Yamaha Niken 900 2020 — Specifications

What happens when Yamaha decides to graft an extra wheel onto the front of a spirited roadster? You get the Yamaha Niken 900, a machine that looks like nothing else on the road and divides opinion as much as it fascinates. For decades, the tuning fork brand has been pushing conventions. The XT 500 invented the trail bike, the RDLC democratized the two-stroke sportbike, the T-Max redefined the GT scooter. The Niken falls in line with these machines that create their own category rather than conforming to existing ones.

The principle was already familiar in the scooter world. Piaggio MP3, Peugeot Metropolis, Yamaha Tricity: these tilting three-wheelers proved that a dual front end could appeal to a wide audience seeking stability. But no one had dared transpose the concept onto a real motorcycle, with a real engine full of character. The Niken crosses that threshold. Beneath its massive silhouette beats the 847 cc CP3 triple, the same engine that powers the MT-09 and the Tracer 900. How much horsepower does the Yamaha Niken 900 have? Exactly 115, delivered at 10,000 rpm, paired with 87.3 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. Enough to set a serious pace on back roads and highways alike, with an announced top speed of 200 km/h. Everything runs through a six-speed gearbox and a conventional chain final drive. The fierce character of the CP3, its generous top-end pull, and its mid-range flexibility remain fully intact. You get the raw pleasure of a Yamaha roadster, simply grafted onto a chassis of an entirely new kind.

Because it really is the front end that changes everything. The Leaning Multi-Wheel system consists of two independent inverted forks, each holding a 15-inch wheel fitted with a 298 mm disc gripped by a radially mounted four-piston caliper. This multi-axle setup absorbs road irregularities with a consistency that a conventional front end simply cannot match. On broken pavement, over a manhole cover mid-corner — situations where a rider on two wheels grits their teeth — the Niken holds its line with disconcerting poise. This is the machine's major strong point and its entire reason for being. For riders drawn to the thrill of sporty riding but held back by the inherent precariousness of balancing on two wheels, this third wheel is a game changer. Worth noting: the Niken can be ridden with a standard motorcycle license, no special category required.

Naturally, all this mechanical extravagance comes at a cost. What does the Yamaha Niken 900 weigh? 263 kg wet, including a full 18-liter tank. That's heavy. Heavier than a BMW R 1200 R, considerably heavier than an MT-09. At a standstill and during low-speed maneuvering, that mass makes itself known. The dedicated diamond frame and specific swingarm handle the load well, but let's not kid ourselves: in a parking lot or a tight U-turn, the kilos are there. The rear, more conventional, relies on a mono-shock with 125 mm of travel, a 190/55-17 tire, and a 282 mm disc with a single-piston caliper. Adequate, nothing more. On the equipment front, the instrument panel borrowed from the MT-10 displays essential information, supplemented by cruise control and configurable riding modes. The overall package feels serious. Braided brake lines for the Yamaha Niken 900 are also available as an accessory to sharpen the braking feel.

What does a Yamaha Niken 900 cost? Count on 14,999 euros new, which places it in a high bracket for a machine with no fairing and no overt touring vocation. The GT version, better equipped for road use, sells at similar prices. On the used market, you can find a 2021 Yamaha Niken 900 GT around 10,500 euros for low-mileage examples. Compared to a Tracer 900 GT or a BMW F 900 XR, the Niken costs significantly more for equivalent outright performance. But it doesn't play in the same league. Its argument is the mechanical confidence it inspires, that unique feeling of a front end planted no matter what. The Niken isn't aimed at track riders or beginners. It speaks to curious touring enthusiasts, experienced riders who want to ride fast and far without the constant apprehension of understeer or loss of grip. A niche machine, unapologetic, polarizing. Exactly what Yamaha does best.