Motorcycle specifications YamahaNiken 900 GT 2023 Stubbornly trying to exist

After a successful debut and a few sales to riders curious about a 3-wheeled motorcycle capable of leaning into corners, the Niken continues its quiet career. In order to increase customer interest in this model, Yamaha is now aiming at a target market that is undoubtedly more touring than sporty, with a few modifications to this 3-wheeled motorcycle.

Do suitcases change everything?

Yes, I'm tempted to say. With this equipment, the Niken is undoubtedly aimed at a more affluent, less hurried and safety-conscious clientele. As a result, the original front axle becomes an argument, just as Piaggio used it to seduce the scooter-shy. On the other hand, with these 30-litre suitcases, you'll have to be careful when crossing the road. With the same idea of better travel, Yamaha has improved the bike's comfort with a new seat redesigned for better support. The bubble has also been redesigned and, above all, is height-adjustable. Thanks to a notch on the right-hand side of the bubble, it can be raised by 7 cm.

Behind this new bubble, the Niken follows the trend and adopts a new TFT screen as dashboard. Measuring 7 inches diagonally, in addition to the basic functions (speed, fuel, etc.), the screen features media functions (call management, messages or music streaming). With a paying subscription, you can also benefit from Garmin navigation on the screen. All these functions can be controlled while riding from a 5-axis joystick on the left handlebar. The screen display and animations are also customizable.

With this control, you can also manage the various riding modes, of which there are 4. Yamaha has predefined settings: Rain, Road and Sport. Owners also benefit from a Custom mode that lets them set the bike with the desired aids and levels of aid intrusion on traction control, slip control, anti-wheeling and ABS sensitivity.

The fairing houses a USB port, heated grips and cruise control. There's also a 12V socket under the seat.

An unarmed Niken

those of you who have followed this machine's development will remember the journalists who tried it out on rear wheels, despite the imposing, heavy front axle. The Niken had a boiler ... to scare its passenger. With its new Tracer 9 GT+ engine, Yamaha has chosen to tone down the Niken's turbulent side. The three-cylinder engine has a larger displacement (890 cm3), delivering 84.5 kW (114.9 bhp) and 90.7 Nm of torque (at 7,000 rpm) at 1,500 rpm , thanks to a heavier crankshaft. The aim is to make the ride smoother and more supple, more suited to duo travel with loaded suitcases.

To support the engine, the Niken is fitted with a shifter for both upshifting and downshifting. Given the extra weight of 40 kg compared to a Tracer GT+, the shifter is a plus if the gearbox needs to be manipulated more often for acceleration. Still, the machine weighs a whopping 270 kg (always good to know when handling the bike at a standstill).

In the same quest for comfort, Yamaha has also reworked the frame and suspension. The tubular steel chassis has been given thinner sections, and the shock absorber is mounted on new aluminum rods (steel on the old version) for enhanced progressiveness, thanks also to a new shock absorber spring.

The Niken retains its visual identity with the Ackermann Cantilever front axle. This consists of an inverted telescopic double fork with 110 mm of travel. Allowing a maximum angle of 45°, the front axle can be locked so that the bike stands upright on its own without the aid of a stand. Handy at red lights when your legs are a bit short.

Darwinian evolution ... logical

The nature of an animal species is to adapt in order to evolve and resist. The Niken has chosen the same path. For all its originality and undeniable sporting ability, its technology struggled to convince the traditional roadster enthusiast. Evolving towards Grand Tourism made sense. Its front-wheel drive capabilities make sense. It remains to be seen whether enthusiasts of German touring cars will be attracted by its originality. Now priced at almost 18,000 euros, the Niken takes its last gamble for survival.

Vincent Beaucousin - Médias constructeur