Why You Need to Give the Yamaha Niken a Chance

It is no secret that motorcycle enthusiasts tend to be very conservative when it comes to change in the motorcycle industry. This could definitely be seen when Yamaha revealed The Yamaha Niken: a 3-wheel motorcycle. The Niken was not everyone’s cup of tea because it just seemed different than the rest, but some people will never be willing to accept that a motorcycle can have three wheels and be extremely fun to ride. Here are some reasons why you need to give the Yamaha Niken a chance.

Extra Front Wheel:

One of the main reasons many motorcycle enthusiasts question the Niken is because of the notable addition of the dual-wheel front end. Yamaha decided to add the extra tire to give the motorcycle a more cornering grip. The extra front tire contact patch offers 80% more front-end grip, but without losing any of the leaning and cornering dynamics of a motorcycle. Having two wheels at the front increases stability to your riding thus making you feel more confident when riding. Yamaha stated that having two wheels meant “twice as much tire touching the road, which translates into twice as much traction and twice as much stopping power.”

Insider Tip: The Yamaha Niken DOES NOT stand on its own. The Niken has to be ridden like a regular motorcycle and parked using a traditional kickstand.

Feels Like Any Other Motorcycle:

Aside from having three wheels, the Yamaha Niken handles and rides like any other “normal” motorcycle. The Niken does weight a bit more than the MT-09 it shares an engine with, but once you start riding, it is barely noticeable. Because the Niken cannot stand on its own, it steers, leans, and brakes like any other motorcycle. The only noticeable difference you can feel on the Niken is the grip you get when you reach a corner. The bike is pretty much glued to the road, giving the rider confidence and reassurance when riding. It’s amazing!

You Can Do Cool Tricks:

Just because the Yamaha Niken is bigger and has more features than your average motorcycle doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. As soon as riders see the double wheels in the front, they always ask if you can do wheelies with it. The answer is yes. Doing a wheelie with a Niken does not feel any different than doing a wheelie on any other motorcycle and it does not wreck when you land. You trickle along in first gear, drop the clutch and ping the throttle on the bottom of the torque curve, and up it comes. Aside from doing a wheelie, you can also put your knee down on the Niken. It's actually very easy to do because you will not have fear of losing your front. The NIKEN leans 45° before the front end runs out of clearance. The pegs touch down before it does, as a warning.

The Niken can Go Fast:

Although the Niken is heavier than your average motorcycle, the bike can potentially be faster than a normal 2-wheel motorcycle. Since the Niken is able to lean up to 45 degrees, it can steer more sharply around a corner at a much higher speed than a regular motorcycle. Not only will you go faster, but you will be safer because you will have a better grip on your motorcycle.The Niken is comfortable and can cruise the highways and tackled the twisties as any other bike can.

Test Ride a Niken!

The Yamaha Niken is one of those motorcycles that you have to ride it to fully get the feel of the bike. Although the front wheels and size of the motorcycle can be intimidating, being able to experience the bike will let you get a whole new perspective on the 3-wheel motorcycle. This bike is perfect for new riders or someone returning to bikes who want that extra level of grip to back them up a bit in the corners. The Yamaha Niken can be your next Bike!

Conclusion:

The Yamaha Niken has gotten a lot of criticism from motorcycle enthusiasts because it is different than anything the Powersports industry has ever seen before. However, the Niken is just like any other motorcycle, just with an additional front wheel that will allow you to have a better grip for your motorcycle. Give the Yamaha Niken a chance and it soon might be your next motorcycle.

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