The three wheels are generally associated with scooters and low-power, everyday-friendly motorcycles. Well, Yamaha broke the stereotype in 2018 with the presentation of the first generation of Niken, which now reborn in the GT version with many improvements.
It is important not to confuse the Niken with a three-wheeled scooter, as the similarities are few or none. And let’s talk about everything Yamaha has reconsidered to make the Niken GT a more touring motorcycle, from the 30-liter rigid side cases to the adjustable front screen by 70 mm, but also the fantastic capabilities of this model to put a big smile on our face on winding roads. And that was something that was not lacking in Sardinia.
HEART OF MARATHONS
The tricylindrical engine of the Niken may be the same CP3 that we tested on the Tracer 9 GT+, but it has internal modifications that allow it to have a different behavior and please fans of long rides. The crankshaft underwent modifications and became 8% heavier, in order to create greater inertia for the engine to run more smoothly, and we can feel that, as we have a more relaxed CP3 on open roads. It was also tilted 5 degrees forward and internally revised, in order to positively influence the agility and stability of the motorcycle. With 42 cc more than its predecessor, the new Yamaha Niken GT now has maximum torque 1,500 rpm earlier, providing better acceleration.
However, due to its 270 kg in running order, we feel that this motorcycle should benefit from greater torque in medium revs – even in Sport mode – even without changing the maximum power. Vibrations were also something that was felt at high revs, mainly due to the new heavier crankshaft, becoming noticeable from 7,000 rpm, where this CP3 wants to show all its soul. This would not be a very prominent point if it were not for this rotation approximately at which we circulate around 140 km/h.
A perfect compromise was not achieved in this way, as a longer relationship will further reduce the responsiveness of this motorcycle in medium regimes, something we referred to as an area for improvement. Nevertheless, we are well aware of the potential of this engine and surely Yamaha will gather all the feedback so that in the near future they can achieve a compromise where vibrations are not a problem.
THE MAGICAL FRONT END
In terms of chassis, the Niken GT is now more balanced, largely due to the revised rear shock absorber in conjunction with the frame – which was necessarily modified due to the new engine positioning – which now conveys more confidence and offers greater stability in applied driving and increased comfort while traveling. And balance is indeed the keyword, as Yamaha states that the weight distribution is 50:50, with a 75 kg rider. But the star of the company is the LMW system that still makes us think about the laws of physics when riding this motorcycle. After the initial strange sensations, it becomes familiar, and we start to gain unbelievable confidence to attack corners with this bike. The stability we have in various situations while leaning is very high, and the limit of the front end is much further than that of a regular motorcycle. We even felt – in certain situations where the lean angle was higher – that the inner front wheel of the curve was protesting a bit, but the outer wheel seemed not to mind much, keeping the Niken firmly gripped to the asphalt.
The absorption of floor irregularities is done in an almost imperceptible way, without ever losing sight of what is happening in terms of grip limits, and this is also due to the front system – which is actually a fantastic engineering feat by Yamaha; and we would need another 4 pages to explain it. However, it is important to note that approaching trajectories must be done somewhat differently from a two-wheeled motorcycle and we must even ride this Niken GT in a slightly different way – almost using the outside wheel as the “center” of the bike – not only because of its weight, but also because of how the front behaves in curves, often requiring more aggressive leaning and trusting that the two wheels will do their job. However, braking is a great help and can be a resource to use, since it is very effective, and with the Niken’s front system we have some freedom to brake in the middle of a curve with the bike leaned over, although it is not the ideal situation.
TECHNOLOGICAL JOURNEY
We have to start with the instrument panel and say that navigating through the menus and settings of this new 7″ TFT panel from Yamaha deserves to be praised. With a small 5-direction joystick, we can do everything in a very intuitive and doubt-free way, allowing us to immediately be in tune with this side of the Niken GT. The presented information and its layout are equally well designed, offering excellent visibility in any situation and the necessary information, with the possibility of consulting more in different menus. We can also integrate Garmin maps at a cost of €5 per month, which can be a good addition for travelers. These travelers will certainly be pleased with the generous and comfortable seat, as well as the effective protection of the adjustable front deflector.
The passenger seat is also quite generous – we won’t explain how we were able to test that – and the standard 30-liter rigid side cases allow for generous luggage storage for two people. But going back to the technological side, this bike also has three different riding modes – Sport, Street, and Rain – which are noticeably felt, with the RAIN mode reducing the bike’s power by 18% to make the ride more friendly, all thanks to a new electronic throttle. The Niken GT also comes with standard cruise control, something that will be indispensable for travelers, and a bi-directional quick shifter – also standard – which is very effective and, I would say, indispensable for those seeking excitement in every turn.
THE UNICORN
At the end of the day, the Yamaha Niken GT is a unicorn in the desert. And Yamaha knows it. The target audience for this bike is extremely specific and it will never be a top seller, but that is not the purpose. The Niken GT is, in 2023, a very fun bike to ride and is capable of offering beautiful moments of pleasure and long kilometers without stopping to anyone – regardless of their riding level. It is true that there are details that Yamaha should pay attention to in order to improve this bike, but overall it pleased a lot and brought big smiles to everyone’s faces. And who wouldn’t want to have a unicorn in their garage?
YAMAHA Niken GT
ENGINE 3 parallel cylinders, CP3, liquid-cooled
DISPLACEMENT 890 cc
POWER 84.5 kW (115 hp) @10,000 rpm
TORQUE 90.7 Nm @7,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed
FRAME diamond-shaped aluminum
DEPOSIT 18 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION adjustable LMW system of 43 mm / 41mm, travel of 110 mm
REAR SUSPENSION monoshock with preload and extension adjustment, travel of 125 mm
FRONT BRAKE 2 discs of 298 mm
REAR BRAKE disc of 282 mm
FRONT TIRE 2x 120/70R15M
REAR TIRE 190/55R17M
WHEELBASE 1,510 mm
SEAT HEIGHT 825 mm
WEIGHT 270 kg
MSRP (from) 18,500€
