2019 YAMAHA NIKEN
FIRST TEST
P96
Three-Wheel Motion
Swing a leg over the Niken and it's
clear that this motorcycle is no toy,
nor a machine fit for beginners.
With a curb weight of 580-pounds
and a 59.4-inch wheelbase (0.39
in. longer than the Tracer 900), the Niken naturally
requires a reasonable degree of balance and bike
handling skills—especially at low speeds. Although
employing three wheels, the Niken doesn't self-
balance, requiring the rider to keep it upright and
under control.
Yet, on the road, you'll be surprised by how
maneuverable it is, despite weighing 155 pounds
more than its MT-09 sibling—the machine it loosely
shares some of its components with. Steering
feels natural, and it changes direction with minimal
handlebar pressure. Look where you want to go,
and this three-wheeler gets there fluidly, just like
riding a modern sport motorcycle.
Like a traditional bike, the suspension offers
a pleasing degree of movement—compress-
ing during corner entry, pressing down on the
specially made 15-inch Bridgestone Battlax A41
tires as you carve through turns. The sensation
feels similar to a two-wheeled motorcycle, dig-
ging into the pavement through a turn, or a pair
of snow skis, for you non-riders.
In fact, Yamaha was so eager to demonstrate
The MT-09-
derived triple
has been beefed
up to cope with
the extra weight
of the Niken
chassis.
Tell us this thing
doesn't look like it's
come straight off a
Star Wars set.
