Test RideRoadYamaha Niken GT
The 890cc triple – in terms of wheels as well as cylinders – was first shown to the public in 2017 and, frankly, some jaws are still on the floor today. Stunned onlookers simply didn’t know what to make of the thing. What exactly was it? What was it for? Who would buy one?
It certainly wasn’t for car drivers to ride without a bike licence as the front wheel track is too narrow, and the bike will still fall over if you let go of it. Instead, Yamaha said it simply wanted to give more front-end feel to a premium sports tourer. Just as in climbing, where holding on to the wall with two hands is better than just one, with two wheels at the front there is more grip and less chance of losing the front.
The more open-minded were fascinated. I first rode a Niken in 2018 and have subsequently covered many miles on the three-wheeler, including touring Scotland. I love the grip and stability of the unique Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) front end, which allows you to get away with murder. But there were niggles: particularly a soft rear end, a small non-adjustable screen and, by modern standards, a general lack in premium spec and tech.
