Yamaha Niken 900 2019 — Specifications

Who would have bet, ten years ago, that a manufacturer would dare graft two front wheels onto a real road motorcycle? Not a three-wheeled scooter like the Piaggio MP3 or Peugeot Metropolis, no. A machine equipped with a genuine sport engine, a true diamond frame, and a real touring vocation. Yet that is precisely the gamble Yamaha launched with the Niken 900, unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2015 and brought to market in 2019 at a price of 14,999 euros. A steep price tag, admittedly, but a fair one for a machine with no equivalent on the market.

The heart of the beast is well known. It is the 847 cc CP3 triple that already delights owners of the MT-09, Tracer 900, and XSR 900. How much power does the Yamaha Niken 900 produce? Exactly 115 hp at 10,000 rpm, backed by 87.3 Nm of torque available from 8,500 rpm. A fierce, mid-range-rich engine that pushes the machine to 200 km/h. Nothing comparable to a Can-Am Spyder and its sluggish flat-twin. Here, the temperament is that of a purebred roadster — punchy and playful — channeled through a well-spaced six-speed gearbox and a conventional chain drive.

But the Yamaha Niken 900 is not defined by its engine alone. The real appeal lies in its Leaning Multi-Wheel front end, a multi-axle system composed of two independent inverted forks, each controlling a 15-inch wheel. Each leg receives its own radial-mount four-piston caliper biting a 298 mm disc. The result? Cornering stability and composure on broken surfaces that no conventional motorcycle can match. Potholes, wet manhole covers, mid-corner tarmac seams — the Niken swallows them all with disconcerting calm. The rear brake, more conventional, makes do with a single 282 mm disc and a single-piston caliper, sufficient to balance braking forces. For demanding riders, fitting braided stainless-steel brake lines on the Yamaha Niken 900 remains a worthwhile upgrade for sharper bite and better lever feel.

Then there is the question of weight. At 263 kg wet and with an 18-liter tank, the Niken is no featherweight. That is, in fact, often the first criticism leveled at it. But the mass vanishes as soon as the wheels start turning, thanks to a well-placed center of gravity and a rigid diamond frame designed specifically for the bike. In the city, it filters through traffic better than one might expect: its width barely exceeds that of a BMW R 1200 R. The Yamaha Niken 900 requires a restricted A2 or full A motorcycle license, like any motorcycle of this displacement. No special three-wheeler license is needed, contrary to what some may assume.

So who is it for? First and foremost, curious riders perhaps slightly uneasy about grip in tricky conditions, or those seeking an extra sense of security without giving up the thrill of leaning. Touring riders will find a formidable ally, especially in its GT variant geared more toward comfort. The price of a new Yamaha Niken 900 GT hovers around 16,000 euros; on the used market, a 2021 Yamaha Niken 900 GT with 2,500 km on the clock can be found for around 10,500 euros, which represents a great deal for entering this unique segment. The Niken is neither a gimmick nor a compromise. It is a radical proposition that divides opinion, and that is precisely what makes it compelling. Yamaha took a risk. Those who ride it quickly understand why.