said.....can't see the point...

[@andrewmarkert1146]

Not much of a thinker huh.

[@vtx1321]

Is this nervous riders cos I cannot see the sense in owning one.

[@rprentals]

Please make that ulgy bike go away

Please learn to spllechcke.

[@MrGabrieleLongo]

LMAO

[@tabishsohail4917]

Yeah that ulgy bike

[@adod.6105]

What a terrible Line 👎👎👎he is driving, also dangerous for other Bikes ans Cars

[@acptelford1307]

Really can’t see the point

[@johnhassler9305]

Well if nothing says u swallow this definitely does 🤦‍♂️

[@Greenmachine305]

Not interested in worrying about front end alignment on a bike.

[@KB-ki7um]

Expensive product failure.

[@MrGabrieleLongo]

Crap...

[@mwb5987]

I hate to say it but a lot of people are going to get hurt on this Bike just by watching it move I can tell that people are not going to be able to handle its at high speeds in Corners

[@nicho2030]

This has to be the most ridiculous machine ever built. What a failure this will be.

[@candymintz]

pointless mechanical creation, does it do wheelies?

[@paulclarkson1778]

Yes

[@heyitsfakawma4917]

this bike is shame for the other bike, like this is the ugliest bike ever