Yamaha Niken

[EJK]

<img width="600" src="https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=339910&stc=1&d=1545033662" />

I had a chance to ride this last weekend. Was only a very short ride but wow, it feels weird to ride as it looks!

First and foremost; extra sets of forks and rubber (plus the weight) made the front end feel really smooth. It rode over bumps like luxury SUV. Very comfortable. Going around corners felt very stable and (get ready for it) like it was on rails!!

Ride was quite short so can't say much more... The look is definitely controversial but what do you all think?

[johcar]

Had a look at the bike show a couple of weeks ago and had a sit on it.

It's about the same width as my Tiger XCA (apparently), but felt very bulky up-front, with the mirrors positioned on the low side, like a sports bike, so less conducive (IMO) to lanesplitting than my Tiger...

Plus there is the added disadvantage that you would be purchasing two front tyres, rather than one...

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[AllanB]

Surprised it needs a side stand.

[Laava]

This thread should be called "the undateables"!
that thing is weird with a capital weir!
But fair go, and good on you crazy Mr Kim for doing a review. Can it do 200kmh on the Akaroa GP?

[nzspokes]

Surprised it needs a side stand.

My understanding is that soon it wont.

[MD]

So they have landed. Doubt the tiny little Yamaha shop here would have a demo?

I think the styling is bang on and I really like the looks and curves etc. Should be real comfy as a tourer, decent wind protection and that luxurious seat (compared to the excuse for a seat some bikes get.

[Hugo Nougo]

size isnt everything, Macca has one for demos, havent ridden it yet but feedback has been good, especially the planted through corners and stable as under brakes.

[release_the_bees]

Any news yet about whether it can be ridden on a car licence like the Tricity?

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[Moi]

Any news yet about whether it can be ridden on a car licence like the Tricity?

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Review of the Niken in KiwiRider (http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/)

According to the review, the answer is 'No'.

[WALRUS]

Oh I'd love to have a play on one, they look fantastic. Nice to see someone doing something slightly different, you know?

https://www.bikeme.tv/index.php/2018-yamaha-niken-review-the-holy-trinity/

I've already talked to my local Yamaha dealer, they won't be getting any demo's in except for then Yamaha Australia do their demo tours, where they just load the range into the back of a truck and set up at dealerships for short group demo thingos.

[Scubbo]

how nimble is the steering at slow speeds? / carpark maneuverability style

[MD]

Couldn't resist trying it out today. A short test ride over the tight road to Whitemans Valley behind Upper Hutt.

It looks amazing!
Super comfortable. I thought my 1050 Tiger and current MT09 were the most comfortable riding position but this is a tad better again. You could cruise 24 hours seven days and feel great. Wide bars. WIDE front end. No way you could commute and lane split.

The sense of lean is magnified I think as you corner. Very enjoyable sensation as it leans in and so smooth over bumps, so secure up front. I was expecting the pegs or something to touch down but nah. Sure if you owned it you could push harder and find the limit but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of lean available. Jumping back on my super nimble and light MT09 did show up how the Niken is a tad heavier by comparison.


I tried to upset it with hard braking into bends, no problems. Two contact patches ensure a good stopping distance under hard braking too.


I could happily own one of these but not while I commute. Which highlights where I see this as an ideal next bike for those aging bikers, like me. Tired of sportsbikes, looking for something to encourage us to slow down a bit, smell the roses, relax while riding. But struggling to find anything appealing in the cruiser range. They sort of provide a relaxing ride but fail if you find yourself somewhere nice that wants a bit of spirited pace. The Niken would be excellent as a tourer and a great Cruiser substitute to those not prepared to embarrass themselves by being seen on an old man cruiser.

I hope Yamaha sell heaps, they deserve too, it's a fine product and tests the boundaries of design while still providing an exciting ride experience.

ps- slow speed turns had me a little nervous at first but I think a day or two under your belt and it would all fall into place [not fall over]. I did two u-turns and it has a tight turning circle . Just need to overcome the tipping in feeling that comes from the bulk up front I guess

[EJK]

how nimble is the steering at slow speeds? / carpark maneuverability style

Oh gosh I wish I rode more to tell you that. Guess I'll need another test ride... :shifty:

It looks bulky but as reviews say, it feels really light.

[Daffyd]

Surprised it needs a side stand.

I've been saying this since they brought out the Tri-city. It's very handy in stop/go traffic if you don't have to put a foot down every few metres.

I have mentioned this to Yamaha, and several dealers, but deaf ears. My thinking is, if Piaggio can do it with the MP3, then why can't Yamaha?

[Navy Boy]

Couldn't resist trying it out today. A short test ride over the tight road to Whitemans Valley behind Upper Hutt.

It looks amazing!
Super comfortable. I thought my 1050 Tiger and current MT09 were the most comfortable riding position but this is a tad better again. You could cruise 24 hours seven days and feel great. Wide bars. WIDE front end. No way you could commute and lane split.

The sense of lean is magnified I think as you corner. Very enjoyable sensation as it leans in and so smooth over bumps, so secure up front. I was expecting the pegs or something to touch down but nah. Sure if you owned it you could push harder and find the limit but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of lean available. Jumping back on my super nimble and light MT09 did show up how the Niken is a tad heavier by comparison.


I tried to upset it with hard braking into bends, no problems. Two contact patches ensure a good stopping distance under hard braking too.


I could happily own one of these but not while I commute. Which highlights where I see this as an ideal next bike for those aging bikers, like me. Tired of sportsbikes, looking for something to encourage us to slow down a bit, smell the roses, relax while riding. But struggling to find anything appealing in the cruiser range. They sort of provide a relaxing ride but fail if you find yourself somewhere nice that wants a bit of spirited pace. The Niken would be excellent as a tourer and a great Cruiser substitute to those not prepared to embarrass themselves by being seen on an old man cruiser.

I hope Yamaha sell heaps, they deserve too, it's a fine product and tests the boundaries of design while still providing an exciting ride experience.

ps- slow speed turns had me a little nervous at first but I think a day or two under your belt and it would all fall into place [not fall over]. I did two u-turns and it has a tight turning circle . Just need to overcome the tipping in feeling that comes from the bulk up front I guess

That's a cracking test route - I've ridden it many times myself now, being based at Trentham during the week. I agree that it's good to see Yamaha doing something different and I applaud their interpretation of such a concept. Any idea as to price?

[Moi]

... Any idea as to price?

$23990, seems to be what's showing up on TradeMe.

[onearmedbandit]

Does it wheelie?

[WALRUS]

Yes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJJ9FF5SJFQ

339931

[george formby]

Ah ha. :woohoo:

I wondered how long before the Niken got more powers..

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7yewReN9YmM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>



And an unpolished opinion from Chris Moss.

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[Hoonicorn]

The GT version looks the part. Reviews have said that it is really comfy for long distances.

[Scubbo]

so are cars though

[AllanB]

And chubby chicks

[MD]

I suffered that 30 + minutes of Bike Social chat to enjoy the brief Niken action shots. As they said don't judge it until you have ridden it and I liked his comment "it is NOT a trike to everyone except motorcyclists" ignorant fools.

The Niken is still the only bike I'm interested in when the time comes to say bye bye to the MT09. Bloody shame they aren't selling any!

[AllanB]

To radical for us common folks? Like the 90's Yammy GTS1000 was?

[McWild]

Will probably see a few come over as imports in the next few years as you do see a few of them out and about over here.

[onearmedbandit]

Will probably see a few come over as imports in the next few years as you do see a few of them out and about over here.

Maybe but as they are sold here there is little market for the imports.

[Blackbird]

Most riders here seem to like the looks but just to set a contrary personal tone, I simply don't like the looks. I can appreciate the engineering and benefits but as a 71 year old moving towards the pointy end of retiring from bikes, it would do nothing to encourage me to buy one to stave off the inevitable. Same goes for the Can-Am or any other variants. Would sooner have a Lotus 7 replica. Good on them though for thinking outside the box.

[onearmedbandit]

Most riders here seem to like the looks but just to set a contrary personal tone, I simply don't like the looks. I can appreciate the engineering and benefits but as a 71 year old moving towards the pointy end of retiring from bikes, it would do nothing to encourage me to buy one to stave off the inevitable. Same goes for the Can-Am or any other variants. Would sooner have a Lotus 7 replica. Good on them though for thinking outside the box.

Although I'm a few years behind you (43 now) I concur. When I can no longer ride a two-wheeler I'll go for something along the lines of a light-weight bare bones car to get my thrills from auto's. But I have nothing bad to say about any of the variants we are seeing coming out now.

[Navy Boy]

Most riders here seem to like the looks but just to set a contrary personal tone, I simply don't like the looks. I can appreciate the engineering and benefits but as a 71 year old moving towards the pointy end of retiring from bikes, it would do nothing to encourage me to buy one to stave off the inevitable. Same goes for the Can-Am or any other variants. Would sooner have a Lotus 7 replica. Good on them though for thinking outside the box.

Yep - It's funny how every now and again Yamaha and others have a go at making something really different such as this and the GTS 1000 before it. I can't say that I'm that tempted to take it for a test ride but I hope that Yamaha enjoy at least some success with it. Having said that I'd rather have this than a Can-Am Spyder... :yes:

[george formby]

Although I'm a few years behind you (43 now) I concur. When I can no longer ride a two-wheeler I'll go for something along the lines of a light-weight bare bones car to get my thrills from auto's. But I have nothing bad to say about any of the variants we are seeing coming out now.


An Ariel Atom can park it's slippers in my shed any day.

[Blackbird]

An Ariel Atom can park it's slippers in my shed any day.

Yumm! To be perfectly candid, something like a Lotus7 would be wasted on me as it wouldn't get used enough. When I get REALLY old and feeble, I'll probably settle for a lightweight trail bike like a WR 250 that I can pootle from from Coromandel up to Fletcher's Bay on the dirt. That will probably end up with a Westpac chopper ride when I go over a cliff or encounter some tosser in a camper van who can't stay on their side of the road :msn-wink::laugh:

[george formby]

Yumm! To be perfectly candid, something like a Lotus7 would be wasted on me as it wouldn't get used enough. When I get REALLY old and feeble, I'll probably settle for a lightweight trail bike like a WR 250 that I can pootle from from Coromandel up to Fletcher's Bay on the dirt. That will probably end up with a Westpac chopper ride when I go over a cliff or encounter some tosser in a camper van who can't stay on their side of the road :msn-wink::laugh:

I've already gone down the trials bike route to help with fitness and technique as the years passed make themselves known. Better than a gym membership!

Back to the Niken.....

I would not be surprised to see 3 wheel technology refined and become more common place as ecletic technology advances. Plenty of scope for big batteries.

[Blackbird]

I've already gone down the trials bike route to help with fitness and technique as the years passed make themselves known. Better than a gym membership!

Back to the Niken.....

I would not be surprised to see 3 wheel technology refined and become more common place as ecletic technology advances. Plenty of scope for big batteries.

Great stuff!

When we were in China last month, literally every scooter in Shanghai was battery-powered and there were hordes of them. Ok, this was part of their plan to combat their pollution problem but it also means that they've got a lot of serious R&D going on. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see big advances coming out of there in terms of battery technology.

[Daffyd]

I've been saying this since they brought out the Tri-city. It's very handy in stop/go traffic if you don't have to put a foot down every few metres.

I have mentioned this to Yamaha, and several dealers, but deaf ears. My thinking is, if Piaggio can do it with the MP3, then why can't Yamaha?

I understand they have a new 3 wheeled scoot coming out called the 3CT 300. (Get it? Tricity 300.) This has a locking mechanism to keep it upright when stationary. I await with anticipation...

[SaferRides]

Great stuff!

When we were in China last month, literally every scooter in Shanghai was battery-powered and there were hordes of them. Ok, this was part of their plan to combat their pollution problem but it also means that they've got a lot of serious R&D going on. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see big advances coming out of there in terms of battery technology.

I doubt we will see any major advances in batteries now unless someone develops a better battery technology than lithium. There are incremental improvements though - just look at how much further the current Leaf can travel on a charge compared with the older models.

Fuel cells are probably the next step, but we will need a hydrogen infrastructure before that can happen.

[Blackbird]

I doubt we will see any major advances in batteries now unless someone develops a better battery technology than lithium. There are incremental improvements though - just look at how much further the current Leaf can travel on a charge compared with the older models.

Fuel cells are probably the next step, but we will need a hydrogen infrastructure before that can happen.

Yep, the immediate improvements are definitely incremental. Apparently, some promising experimental results are being obtained with lithium sulphur.

[nerrrd]

I doubt we will see any major advances in batteries now unless someone develops a better battery technology than lithium. There are incremental improvements though - just look at how much further the current Leaf can travel on a charge compared with the older models.

Fuel cells are probably the next step, but we will need a hydrogen infrastructure before that can happen.

What about graphene? Been waiting ages for that to cross from research into the real world, hard to know at this stage how viable it might end up being.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/graphene-batteries-supercapacitors

[SaferRides]

There is a fundamental safety issue with supercapacitors, which is that they can discharge the stored energy very quickly. You just don't want to think about how badly that could go wrong.

I remember when graphene first hit the headlines. I was still at uni!

[Moi]

I understand they have a new 3 wheeled scoot coming out called the 3CT 300. (Get it? Tricity 300.) This has a locking mechanism to keep it upright when stationary. I await with anticipation...

Are they catching up?

[george formby]

There is a fundamental safety issue with supercapacitors, which is that they can discharge the stored energy very quickly. You just don't want to think about how badly that could go wrong.

I remember when graphene first hit the headlines. I was still at uni!

A lot of stuff is being tested but it's going to be some time before a better technology than what is current, heh, makes it into production.

[MD]

Guys get back on topic. Go to Eveready.com and chat about batteries to your hearts content. I want someone else to test ride a Niken and share their thoughts please.

[SaferRides]

Guys get back on topic. Go to Eveready.com and chat about batteries to your hearts content. I want someone else to test ride a Niken and share their thoughts please.I'm planning to test ride a KTM 790 soon. A motorcycle.

[Blackbird]

I'm planning to test ride a KTM 790 soon. A motorcycle.

Absolutely love mine: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-scalpel-one-month-and-1500-km-down.html . The only real complaint is the OEM Maxxis pure sport tyres. Now the colder temperatures are here, it's hard to get enough heat into them and they don't grip. Getting Bridgestone T31's fitted tomorrow at Drury Performance Centre.

[SaferRides]

Absolutely love mine: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-scalpel-one-month-and-1500-km-down.html . The only real complaint is the OEM Maxxis pure sport tyres. Now the colder temperatures are here, it's hard to get enough heat into them and they don't grip. Getting Bridgestone T31's fitted tomorrow at Drury Performance Centre.Thanks, your review was one of the reasons for my interest in the bike. How do you find the suspension?

The Yamaha nakeds are decent value also - did you consider the MT09?

[Blackbird]

Thanks, your review was one of the reasons for my interest in the bike. How do you find the suspension?

The Yamaha nakeds are decent value also - did you consider the MT09?

Suprisingly for non-adjustable suspension (discounting preload), it's really good and seems to cater for a wide range of rider weights according to feedback from the KTM forums. The front and rear units are both White Power with progressive springs. Some owners have upgraded but most seem pretty happy despite the limited adjustability. I'm 72 kg in my socks and it's fine for me. The bike's light weight and fairly aggressive geometry might well contribute to good handling too.

No, I didn't consider the MT 09 , partially because it didn't have the emotional appeal of the KTM but also because most owners acknowledge that they have to splash out on suspension upgrades fairly quickly. The MT10SP is a different kettle of fish, but so is the price :yes:

EDIT: Fitted Bridgestone T31's today as the OEM Maxxis pure sport tyres started to show grip limitations in cold, damp weather.

[george formby]

Suprisingly for non-adjustable suspension (discounting preload), it's really good and seems to cater for a wide range of rider weights according to feedback from the KTM forums. The front and rear units are both White Power with progressive springs. Some owners have upgraded but most seem pretty happy despite the limited adjustability. I'm 72 kg in my socks and it's fine for me. The bike's light weight and fairly aggressive geometry might well contribute to good handling too.

No, I didn't consider the MT 09 , partially because it didn't have the emotional appeal of the KTM but also because most owners acknowledge that they have to splash out on suspension upgrades fairly quickly. The MT10SP is a different kettle of fish, but so is the price :yes:

EDIT: Fitted Bridgestone T31's today as the OEM Maxxis pure sport tyres started to show grip limitations in cold, damp weather.

Looking forward to your feed back on the new rubber. That was almost a pun..

Put a T31 rear on my TDM but only managed to scrub off the wispy bits before I broke my arm so I can only comment on right hand bends.

A 300 Tricity would be fun, a 300 Tricity twin?:woohoo:

[Blackbird]

Put a T31 rear on my TDM but only managed to scrub off the wispy bits before I broke my arm so I can only comment on right hand bends.

And would that comment be that they're shit on right handers? :doctor: :laugh:

[SaferRides]

Suprisingly for non-adjustable suspension (discounting preload), it's really good and seems to cater for a wide range of rider weights according to feedback from the KTM forums. The front and rear units are both White Power with progressive springs. Some owners have upgraded but most seem pretty happy despite the limited adjustability. I'm 72 kg in my socks and it's fine for me. The bike's light weight and fairly aggressive geometry might well contribute to good handling too.

No, I didn't consider the MT 09 , partially because it didn't have the emotional appeal of the KTM but also because most owners acknowledge that they have to splash out on suspension upgrades fairly quickly. The MT10SP is a different kettle of fish, but so is the price :yes:

EDIT: Fitted Bridgestone T31's today as the OEM Maxxis pure sport tyres started to show grip limitations in cold, damp weather.
Thanks. The suspension felt good when given a bounce test in the showroom.

I just need to find a way to fund it - there must be something I can sell that the wife won't notice!

[Daffyd]

Looking forward to your feed back on the new rubber. That was almost a pun..


A 300 Tricity would be fun, a 300 Tricity twin?:woohoo:

Sorry to disappoint you George. Single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valves.

[george formby]

Sorry to disappoint you George. Single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valves.

Lol, I didn't think it would be "hot".

Would be a hoot of a commuter with the MT03 motor.

[Daffyd]

Are they catching up?

One would hope so...