Tag Archives: Niken

Yamahas recalled on faulty brake switch

The official recall notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the faulty brake switch could “inhibit the cruise control and constantly illuminate the rear brake lights”.

“If the rear brake lights constantly illuminate, other road users will not know if the brakes are applied, increasing the risk of an accident or injury or death to the rider(s) and/or other road users.”

Owners of affected motorcycles should contact a Yamaha Dealer to arrange an appointment to have the brake switch replaced, free of charge.

Consumers can find their nearest authorised Yamaha dealership by visiting: https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au

For further information, contact Yamaha by phone on 1300 593 600.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS ON RECALLS

Maritha Keyser Cyclist rule endangers motorcyclists

Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Yamaha lean toward three-wheelers

Yamaha has filed yet another patent that shows yet again that they lean toward leaning trikes, this time with a hybrid powertrain.

The Japanese company already has a lean on leaning trikes with their TriCity scooter and Niken motorcycle. They have also filed several patents before for leaning three-wheelers.

Yamaha Niken three-wheeler neowingNiken

They are not alone in pursuing trikes that lean with patents from Honda, Kawasaki and several other companies such as AKO.

AKO leaning electric itrikeAKO leaning electric trike

Yamaha’s patent seems to be a stripped-down or lean version of the MW-Vision concept unveiled last year at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show.

Yamaha has filed yet another patent for yet another leaning trike, this time with a hybrid powertrain. leanMW-Vision concept

There is a lot to be said for the concept of leaning trikes.

They improve front cornering grip and braking and, when it has a locking function at standstill, it means you don’t have to support the weight of the bike.

However, the disadvantages are extra weight and expense.

If those two disadvantages could be offset by making them more economical to run, then it would make them even more attractive to some riders, especially novices.

That could be attained by the use of a hybrid powertrain as suggested in this patent.

However, it’s not a hybrid like a Prius where a combination of an electric motor and internal-combustion engine drive the wheels.

It’s what’s called a series hybrid or range-extender hybrid where an ICE simply charges a battery which powers an electric motor that drives the wheels.

They aren’t the first to trial a series hybrid.

The cheap Chevrolet Volt and expensive Fisker Karma had similar arrangements.

Holden Volt hybrid powerChevrolet Volt

However the Volt has been discontinued and Fisker has gone broke, so it seems to suggest it was not a popular concept.

And Kawasaki recently filed a patent in the Japanese Patent Office for a slightly different take on the range-extender hybrid with a supercharged two-stroke engine to charge the battery.

There are no details about the type of ICE Yamaha plans to use in their series hybrid, but the hybrid leaning trike does show that the industry is starting to think beyond purely electric motorcycles.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Piaggio plans first reverse leaning trike

Piaggio has filed a patent for the world’s first reverse leaning three-wheeler with the two wheels at the back rather than the front.

Traditional three-wheelers or trikes have the wheels at the back, but they don’t lean.

In 2006, the Italian company introduced the MP3 scooter which was the world’s first leaning three-wheeler.

It had the wheels at the front and their revolutionary configuration has since been followed by Yamaha with its TriCity scooter and Niken motorcycle.

Yamaha Niken neowing leaningNiken (Image: Yamaha)

AKO also plans a similar electric-powered leaning trike and other companies such as Honda and Kawasaki have filed for similar patents.

AKO leaning electric itrikeAKO leaning electric trike

Advantages

I’ve ridden several leaning three-wheelers and found them much more stable at high speeds than a conventional trike.

The double front tyre contact patch also makes them much safer on entering a corner where low friction from gravel or oil could cause a low-side crash.

Tricity scooterTricity

This configuration provides much greater rider confidence pushing into corners.

However, we wonder if this conventional trike layout with two wheels at the back but also leaning might actually decrease front tyre friction and therefore rider confidence.

Piaggio design

The Piaggio design actually only allows the front end to lean while the rear axle remains parallel to the ground via a car-like Constant Velocity joint.

It would certainly improved traction under power coming out of a corner.

The patent drawing seems to suggest a scooter with the engine in the rear like a Porsche 911.

And like the German Porker, it might be a hoot to ride — or drift — with its pendulum-like handling.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

AKO tests tilting trike prototype

Lithuanian start-up AKO is now testing its electric-powered tilting trike prototype which is somewhere between a motorcycle, trike, car and plane.

Like the Piaggio and Yamaha leaning scooters, the Yamaha Niken leaning motorcycle and the non-leaning Can-Am Spyder roadster, it has two wheels up front and a single wheel at the back.

But the most interesting departure is the steering system which is somewhere between an aircraft yoke, car steering wheel and motorcycle handlebars.

Riders turn the bars/wheel the same as a motorcycle to steer, but can also move the steering column side to side to tilt the machine up to 30°.

AKO leaning electric itrikeAKO leaning electric trike

The hefty 500kg AKO is powered by a 26kWh battery and electric motor driving a shaft to the single rear wheel.

Output is 200kW with 600Nm of torque.

Range is claimed to be more than 300km with a top speed limited to 240km/h.

That compares with the Harley-Davidson LiveWire with 150km of highway range and 235km of city range.  It will arrive in Australia later this year costing probably more than $40,000.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycleMBW tests the LiveWire in the US

AKO applied for the patent in July 2019 and is now in the prototype testing phase so production is be a long way off yet.

The company is now asking for manufacturers interested in production to contact them via their website: akotrike.com.ako trike

Tilting into the future

Several other companies are also working on tilting three wheelers.

Yamaha is particularly keen on a leaning trike future and has applied for several patents.

Yamaha Niken VMax leaning three-wheeler coming AKOYamaha patent drawing

Honda was the only one that has applied for a leaning trike patent with an electric motor until the AKO.

Honda Neowing Goldwing leaning three-wheeler trike patent granted akaHonda patent

And late last year, Kawasaki applied for a patent for a tilting trike.

Kawasaki leaning three-wheeler patent drawingKawasaki leaning three-wheeler patent drawing

We can see the advantages of a tilting three-wheeler:

  • More front contact patch means great cornering confidence;
  • Better braking performance from the extra contact patch;
  • Safer and therefore attractive to more people; and
  • No need for a side stand or to put your foot down when stopped.

There are also disadvantages compared with a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle or scooter:

  • Costlier and more complex suspension;
  • Less lean angle;
  • Wider footprint and less ability to lane filter;
  • Heavier and therefore higher fuel/power consumption; and
  • Greater tyre replacement costs.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Custom Niken wins craziest bike award

Yamaha’s leaning three-wheeler Niken is one crazy bike and now a custom version has won the Craziest Bike award at a German custom show.

Polish manufacturer of custom motorcycles Game Over Cycles (GOC) is usually known for its modifications of American motorcycles.

However, their GOC Niken pays special tribute to its nationality with Japanese characters taken from the Yamaha brand philosophy: “Courage to set higher goals without fear of failure” (失敗を恐れず、もう一段高い目標に取り組む).Custom Niken wins craziest bike award

First Niken custom

The build was done in collaboration with Yamaha Motor Poland and is believed the world’s first fully customised Niken.

Niken debuted on the global market in 2018 and is based on a unique Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) technology developed by the Japanese company.

Except for two front leaning wheels the extraordinary construction of the motorcycle consists of four steering heads and dual-tube upside-down forks.

Our Gold Coast contributor Todd Parkes recently tested the GT version and was amazed at its competency.

Alien Yamaha Niken GT
Yamaha Niken GT

The three-wheeler retails in Australia for $A21,990 and an extra $2000 for the touring version.

It is powered by a 847cc DOHC triple developing 86kW (115HP) at 10,000rpm, but weighs a hefty 263kg.

The GOC custom version has replaced all plastic parts with handmade aluminium parts.

Work on modifying the motorcycle took 1400 hours.Custom Niken wins craziest bike award

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Alien Yamaha Niken three-wheeler will surprise

Yamaha’s Niken GT three-wheeler looks like an alien, but it corners surprisingly well, says Motorbike Writer contributor Todd Parkes.

When I first set eyes on the Yamaha Niken, I imagined an alien would ride one of these monsters.

This bike is pretty much an MT-09 with two very skilfully engineered front wheels grafted to what would have normally been the pointy end.

Piaggio and other scooter manufacturers (Yamaha’s Tricity included) have proved this concept of ‘doubling’ the front end grip of a cycle.

How many times have we watched motorcycle racing and witnessed a front end loss? The front wheel ‘tucks’ up and chucks its hapless rider down the road.

I tested the original Piaggio MP3 when released, and it was the most sure footed thing I’d ever ridden.

Niken GT testAlien Yamaha Niken GT

So, can the three-wheeled Niken service it up to its two-wheeled counterparts?

Apparently it can top around 210km/h and was a full second quicker than its MT-09 sibling, around Yamaha’s test track.

The bike I tested was the $24,478 (+ on-road costs) Niken GT and it can certainly live up to the Grand Tourer standard. It has heated grips, cruise control, touring screen, panniers, shift indicator, selection of three sport modes, traction control, ABS, side and centre stands, comfortable seating position, and wide handle bars.

There’s a six-speed transmission, a 847cc DOHC triple developing 86kW (115HP) at 10,000rpm, kerb weight of a hefty 263kg and high 820mm seat.

The 18 litre fuel tank will give a comfortable range of 300km before the reserve counter kicks in, depending on the engine mode used and how heavily you twist the throttle.

No lessons required

Sitting behind the handle bars gives no indication of what’s in front of you. The fairing may be a bit wider but apart from that nothing seems any different from a standard motorbike.

There is no requirement for tuition on how to ride the Niken. A Can-Am Spyder, outfit or even a trike needs a skill set outside that for riding a normal motorcycle.

You ride a Niken in the exact same way you ride any other bike.

The only differences are a slight noticeable ‘drag’ at slow speed, you can brake later into corners using more front brake and right hand U-turns are a piece of cake. You can even drag the front brake without pulling yourself down.

You do need a side stand and it will fall over if you don’t hold it up.

There are no fancy hydraulics, electronics or sensors, just plain old good quality mechanical engineering.

The mirrors are well positioned and offer good rear and side views without being filled with the rider’s shoulders or arms.

They can be difficult to adjust being so far forward, however, they are positioned in such a way that there is little need to shift the eyeline from the road ahead.

The instrumentation, mirrors and view ahead are virtually all in the same line of sight.Alien Yamaha Niken GT

Stability

The one constant while riding this bike is, stability. High speed, low speed, wet grass, gravel, uneven surfaces or cornering, it’s all the same.

There is a complete feeling of confidence that the bike will stay on track and be completely controllable.

I threw it at everything I could think of and it felt like it was on rails at all times. I reckon I’d have to do something completely stupid or idiotic to throw it down the road.

Both front tyres are still planted firmly on the road by the time you are fully grinding the footpegs into the tar.

Yamaha Niken neowing
(Image: Yamaha)

Pillion test

With my treasured pillion onboard we headed off to see what she thought of passenger comfort.

Seat comfort was good, grab rails were well positioned, foot rests not too high.

There was plenty of room for her to shift about. Now, as the rider, I noticed that there was no need for me to compensate for being with a pillion, those small counterbalance shifts a rider makes to keep the bike stable two up, the Niken does it for you. Two up at 10kph….easy…..two up over soft ground and wet grass is a doddle. Amazing!

I’m 180cm tall and 90kg and the 820mm seat height suited me fine. I was able to get both feet flat on the ground and spread out for good support.

The panniers are a little unusual in that they’re a cross between a soft and hard case with zipper closure (they came with a pannier liner bag).

They appear to be a bit on the light side, but, hold about 30 litres securely and can be carried around just like any old set of luggage.

The main downside with the panniers is their exposure to being ‘booted’ when getting on or off the bike. They won’t hold a full face, but will take an open-face helmet.

Apart from the obvious expense of purchasing an extra tyre, my main concern was the “busy” left hand switch block. It takes some time to get used to.

The high beam idiot light is a bit too bright at night, as are the cruise control globes. I’d also prefer some adjustment for the windscreen.

ConclusionAlien Yamaha Niken GT

Look beyond the alien appearance and take one for a test ride. It will surprise you as it did me.

Most of my age group couldn’t get past the alien appearance, but a couple of young riders walked up and started taking photos.

Their attention was drawn by the steering mechanism under the front.  They thought the bike was pretty cool!

Thanks to Yamaha Australia and Simon from Chris Watson Cessnock for the test bike. The base model starts at $22,438 (+ORC). Options include panniers ($775), brackets ($523) and centre stand ($781).

Yamaha Niken GTAlien Yamaha Niken GT

  • Price: $24,478 (+ on-road costs)
  • Engine: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve, 847cc 3-cylinder
  • Bore x Stroke: 78 x 59.1mm
  • Compression: 11.5 : 1
  • Fuel: 18 litres
  • Transmission: Constant mesh 6-speed, chain drive
  • Length: 2150mm
  • Width: 885mm
  • Height: 1425mm
  • Seat: 820mm
  • Wheelbase: 1510mm
  • Clearance: 150mm
  • Wet weight: 267kg
  • Suspension: USD Telescopic forks, 110m travel; link rear, 125mm travel
  • Brakes: Hydraulic dual 298mm discs, 282mm rear disc
  • Tyres: 120/70-R15;  190/55-R17

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Niken and Diavel score Red Dot Design honour

The three-wheeled Yamaha Niken and the Ducati Diavel 1260 power cruiser have won Best of the Best awards at the prestigious annual Red Dot Design Awards in Germany.

It is the third Best of the Best award for Yamaha following honours for the XSR900 in 2017 and MT-07 in 2015.

Yamaha Niken three-wheeler neowing
Niken

Ducati has also scored three “Best” wins, following the successes of the 1199 Panigale in 2013 and the XDiavel S in 2016.

Red Dot Ducati Diavel 1260
Diavel 1260

Each year since 1955, the “Red Dot Design Award” has been assigned to the most original and worthy entries in terms of design and innovation.

A jury of 40 international design experts made their selections after evaluating more than 5500 products in a host of categories.

Winners are permitted to display a prestigious Red Dot label on their product.

The other winners of the Best of the Best awards in the automotive section were the Mazda3 and the Ferrari Monza SP1.

Red Dot Ferrari Monza SP1
Ferrari Monza SP1

There are awards in 36 categories including, furniture, watches, electronics, financial services and retail.

Red Dot awards are handed out to many of the entries, but only the cream of the crop receive a Best of the Best.

Companies use the distinction to position their brands and thus highlight their quality and design leadership around the globe.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Honda Neowing three-wheeler to replace Goldwing?

A Honda Neowing leaning three-wheeler looks likely to be coming soon, possibly as a replacement for the ageing Goldwing.

Honda has now applied for a patent for the power steering of its Neowing leaning three-wheel concept (pictured above) unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.

If it does go into production, Honda would be following the bike tracks of the Yamaha Niken leaning three-wheeler.

And why not? The Niken has scored some sales success in Europe.

Leaning three-wheeler scooters have been around for about a decade, but Yamaha is the first with a big-capacity three-wheeler.

Yamaha Niken neowing
Yamaha Niken

We’ve ridden several leaning three-wheel scooters and they are great fun.

The advantages are more front-end grip, better handling and increased braking performance.

However, the disadvantages are extra weight and price.

The Niken is based on the triple-cylinder MT-09 which sells for $12,299 (plus on-road costs) up to $15,499 for the Tracer model and $16,999 for the Tracer GT.

Niken starts at $21,999 with a GT model coming in March 2019. That’s about a third more expensive!

Yamaha Niken three-wheeler neowing
Niken

Powerful Neowing

While Yamaha’s three-wheeler is powered by an 847cc triple, Honda’s Neowing could be a lot more powerful.

The concept featured a four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with electric motors in each wheel.

However, the patent drawings for the electric power steering do not show the engine, only the complex steering system.

Neowing patent drawings (Image: Morebikes.co.uk)
Neowing patent drawings (Image: Morebikes.co.uk)

They also don’t show any electric motors in the front wheels.

But it would need to be powered by a hefty engine to cope with the extra weight and power requirements of the steering system.

Yamaha’s Niken is marketed as a sport tourer.

The Neowing could be more of a tourer, perhaps to take over from the ageing Goldwing with its six-cylinder boxer powerplant.

Some might say these leaning three-wheelers are not strictly motorcycles.

But if they provide the same thrill as a motorcycle, yet with more grip, then who cares!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Yamaha Niken Review | Three legs good..?

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

The Niken has three wheels. A pair of 120/70-15s up front, and a single conventional 190/55-17 at the back.

Yamaha Niken Forks LHS
Yamaha Niken

Yes it rides pretty much like a motorcycle. There is no long adaption period to feel comfortable, just get on it and ride. 

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

The riding experience is nothing remotely similar to the non-leaning Can-Am Sypder. The Niken leans, steers and powers out like a motorcycle, unlike the Spyder which rides like, well, a car, and a shit car at that.

Yes it can pull wheelies, stoppies, skid and perform all manner of stupidity, if you’re good enough to do so without dying.

Yamaha Niken Trev Mono
Yamaha Niken

Yamaha quote a 45-degree lean angle for the Niken, and yes you can get your knee down if you are going to hang off it to a ridiculous degree. That said, using a reasonable bit of body English does help keep the pegs off the deck and realise more cornering speed, just like a motorcycle…

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

Yes you can lane split, and quite easily. The widest point of the bike is still the bars/mirrors and you know once that front end is through then the rear is most definitely going to roll through without a problem. The Niken is 70 mm wider at the mirrors than a T-Max, and 120 mm wider than a Tracer 900.

It does not stand up by itself. The Niken will fall over if not placed on the side-stand or optional centre-stand.

Yamaha Niken Cockpit
Yamaha Niken

Now with that out of the way and for those of you that have an open mind and are still reading, instead of throwing a pretentious little hissy-fit about it having three wheels and clicking away to somewhere else, let’s dig into this leaning three-wheeler business a little more.

I first tried out such a machine more than a decade ago when Piaggio launched the MP3 scooter. I quite liked it, revelling in the incredible front end grip the twin-tyre front end offered. But of course with modest power and a CVT gearbox it was still essentially a scooter. A fun, practical and versatile scooter that I rate highly, but still a scooter.

Yamaha Niken LHF
Yamaha Niken

However, the Niken is a considerably more serious piece of kit.  Even the name carries a bit of attitude to it.  Two Japanese words Ni (Two), and Ken (Sword), is derived from a 17th century dual sword fighting technique. Well the Niken would want to be sharp then wouldn’t it…?

The drivetrain is lifted directly from the MT-09, one of the maddest motorcycles to be released this century.

Yamaha Niken Engine
Yamaha Niken

The Niken gets the full monty 115 horsepower of the MT-09 and while 115 ponies doesn’t sound all that much these days, the slightly uncultured way that Yamaha’s enigmatic triple delivers them makes those ponies feel a little more Clydesale-like. In Niken guise the MT09 engine does carry a bit more crank weight, which is no bad thing, and its throttle response is a little smoother in operation than the manic naked. 

Yamaha Niken Engine
Yamaha Niken

A conventional six-speed motorcycle gearbox complete with quick-shifter, which is unfortunately up only in this application, carries over from its two-wheel siblings, as does the chain final drive. The rear sprocket carries a couple more teeth to help counteract the extra weight of the Niken. 

At 263 kg wet, the three-wheeler is is around 70 kg heavier than the MT-09, and 50 kg heavier than the Tracer 900 GT.  That mass certainly takes some urgency out of the power delivery, don’t expect the instantaneous response of an MT-09.

Yamaha Niken RHF Group
Yamaha Niken

When jumping aboard the low 820 mm saddle and lifting the Niken off its side-stand the machine does not feel particularly heavy. The mass is also not felt at the lights or while manoeuvring at walking pace, the larger foot-print of the twin-tyre front end no doubt helping in those scenarios.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

Yamaha claims that with a rider onboard the Niken has a perfect 50-50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles.  I would say that feels about right as the Niken exhibits no untoward handling traits, and feels perfectly natural when scything through bends at speed.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

Due to the gyroscopic forces generated by those two front tyres up front it also proves unflappable and affords great stability. Steering effort is light enough, and the Niken only ever feels slightly cumbersome when negotiating really tight sub-20 km/h corners. The longer and stiffer swingarm contributes to a 70 mm longer wheelbase than the MT-09, the Niken is also 10 mm longer between the axles than the recently released Tracer 900 GT.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

Front grip is other-worldly. Yamaha claim the Niken offers up to 40 per cent increased front-end grip. It feels like all of that and more, you quickly start carrying entry speeds on less than perfect road surfaces that would be risky, heart-in-mouth type stuff on a conventional motorcycle.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

The fact that those front wheels move independently of each other (on a camber, one front wheel can be running at a very different level of travel through its fork legs than the other), is another positive trait highlighted on bumpy surfaces. The Ackermann dual parallelogram front end just copes with any irregularities thrown at it. You are hardly aware of all those extra front end components doing their thing, it just works and is all completely hidden from your view. The unique front-end set-up also feels as though it completely eliminates any semblance of understeer.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken – See how one wheel can ride at a different height than the other

Of course all this confidence in the front end of the machine pretty much turns your approach to back road corner carving on its head.  When approaching a tight corner on a conventional motorcycle my concentration is predominantly on judging the road surface which, along with testicular fortitude, largely decides entry speed and aggressiveness on turn-in. While coming out the other side, the grip of modern tyres means it is largely a “hit the throttle hard as soon as you start picking the bike up off the rear tyre and see the corner exit” type affair.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

From the apex of the corner is when you start really thinking about grip and the Niken’s purchase on the road, particularly when you really start to press on while chasing a skilled local on an MT-10. Here the Niken did not really do anything wrong, but I was certainly starting to get a little apprehensive in regards to rear end grip when attacking both low speed and high speed corners with some real aggression. Out of some of the tighter stuff the traction control was starting to impede progress and reign things in.

I am sure there was plenty of rear grip there, but the mass and the lack of feedback from the chassis in this scenario did not instil the type of confidence that I was enjoying from the front. I guess with less contact patch at the rear that is to be expected. The Niken could never be expected to be a perfect panacea for every scenario. 

Yamaha Niken RHS
Yamaha Niken

In any normal riding of course rear grip is plenty, but I was not game to start trying to drift the rear at lean, it felt as though when it did finally break away it might not have been all that pretty.  I did slide the machine a little on dirt roads, but was certainly much more circumspect than I would have been on a normal two-wheeler, and that surprised me. I think a combination of the different ergonomics providing less response to peg inputs, and that extra weight, was enough to make me a little more cautious than I might otherwise have been. Perhaps a lot more seat time would have me more game to let it all hang out. 

Yamaha Niken Rear Tyre
Yamaha Niken

A pair of 298 mm disc rotors and four-piston calipers do a great job of hauling the machine up, while those two independent front tyres give you the confidence to turn-in late and hard.  When really on it, and I mean really on it, I had those two front tyres squirming into the grey tarmac of the Crown Range descents under brakes. I could feel them walking about a little even before the well-tuned ABS system kicked in. The front Bridgestone A41 Adventure tyres were at their recommended 33 psi, I checked them myself, but if going full nutter again I think I might be tempted to try another couple of pound in them.

Yamaha Niken Brakes
Yamaha Niken

The riding position for normal riding feels natural enough, be that in the city or on the highway. Despite only that tiny little front spoiler above the digital instrumentation, the wind-blast was never onerous and I never once felt any turbulence disturb my Shoei ensconsed bonce. Even with that 847 cc triple turning 8200 rpm in top gear for an indicated 205 km/h.

Yamaha Niken Trev
Yamaha Niken

The seat felt good until I was getting towards the end of a 600 kilometre first day, only then did I start moving about a little to ease the burden on the buns and upper thighs. All up I covered almost 1000 km on the Niken.

Yamaha Niken Seat
Yamaha Niken

A pillion can be carried and the rear KYB shock has a convenient hand-wheel to change the preload, while compression damping can also be tweaked. The front offers rebound and compression damping adustment. 

Yamaha Niken Shock Adjust Swingarm
Yamaha Niken

A GT version is expected next year and will offer more sumptuous seating arrangements along with standard panniers and other changes to improve the Niken’s long-distance touring credentials. The standard Niken does include cruise control.

Yamaha Niken Cruise
Yamaha Niken – Cruise control as standard

The mirror-integrated indicators and trick front lights are all LEDs, and a 12-volt accessory port is provided next to the dash. Unfortunately, like virtually every other motorcycle with this feature it is of the regular Hella/DIN/BMW small cigarette lighter style port which, unless you buy all manner of adaptors, is pretty damn useless. Just give us a simple USB port or two FFS.

Yamaha Niken Lights Mirrors
Yamaha Niken

Unfortunately I did not take note of economy figures, and I would suggest that our strops would not have been all that indicative of what one would experience on a normal Sunday ride or multi-day epic. The aluminium fuel tank holds 18-litres, so you would expect a normal touring range of around 300 km.

Yamaha Niken Trev Lights
Yamaha Niken

The Niken is available now, but only from specialist Yamaha dealers that have undertaken servicing training on the unique beast. These dealers are also required to tool up for front end alignments and minor greases that are recommended every third service. A full re-pack with new grease is required every 50,000 km. Otherwise routine servicing is as per normal and recommended every 6000 km.

Yamaha Niken LHF Group
Yamaha Niken

Yamaha’s initial shipment of 50 Nikens have now hit our shores, and are priced at $21,999 plus on road costs.

If you take one home, prepare to be the centre of attention when ever you hit the road, people will even come up and want to have their photo taken with it.

Yamaha Niken Arrowtown
Ride a Yamaha Niken and prepare to be the centre of attention

Oh, and order the optional Akrapovic full titanium exhaust system to liberate that triple chord symphony, it is just cruel not to. Yamaha dealers are getting their demonstrators ready to roll now, get down there and try one out for yourself. 

Yamaha Niken Lights RHF
Yamaha Niken

Source: MCNews.com.au