I know the looks are diversive but pretty much everyone thats reviewed this bike have raved about it...if you can get passed the extra wheel and futuristic looks you might be surprised just how much fun these bikes are to ride, leans like no other bike ive ridden, more than enough power for everyday riding,mega comfortable (im 6'4" ) beautiful CP3 engine, massive respect to Yamaha for developing & releasing this beast of a machine (apparently it took 12 years)....try one you might just like it!

I've got a 2021 Niken and totally agree with everything you've said...most of all this bike is SO much fun in the twisties... you'll have to get used to the constant stares and pointing but I absolutely LOVE this bike 😍

As a tourer, I would really like to see that with the amazing FJR1300 motor. That would rise the bar for sure imo.

Bought one brand new unseen in person. First ride from Wigan to Surrey (June 22)- what an engineering marvel. Done mods over time, replaced oversized bars with 700 Rally Raid for aggressive position . It is my sport ride now.

I agree with 3WheelManNC. I did a big Yamaha group test ride with 20+ Nikens when they first came out. Absolute blast and lots of fun around the Box Hill area. First thing I said to Yamaha when we got back, was to stick the front end on an FJR1300 and I'd buy one straight away. I've been riding bikes all year round for nearly 40 years and luckily don't suffer from the angry, myopic attitude from some other bikers aimed at the Niken. This sort of criticism is not reserved just for Niken, as I get uninvited negative comments for every bike I ride, just because it's not what the critic would ride. I tell them that I ride what I like, based on my requirements, not theirs. Shame that some people have to behave like that. A main Yamaha dealer actually said to me that "I'm never having a Niken in my shop" ! But, I loved it and may buy the new Niken next year

Well done to Yamaha for keep making it

An amazing piece of kit from an engineering viewpoint.I hope enough people buy it. Yamaha deserve mega plaudits for bringing it out. I can't go past the Tracer 9 GT+.I don't tour 2 up anymore to justify owning one.

Nice vid! Rode one a few years ago and was very impressed.

that is one cathedral of engineering art , luv it

Thank you ! that was one very good "no bull" evaluation of the new niken which I very much appreciated, these are a bit like Hens Teeth here in Cornwall but with perseverance I might be able to get hold of one to test and purchase ??

Just love this unique piece.

My dad has one in his mountain home and its the best bike for such a scene, where you dont know the roads that well and you can use the extra wheel to be fast but safe. I love it, but it wouldnt work in the city imo. Its a bike for the mountains.

Great review Bob and as usual you know your stuff. Not my sort of bike but nevertheless I enjoy your vids as you take the trouble to learn about the bike before commenting, unlike some other reviewers on YT who make fatuous statements simply because they can't be bothered to acquire some basic knowledge of the controls and spec etc. I was watching one the other day of a Triumph where the chap stated that it was air cooled when it's water cooled, and that it had no rev counter when it does, a digital readout as one of the information options which he didn't have a clue about, and stated the weight as some 40kg below the correct figure. I gave up at that point as he obviously just hadn't taken the trouble to learn the bike, these weren't mere slips that anyone can make. Puts me right off when reviewers do that.

I've had one since 2018 when they first appeared. I love it and use it as a tourer doing motorcycle rallies mostly. It sure gets ALOT of attention and I've met heaps of people because of the bike. It's polarizing tho people are either fascinated by the tech or think its hideous(mostly H/D riders) don't buy one unless you like meeting people ha ha

Thank you for the excellent video I played it through a few times..... I live down in Cornwall and have been trying very very hard to get a test ride on one as this is/was going to be my next bike. I like the thinking of what Yamaha are trying to do here having also seen the vid of the Director of Yamaha uk ?? on youtube a week or so ago. I travelled up to Gloucester to see a 2021 model (shall I call it a mark 1) but obviously it didn't have the mark 2's refinements, I just went up to see the machine and look at the size etc. I wrote to Yamaha Europe a few weeks ago to ask them if they knew of anywhere in the UK where I could get a test ride on the new Niken and they graciously answered "sorry but at this time we know of no Nikens in the UK that you can test ride, although they are available to order and purchase" NONE?? in the UK why would anybody order one without first giving it a road test. According to Yamaha Eu they wanted to release the Niken in a slow and timely fashion to be able to give the riding public time to get their heads around a new strange looking bike and bat off the odd remarks from the riding Dinosaurs that like to keep their heads firmly in their helmets. Another factor was to be able to train up staff to ride and service the "strange looking" machine...... all this still leaves me having to wait a few months (suggested by Yamaha Eu) and then try again, I hope the novelty doesn't go off by then as its beginning to do at the moment. (I'll put my soap-box away now) and get back on my BMW.

I’ve been wondering over the last couple of years if they still make these. It’s an interesting,well made bike. I hope they sell well.

Hi Bob, what type of boots are you wearing in this video? I really like this channel and wish you even my success 😊

It has always looked weird because of what it is. But as you say an amazing engineering project. I would love a go to see what I think.

The amount of times my soul has left my body from passing hidden potholes or train tracks is too many lol I would LOVE to ride this this with all the security you have with riding it

Needs full on 4 cylinder 1300cc+ 150bhp+, shaft drive, 5gallon tank, more bodywork, electric screen, bigger panniers.

Yamaha knows how name the geometry LMW Ackerman steering geometry that is such a cool name

I do love the uniqueness, if you will, of the bike. Like you, I applaud yamaha for making it. Niche as it is…👍🤪🇨🇦

In March 2023 I paid £8k for a Niken 2021 prereg with zero miles on the clock. Absolutely love how it feels. Solid; comfortable; smooth; planted. Apart from being almost impossible to lose the front end, it is great to know that you will be staying upright if you have a front wheel puncture.

I always loved the scooter Peugeot mp3 500 & so goes with all version of Niken :)

Nice one Bob ! I can't believe they've sold enough to make it worth while... I've never seen one on the road. Personally I think it looks terrible 😅

Not only is it known for its handling abilities but it also must be invisible too, because I have never seen one.😂

I owned a 2019 GT which I wanted to use for myself and my wife to ride out together. I moved it on because for me, I found it just to top-heavy. And the value depreciation is beyond shocking too!

It seems that you've not been using the Motikom MPlus since your review last year, instead opting for a more classic intercom. Does it mean it's not that great as initially presented?

I wonder if you swapped those forks side for side so the wheels were on the outside if it would be wide enough to be classified as a trike?

Yamaha should update the super ténéré 1200 based on niken and equip it with 19" front wheels, 1300CC engine, shaft drive, tft display, 23l tank, more bodywork like the xmax ! This would be the perfect combination and break the GS

Nice review..it’s certainly different. I’m feeling the price of bike tyres, these days aren’t going to help sales figures. Love a go on one, tho.

Just did a quick Google. $10500 Australian for a turbo fitted and tuned with PC5, forged pistons and m10 bolt conversion.

Saw one of these in person, had to do a double take and was like wtf is that lol, I was baffled and intrigued at the same time

Thank you.

Bro where did you get that sweet jacket!

£16k is a lot but the last one had £5k knocked off... I got one for £10.5k pre reg zero miles.

What brand of jacket are you wearing?

Does Niken has Standing Assist like on the the Tricity 300?

My dream motorcycle😍🤩

I thought Yamaha had dropped the Niken from it's lineup. Maybe it's only discontinued in the US?

Not available in the US

Looks like a SciFi bike (maybe it's an Autobot?) ... I like it 🤩

I really wonder how the third wheel affects grip.

I'd like to get this "trike" for the Philippines with its narrow roads and hectic traffic patterns. I wonder if it's sold there

This bike is made for camermans on giro di Italia 😊

honestly surprised this doesn't have the r1's engine.

Why does Yamaha make this thing and who is buying them? I’ve never seen one on the road in USA (maybe it’s not sold here but I think it is).

Is this motorcycle included in the tricycles that can be ridden with driving license 79(3)?

Hi . I tried a Niken earlier this year. Good bike . Really enjoyed riding this Yam. Not a popular bike lots of people say its a special needs bike . They prob not ridden one lol

Better panniers than the last model. Correct: beefed-up crank. I'd have one of these.

Can it be riden with a car license? I saw a youtube clip of a similar bike (the concept, i mean..) a 300cc scooter and there it was discussed that it can be ridden on a car license due go the front wheels are distant a certain measure frm each other. Is this the case with the niken? If so it is an interesting product. It expensive though....

I would like to test ride one of these bikes if they were readily available in the USA.

I don't have any idea about that bike, if you tilt it too much, would you crash, as you would do with normal bikes?

They should make the rear like the front.

if this would have the MT10 engine i would buy it yesterday

The Niken is unfortunately no longer available here in the US.

Good bike 🚲

wonder why yamaha put the forks on the outside vs the inside…..

Bring to US please

great for older people who do not want a trike

i'm 5.6 tall, is this bike to big for me?

Bike is frkn cool

I would rather have that then a trike.

Heavier, more expensive, slower, odd, not well finished. Indeed it’s a niche product, nicely resumed 😉✌️

There are a lot of delusional commenters here; many saying how much fun this “bike” is to ride. I’m not saying that it isn’t fun to ride, but is it more fun than any equivalent single-track vehicle? I would say that the single-track is about the same or even a bit more fun, right up until the point where you lose the front end due to lack of traction, but how often does that happen? Living in the Pacific Northwet of the USA most riding for pleasure takes place in the drier 6 months and you don’t need to worry about grip. I have commuted year-round on a bike, but when commuting in rush hour traffic you are rarely pushing the performance envelope, wet-or-dry. I’d rather dial it back a bit more in the wet than ride a Niken; and you can still fall off a Niken. Having said that I think Bob’s review was pretty fair.

They should have fitted it with Semi Active Suspension and when stopped lock the forks by closing the valves so that it wont tip over. That way three wheels will be justified more. and also the MT-10 CP4 engine for more power.

I love the innovation, but it's still a bike looking for a market.

This looks wierd because we jave idea of 2 wheels as bike... I'm still processing it ...

What if they stuck the cp4 engine in that thing 🤔

Tbh they should just make it a 4 wheeler 😁👍🏽

Just want BMW to copy the front end on a shafty!

Different but then it probably includes people who need the extra features of this bike...I say yes..😅

Why would they put the windscreen adjuster handle on the right hand side? If you want to change it on the go, you’ll have to let go of the throw which is stupid.

So basically its a reversed trike.

If your crazy enough to buy one new, youll lose £8000 in depreciation in the UK before youve even ridden it. Theres currently only 150 taxed on uk roads.

It needs an engine with 180hp not a silly 113 especially with that weight and traction at the front end. Biggest miss of this. I'd love to buy it but that engine is a downgrade for me personally.

Do you need a bike licence to ride one? 🤔

Did the Yamaha staff on the day pronounce "Niken" like you did? I.E. "naikin". Because in Japanese, the "ni" would closer to "knee", although shorter. Rhyming with "pecan".

When you wheelie and press a secret button the 2 front wheels flip to the sides and the bike takes off ....

I don't understand why does it need dual shocks per wheel at the front end. It adds so much weight.

Motor is too small for touring two up with luggage and no shaft drive or electric screen.Fuel tank is also small .

hey man, how tall are you?

Needs a bigger engine, one More wheel, and maybe a roof. Seriously, though, I would ride it. It’s definitely a bike for those who are good at fork seals.

Oh heck SORRY FOLKS I didn't realise that I had already written a comment ......Sorry again Dc

How many have they sold? 20?

If they design it badass, then it would be very popular and iconic bike.

They need to just go ahead and make on road atvs

Motor-tricycle

Nah🤣 Not for me, and 270kg, might as well go for a GS...but horses for courses

Over here in the US, you get laugh off the bike 😂😂😂

Witf

CP3 engine has never been enough for this motorcycle. The bike should have been built around the VMAX V4 engine.

Too much mechanical moving parts

Personally, I'd take the Can-Am Spyder over this any day.

To me this is a police vehicle

Anyone who feels uncomfortable at lower speeds shouldn't be on a motorcycle. Buying a bigger, heavier, more dangerous version, won't change that.

Should have made it to ride on a car license

A fix for a problem that isn't.

No its not the way to do it. If you want to make a three wheeler follow the format of the Can-Am machines.

Big NAHHHHHH