Let me introduce you to Yamaha’s 2023 Niken GT, a three-wheel production motorcycle that is cutting-edge, bold, and the subject of considerable discussion. The 890cc triple, which has eight wheels and nine cylinders, debuted to the public in 2017 with an 847cc CP3 engine.
The front wheel track is too small, and if you let go of the bike, it would still tip over, making it impossible for vehicle drivers to ride. Instead, Yamaha claimed it merely intended to offer a premium sports tourer with more front-end sensation. With two wheels up front, there is more traction and a reduced risk of losing the front, just like while climbing, where holding onto the wall with two hands is preferable to one. In this blog, we will tell you about the Yamaha Niken GT First Ride experience.
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Yamaha Niken GT First Ride Experience
1. Degin
Yamaha has given the Niken a fresh lease on life for 2023 by fixing some of those issues and including other high-quality touches we weren’t unprepared for. On the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia, we spent a full day riding the new Yamaha Niken GT to evaluate the upgrades.
Despite appearing similar to the earlier bike, major modifications have occurred. The new SP3 890cc motor, up 42cc for the 2023 model, now generates 84.5Kw/113.3bhp at 10,000 rpm and 90.7Nm/66.9 ft-lb at 7000 rpm. In addition to a new hybrid steel and aluminum frame, Yamaha enhanced and reworked the rear suspension.
The seat has been redesigned to make it easier for shorter riders to access the ground, and the unpopular smaller dash has been replaced with a generously adjustable, seven-inch, high-luminosity screen. Niken owners desired this last modification more than anything. The Yamaha control wheel is replaced by new switchgear, and cruise control and an up-and-down quick-shifter are now included as standard features.
2. Yamaha Niken GT Weight
The new seat’s redesigned design simplifies getting two feet on the ground for shorter riders. As a small rider, despite the bike’s stated wet weight of 595 pounds, we’ve never experienced any weight-related issues.
Although the steering is slightly heavier than a typical bike of comparable bulk and capacity, it behaves as expected from a welcoming, well-equipped sports tourer. Since the two front wheels are independent of one another, you must pay attention since if one wheel runs into a road danger, it won’t be felt by the other.
When the rear wheel strikes a bump, it feels strange that the front wheels have already passed on either side. But once you adjust to these minor problems, the bike stops, turns, and travels just like a typical bike would.
Yamaha claims that a lean angle of up to 45 degrees may be achieved before the pegs begin to itch. It is a lot for a sports tourer and is achievable because of the additional side grip produced by the distinctive dual front wheels. Although it isn’t a pure sportbike, the unusual front end, and revised suspension arrangement allow you to handle lean angles that scrape the pegs confidently.
3. Speed Limit
The new Niken does have certain limits, though. The 110bhp CP3 may seem insufficient to people who want to use the Niken primarily for fully laden, two-up travel on quicker highways. Additionally, a lot is going on upfront due to a large amount of unsprung mass, which makes steering harder and more taxing than usual while making quick direction changes.
Plenty of grips are available, but it is a trusted grip or, if you prefer, assumed rather than felt. In other words, you can’t easily feel what the twin front tires are doing, and there isn’t the confidence-boosting feedback you’d expect from a set of conventional telescopic forks and a single contact patch. Rather, you employ the Force and have faith that the grip is present.
4. Braking Performance
Additionally, there are two ways to view braking performance. On the one hand, you have a long wheelbase, superb stability, and a huge overall contact patch produced by two tires. Despite having to stop 600 pounds of bike, a fully equipped rider, and any gear and passengers carried along. The small 15-inch wheels use very modest 298mm-diameter brake discs. It is obvious when you attack downhill mountain passes. There isn’t enough outright stopping power, so you must make up for it by firmly pulling the lever.
5. Comfort
The Yamaha Niken GT has always been known for its comfort. For 2023, that comfort is increased for the rider and the passenger. The broad frontal surface and fully upright windscreen make it simple to find shelter from the wind and rain, only up to a certain point. When it rains, the two front tires spray road water all over your boots since the rider sits farther from the windscreen than usual.
Conclusion
Yamaha has expanded its appeal with a new sweet-sounding engine derived from the MT-09, cruise control, and quick-shifter as standard in order to draw even more riders to the Niken. While a redesigned seat, huge panniers, and new colors provide a high-end finish, a larger and now adjustable screen and possibly one of the nicest dash-and-switch gear combos available on the market lend a luxury feel.
A revised rear linkage and upgraded shock have enhanced handling and ride quality. Now that the back matches the front, the ride is more pleasurable and athletic. We hope you like our Yamaha Niken GT First Ride experience blog.
FAQ’s
What is the Yamaha Niken GT?
The 2023 Yamaha Niken GT comes with several notable features, including a powerful 847cc liquid-cooled engine, dual front suspension systems, advanced rider aids such as traction control and ABS, a comfortable touring-oriented seat, spacious storage capacity, and an adjustable windscreen for improved aerodynamics.
The Yamaha Niken GT offers excellent performance on the road. Its three-wheel configuration provides enhanced stability and grip, allowing for confident cornering and maneuverability. The powerful engine delivers smooth acceleration, and the advanced suspension system ensures a comfortable ride.