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.
For 2023, Yamaha has given the Niken a new lease of life by addressing some of those shortcomings, and also added a few quality touches we weren't expecting.
Although it looks much like the older bike, there are significant changes. The 2023 model receives the new SP3 motor, up 42cc, and now produces 113.3bhp at 10,000rpm and 66.9lb-ft at 7,000rpm. There's a new steel and aluminium hybrid frame, and Yamaha has improved and redesigned the rear suspension, too.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
