Niken a Go Go: Yamaha’s Radical New Three-Wheeled Sportbike

[Rams]

Niken a Go Go: Yamaha’s Radical New Three-Wheeled Sportbike

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/motorcycles/niken-a-go-go-yamaha%E2%80%99s-radical-new-three-wheeled-sportbike/ar-AAu5nSp?li=BBisPVf&ocid=spartanntp

Yamaha has been on a product tear over the past few years. The FZ-07, -09, and -10 Hyper Naked sportbikes are fantastic, and the sub-liter FZs are a screaming value to boot. The tuning-fork brand is gunning for Harley with its humongous Star Venture, a full-dress tourer that combines Japanese refinement with a stonking huge V-twin. The latest version of its vaunted R1 race replica consistently wins raves from the motorcycle press. And now, well, there’s the Niken.

Two wheels up front and one in the rear isn’t exactly a new idea. Can-Am’s Spyders offer an open-air experience for those who, for whatever reason, would rather not be astride a two-wheeler. The Morgan 3 Wheeler is an archaic hoot. And Piaggio has been building its MP3 line of scooters for over a decade now. It’s this last machine that the Niken most closely resembles. The Piaggio and the Yamaha differ from other three-wheelers by employing a front-suspension setup that allows a three-wheeler to lean like a bona fide motorcycle while offering reassuring, tripod-like stability as well as a larger front contact patch.

More info and pictures at the link.   Interesting concept....................

[Gavin_Sons]

Kind of dumb, I would have likes to see them do something like the spider or even the slingshot.

[Rams]

Kind of dumb, I would have likes to see them do something like the spider or even the slingshot.

To each their own.   I guess the difference is getting in versus, getting on.   That and the supposed difference in performance.   Not sure, haven't ridden any of them.

Edited: Well, that and the always important "lean factor".

[Ramie]

I personally like this design better.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photo-gallery/tilting-motor-works-leaning-3-wheeled-harley-conversion/

[Rams]

I personally like this design better.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photo-gallery/tilting-motor-works-leaning-3-wheeled-harley-conversion/

Another interesting concept.   Would love to try either one or both out just for kicks.

Reference the HD pic.   My lord that's ugly.   I know, it's a matter of personal taste and some folks like that style of frontal protection but, IMHO it's FUGLY.

[Gavin_Sons]

I personally like this design better.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photo-gallery/tilting-motor-works-leaning-3-wheeled-harley-conversion/

I like that much better 

[RDKLL]

I really like the Yamaha version. I would like to see a video with a little more aggressive riding. I know that since we dipped our toe in the sport touring (very heavy on the sport part) I could see that Yamaha as a real 3 wheeled alternative...

[Alpha Dog]

Yamaha has a great reputation for quality.  Is there a market for that Niken a Go Go?  I agree with Gavin if you want 2 wheels up front go after the Spyder Market who's reputation for quality is not very good although I think that has changed for the better in last 3 years.  I mean every year I notice more and more Trikes which seems to be the one side of the market that currently has good potential growth.  That Tilting Motor Works is interesting indeed.

[Kep]

Almost as ugly as my Mother-in-law....oooops did I say that out-loud !

[bscrive]

The reverse trikes are getting more and more common.  With the aging population with ailments that prevent them from riding two wheelers and others that like the stability of three wheels, the sales are taking off.  My wife tried a Shadow, but was not confident on it.  The Spyder gives her that added confidence that she needed.  Now that she has been riding for 5 years, she is ready to go to a leaning bike.  when I ride my wife's Spyder F3 it is ok, I can't wait to get back on my Valk.  I believe that it is the lean factor that I miss.  My wife misses it as well after being on the back of my bikes for so many years.  She is excited to try the Niken out, but hopes that they will come with the semi auto transmission like the FJR has.  She loves her Spyder, but once it is out of warranty she will be looking for something else.  The Spyders are just too expensive to fix when they break.  Her F3 has been better than the other two Spyders she has had, but the confidence factor is still not there.  She would like to try something else.  Mind you, if the Honda Neowing ever comes out she will jump on that instead.

[northernvalk]

The reverse trikes are getting more and more common.  With the aging population with ailments that prevent them from riding two wheelers and others that like the stability of three wheels, the sales are taking off.  My wife tried a Shadow, but was not confident on it.  The Spyder gives her that added confidence that she needed.  Now that she has been riding for 5 years, she is ready to go to a leaning bike.  when I ride my wife's Spyder F3 it is ok, I can't wait to get back on my Valk.  I believe that it is the lean factor that I miss.  My wife misses it as well after being on the back of my bikes for so many years.  She is excited to try the Niken out, but hopes that they will come with the semi auto transmission like the FJR has.  She loves her Spyder, but once it is out of warranty she will be looking for something else.  The Spyders are just too expensive to fix when they break.  Her F3 has been better than the other two Spyders she has had, but the confidence factor is still not there.  She would like to try something else.  Mind you, if the Honda Neowing ever comes out she will jump on that instead.

Fu*%&^ng BRP is an embarrassment to our country.....junk quality and government handouts....

[The emperor has no clothes]

The reverse trikes are getting more and more common.  With the aging population with ailments that prevent them from riding two wheelers and others that like the stability of three wheels, the sales are taking off.  My wife tried a Shadow, but was not confident on it.  The Spyder gives her that added confidence that she needed.  Now that she has been riding for 5 years, she is ready to go to a leaning bike.  when I ride my wife's Spyder F3 it is ok, I can't wait to get back on my Valk.  I believe that it is the lean factor that I miss.  My wife misses it as well after being on the back of my bikes for so many years.  She is excited to try the Niken out, but hopes that they will come with the semi auto transmission like the FJR has.  She loves her Spyder, but once it is out of warranty she will be looking for something else.  The Spyders are just too expensive to fix when they break.  Her F3 has been better than the other two Spyders she has had, but the confidence factor is still not there.  She would like to try something else.  Mind you, if the Honda Neowing ever comes out she will jump on that instead.

Fu*%&^ng BRP is an embarrassment to our country.....junk quality and government handouts....

I don't know anything about the Canadian Government handouts. But Ive always felt every snowmachine, track vehicle, motorcycle I've ridden of theirs was great quality.

[northernvalk]

The reverse trikes are getting more and more common.  With the aging population with ailments that prevent them from riding two wheelers and others that like the stability of three wheels, the sales are taking off.  My wife tried a Shadow, but was not confident on it.  The Spyder gives her that added confidence that she needed.  Now that she has been riding for 5 years, she is ready to go to a leaning bike.  when I ride my wife's Spyder F3 it is ok, I can't wait to get back on my Valk.  I believe that it is the lean factor that I miss.  My wife misses it as well after being on the back of my bikes for so many years.  She is excited to try the Niken out, but hopes that they will come with the semi auto transmission like the FJR has.  She loves her Spyder, but once it is out of warranty she will be looking for something else.  The Spyders are just too expensive to fix when they break.  Her F3 has been better than the other two Spyders she has had, but the confidence factor is still not there.  She would like to try something else.  Mind you, if the Honda Neowing ever comes out she will jump on that instead.

Fu*%&^ng BRP is an embarrassment to our country.....junk quality and government handouts....

I don't know anything about the Canadian Government handouts. But Ive always felt every snowmachine, track vehicle, motorcycle I've ridden of theirs was great quality.

Well the stats don't back it up....Ski-doo's have some of the worst reliability of all, people on here and others will attest to the lack of quality in the spyders.  The ATVs are slightly better but still not even close to Honda in my 30 years of experience. I have re-built more rotax sled motors than all other combined....

[bscrive]

Northernvalk, the government handouts have been to Bombardier which is the Airplane company.  BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) is a separate company that was sold off a number of years ago from Bombardier.  BRP and Bombardier are two totally separate companies now.  BRP doesn't get gov't subsidies as far as I know.  I was never fond of the Skidoo line, I always preferred Polaris, but they have had their share of crap products as well.

[northernvalk]

It was more of a re-strucuture with the Bombi family retaining 35% and 15% going to a quazi government pension fund.  You are correct that they are separate but only in title....Steal from Peter to pay Paul situation.  I am a polaris guy also, but they are not perfect either.  All I know is that every single person I know with the exception of ONE, yes ONE! have rebuilt their ski-doo engines....That is absolute truth, because I rebuilt most of them myself. New yami's and some 600 (NOT E-TEC) 2 strokes are decent but most sleds will blow.  The yellow ones just do it more often....

[The emperor has no clothes]

The reverse trikes are getting more and more common.  With the aging population with ailments that prevent them from riding two wheelers and others that like the stability of three wheels, the sales are taking off.  My wife tried a Shadow, but was not confident on it.  The Spyder gives her that added confidence that she needed.  Now that she has been riding for 5 years, she is ready to go to a leaning bike.  when I ride my wife's Spyder F3 it is ok, I can't wait to get back on my Valk.  I believe that it is the lean factor that I miss.  My wife misses it as well after being on the back of my bikes for so many years.  She is excited to try the Niken out, but hopes that they will come with the semi auto transmission like the FJR has.  She loves her Spyder, but once it is out of warranty she will be looking for something else.  The Spyders are just too expensive to fix when they break.  Her F3 has been better than the other two Spyders she has had, but the confidence factor is still not there.  She would like to try something else.  Mind you, if the Honda Neowing ever comes out she will jump on that instead.

Fu*%&^ng BRP is an embarrassment to our country.....junk quality and government handouts....

I don't know anything about the Canadian Government handouts. But Ive always felt every snowmachine, track vehicle, motorcycle I've ridden of theirs was great quality.

Well the stats don't back it up....Ski-doo's have some of the worst reliability of all, people on here and others will attest to the lack of quality in the spyders.  The ATVs are slightly better but still not even close to Honda in my 30 years of experience. I have re-built more rotax sled motors than all other combined....

I'm going to trust you on the stats. I don't know them, and it's been years since I've had any Ski Doo's or Can Am's. but all I've had or my friends had were good machines. I can remember some old Elans and Olympics going for decades.

[Savago]

@Rams: I liked the concept it is quite fitting that they used the fz-09/fj-09 engine (i.e. a triple) on it.
:-)

I can see myself buying one when I get too 'old' for riding.

[rocketray]

the tilting motor work bike has a Jay Lenon review on you tube as I recall that is pretty spectacular but very pricey...the Yamaha looks very promising for day rides like most of us do and if is reasonably priced might get some of us older riders back in the saddle/groove!!

[jimmytee]

Yeah, I like the Neo Wing if Honda actually brings it to production.

[Gavin_Sons]

Yeah, I like the Neo Wing if Honda actually brings it to production.

Now thats a reverse trike 

[jimmytee]

Yeah, I like the Neo Wing if Honda actually brings it to production.

Now thats a reverse trike 

It also leans in the turns. Similar to what you see in those scooters with the 2 front wheels that lean.

[Savago]

Found a video today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=70&v=ERpQ6_NQGPM

It allows to have an idea of its behavior while moving.