Yamaha NIKEN
Yes, it has double front wheels – and it’s the most exciting thing to happen to biking in decades
Imagine hustling Yamaha’s invigorating, feel-good, punchy MT 09 along your favourite squiggling B-road and not having to worry about iffy road surfaces or damp patches. Imagine having a sense of grip and steadfast stability that let you concentrate on the joy of the ride, rather than the surface. More enjoyment, less worry. Say hello to Yamaha’s vision of the future. It’s easy mock a device so different to what we’re used to, however the benefits are real. You only need a blat on a Piaggio MP3 (see page 85) or Yam’s own Tricity to feel the confidence that comes from two front contact patches. Grip and braking stability are significantly increased. In the wet it’s a revelation. Yamaha’s NIKEN (pronounced ‘nick-en’ and all uppercase) is the first time leaning multi-wheel technology has been used for a motorcycle, rather than a scooter (let’s not start the trike argument). The production version of the MWT 9 concept shown in Tokyo two years ago, it has two suspension legs – it’s not a fork – outside each 15-inch wheel, sat on a 410mm track and with specially-developed 120/70 R15 tyres. Steering employs the Ackermann system used on cars, where the linkage turns each wheel a different amount to compensate for them following different corner radii. The NIKEN can lean to 45 degress on either side. The frame uses a cast steel steering head, linked to cast aluminium swingarm pivots with a steel tube trellis. The swingarm is 15mm longer than on an MT 09, to suit the cornering characteristics of the double front end and aid stability. You sit two inches further back compared to an MT as well, in order to get the front/rear weight distribution to 50/50. Yamaha say the character is similiar to a regular bike and that most riders will ‘transition seamlessly’ from two wheels to three. They also talk of ‘sporty handling performance’, and front and rear suspension is fully adjustable. Triple brake discs, of course. It’s the 847cc three-cylinder engine from the MT 09, but with modelspecific injection and a heavier crank – the MT’S crank is light, and the greater inertia will make the NIKEN smoother, increasing the ‘feel’ of torque and giving a less urgent nature. This will help with additional mass from the front end, although Yam haven’t disclosed weight yet. Other stuff? The aluminium tank holds 18 litres, there’s a fancy digi dash and 12v socket, plus traction control, cruise, ABS, modes and a quickshifter all as standard. The NIKEN will reach dealers in the middle of 2018. The first ones need to be reserved online, however it’s not some special or limited model – it’s taking a long-term place within Yamaha’s range and they see it as a serious alternative to a normal bike. So it’ll be sensibly priced. Look at the price step from an MT 07 to an MT 09, then on to a Tracer and the MT 10, and £13,000 or so doesn’t seem unrealistic given the spec and features. At the end of the day the number of wheels is irrelevant. If the NIKEN delivers the sensations and excitement of a bike, with increased safety and rider confidence, it’s got to be a good thing. It has the potential to encourage new riders, keep people riding longer, and to appear less of a risk for pillions, or to family members. There’s every chance what we’re looking at here is a step change in the face of motorcycling.
Bike says: ‘Inspired, innovative, brave: this is surely 2018’s most exciting new bike’
What’s it like to sit on?
Nestled within two bulbous plastic surrounds, the monochrome display from a standard MT 10 winks out at you. Sheets of dark bronze fairing cover the front section of the bike with just one hole for the ignition and handlebars. Perspective means that much of the front’s width is hidden from the rider’s point of view; from the seat it feels pretty much like a regular bike. The seat starts in line with the rear of the clutch case though, which makes it two inches more rearward than the MT 09 it shares engine and other parts with. It’s also wider and finishes further back – in line with the substantial rear disc. This way the rider is used as a counterbalance for the additional weight at the front. Grips are a fairly standard reach for the rider thanks to offset handlebar clamps. Large switchgear makes room for cruise control. Between the perch and the handlebar is a tall, wide tank whose shoulder lines continue into that sheet of a front fairing. Legs are spread much wider than on the MT. A glance to the mirrors reveals that these are placed lower than the handlebars and further forward than the front stanchion pair.