Yamaha Niken 900 2021 — Specifications

Three wheels, so what? Ever since Yamaha unveiled the Yamaha Niken 900 at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2015, the debate has raged between purists and the curious. The former cry heresy, the latter see a gateway to new sensations. The truth lies somewhere in between, but one thing is certain: nobody remains indifferent when faced with this machine whose silhouette looks like a Transformer escaped from a Hollywood studio. Yamaha has always known how to shake up conventions. The V-Max, the 500 XT, and the T-Max each opened paths that nobody had dared to take. The Niken falls in line with these polarizing machines, sitting at the crossroads between a three-wheeled scooter à la Piaggio MP3 and a punchy roadster. Except here, we're no longer talking about a scooter. We're talking about a real motorcycle, with a real engine, a real diamond frame, and real sporting ambitions.

Beneath the 18-liter tank beats the 847 cc CP3 triple-cylinder engine also found in the MT-09, the Tracer 900, and the XSR 900. How much horsepower does the Yamaha Niken 900 have? Exactly 115, delivered at 10,000 rpm, backed by 87.3 Nm of torque available from 8,500 rpm. The engine, fed by an 11.5:1 compression ratio and a bore/stroke of 78 x 59.1 mm, retains that fierce character and mid-range availability that make CP3 powerplants so thrilling. The six-speed gearbox transmits it all through a conventional chain drive, and the charge can reach up to 200 km/h. On paper, it's an MT-09 with a front end from another planet. In practice, it's a machine that redefines the very notion of grip and confidence.

Because the real show takes place in front of the rider. The Leaning Multi-Wheel system, with its dual inverted forks cradling two 15-inch wheels — each braked by a 298 mm disc and a four-piston radial caliper — delivers a level of cornering grip that conventional motorcycles simply cannot match. Poor conditions, greasy tarmac, manhole covers: all those traps lose their sting when two 120/70-15 tires share the workload up front. The rear remains conventional, with a mono-shock offering 125 mm of travel, a 282 mm disc, and a wide 190/55-17 tire ensuring traction. This setup speaks directly to riders drawn to the thrill of lean angles but held back by the fear of losing the front end. And also to long-distance tourers who devour miles in all weather conditions without wanting to play roulette at every wet roundabout.

What does the Yamaha Niken 900 weigh? You have to contend with 263 kg wet. That's heavy — significantly more than an MT-09 — and it shows during low-speed maneuvers. But the width, surprisingly, doesn't exceed that of a BMW R 1200 R. The proportions are far more imposing at a standstill than in motion. The instrumentation, inherited from the MT-10, integrates cruise control and multiple engine maps that allow the character to be tailored to the riding situation. A coherent equipment package for a machine sold at this price point.

What is the price of a Yamaha Niken 900? The list price stands at 14,999 euros for the standard version, and the Yamaha Niken 900 GT trim climbs another notch for grand touring enthusiasts. Used examples can be found, such as a 2021 Yamaha Niken 900 GT showing 2,500 km, for around 10,500 euros, which makes the proposition easier to swallow. Requiring only an A license, the Yamaha Niken 900 needs no special qualification despite its unconventional silhouette. Those looking to optimize braking performance may consider braided steel brake lines for the Yamaha Niken 900, a worthwhile investment given the demands placed on the front end. The Niken won't appeal to everyone, and that is precisely what makes it such an interesting machine. Yamaha took a risk — that of offering an object with no direct competitor and no defined category. Neither motorcycle, nor scooter, nor trike: just a Niken.