I test rode the new Niken Yamaha yesterday

[ledany]

and I loved it ! If the thing is already available in the new world, do give it a try ! It's a brand new experience, especially in curves (but not only) : you feel so much more confidence, easyness and fun ! 

[dans2014]

It is so freaky, it scares me. Time will tell. Seems to be over priced for what you get. Was it super stable at slow and fast speeds?

[ledany]

The bike is simply funny to look at but function is as new as the form is. This Niken is more stable and secure than any other bike, anywhere, anytime but especially in precarious road conditions (bumps, gravel, rain, ice on half of the road I guess). I rode it in dry weather, I'll give another try this week now that the weather has changed (cold and rain).

The price here is 17,000 $ (15, 000 €). If you compare it to a 530 T-Max (15,000 $), a Twin Triumph or even a full F800 GS (17,000 $), it's a bargain considering the fun and the extraordinary safety it gives. For example, in precarious conditions, the ABS may work only on one of the two front wheels if one is on the gravel and the other not.

I will test ride the new R 1250 GS tomorrow and I already know that I will not enjoy it as much, especially when you look at the price (20,000 $ no options, 23,300 $ fully equiped  ).

[dans2014]

Ok. Let us know if you buy one and give us an update

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Most expensive fork seal job ever!   

I don't know if it's for me, but I'd like to try one out before total judgement. Very interesting concept, though.

[Adirondack Bill]

To me, it looks like a motorcycle on crutches- like the bike has a handicap.

[ledany]

Ok. Let us know if you buy one and give us an update

No, I don't intend to buy one anytime soon because the Niken is brand new and obviously needs some improvements (higher shield, cases, explicit maintenance costs, reliability) and some journalists say that the Niken may be the beginning of other models - MT-10 ? 



But I test rode the new R 1250 GS two days ago and even if it's fine or even excellent - and outrageously expensive  -26,000 $ 



I confess that in winter conditions, I'd rather ride the Niken because you feel safer and easier on wet roads, regardless of the limited top speed of the Niken (110 mls/h) which may be enough for you in the new world but not here ! 

[DGS65]

Maybe it's me but it looks like it has training wheels!
What is the advantage of two front wheels?
It certainly looks ridiculous!
I don't have any desire to test drive it anytime soon.

[hubcapsc]

It's a brand new experience, especially in curves (but not only) : you feel so much more confidence, easyness and fun !

I'll bet  thanks for posting...

-Mike

[Wayne Basso]

I expect hitting something would be very expensive, at least 2x as much.

[ledany]

Maybe it's me but it looks like it has training wheels!
What is the advantage of two front wheels?
It certainly looks ridiculous!
I don't have any desire to test drive it anytime soon.

Some people (including the dealer !  ) say it looks like a walker    

If you're so suspicious the two front wheels, I can't convince you and I understand that for some passers by, it may look ridiculous or futuristic




or even like this



but sometimes you may admire the thing from another point of view



(Not me riding !)

So if you change your mind and get curious, please go ahead and test ride it !
If you're not stunned by the way it handles in curves, breaking, precarious road conditions, I buy you a Paypal beer.





























But if you confess after the ride your mistake and if I may say so, your prejudice, you'll owe me a beer ! 

[Hot Rod]

Seems they missed the boat ........Yes increased stability under bad conditions..... BUT it seems to me like having it set up like the 3 wheeled Piaggio would open up a huge market for disabled riders that had to give up 2 wheels for various reasons JMHO    

[bscrive]

Yep, they should have an upright locked position when coming to a stop.  This would have grabbed a lot more people to it.  I know of quite a few people whom are waiting for something similar with an upright locked position when stopping.  They ride Spyders right now because of medical conditions that prevent them from holding up a bike, but miss the leaning factor.  As soon as someone comes out with such a bike, they will have a lot of people in line to buy it.  Don't get me wrong, Spyders are fun to ride, but not my cup of tea.  My wife loves hers, though.  So much so that she just bought a new one.

[enroute1]

When I can no longer handle two wheels I'm going straight to four
Staying with the flat six motor though...

[ledany]

Ok. Let us know if you buy one and give us an update

I bought yesterday this old one :



The Niken is nice, but 15 times (fifteen) the cost of this funny one   

[RDKLL]

I really want to test ride one myself. We are getting a new bike late next year and it will most likely be the '19 KTM Super Duke GT but if they were to move the concept of the Niken power up to the MT-10 level we would definitely look at it. For those thinking this is a 3 wheeled alternative for older or less experienced riders, this is not! This a regular motorcycle with about 90% more grip allowing a much broader traction across all sort of conditions...maybe even light snow?
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/yamaha/yamaha-niken-review