Scooter-tricycle Yamaha “TriCity” in Thailand: review and photo

Sports-touring model Yamaha NIKEN

was first presented in 2022 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and official sales started in September 2022 (model year 2019).

The model is distinguished by a unique concept, which is based on the use of two front wheels and the proprietary LMW (Leaning Multi Wheel) system, which allows a three-wheeled motorcycle to gain the controllability of a two-wheeled one. Before the advent of the NIKEN model, similar technologies were used in the Yamaha Tricity scooter.

The Yamaha NIKEN was based on the engine from the MT-09 series - an in-line 3-cylinder liquid-cooled unit with a volume of 847 cm³ and producing 115 hp. power and almost 88 Nm of torque.

The motorcycle frame is a structure made of steel pipes with aluminum elements, in particular the swingarm. The front suspension is a combination of two inverted telescopic forks on each wheel, fully adjustable. The LMW system achieves the effect of a fully independent front suspension, providing optimal traction in almost all conditions and in all weathers.

In parallel with the regular NIKEN version, the NIKEN GT is offered on the market. This modification is distinguished by high touring glass, a more comfortable saddle, heated hands, side panniers, a luggage rack, two 12V sockets and a central stand.

NIKEN series models are also equipped with all modern Yamaha electronic technologies:

• Electronic throttle (YCC-T - Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle)
• ABS
• Cruise control
• Traction control system (TCS - Traction Control System)
• Selectable D-Mode
• Quick shifter (QSS - Quick Shift System)
• Assist and Slipper clutch

Specifications

Yamaha NIKEN Specifications:

Yamaha Niken

When the standard Yamaha Niken was presented to the world's motorcycle publications in the Austrian Alps in the spring of 2022, everyone was surprised at how comfortable it was in lean turns on poor road surfaces.

Of course, after discussing the pros of the Yamaha Niken, there was talk about the cons: the large mass of the front suspension (levers, two steering columns, four forks, an additional wheel - a total of about 45 extra kilos) and a maximum tilt angle of 45 degrees (due to the fact that the front the suspension is not able to fold further to accommodate a greater tilt) characterize the Niken rather as a utilitarian, but not a sports motorcycle, despite its base being common with the Yamaha MT-09. However, add a couple of touring accessories, such as a softer Comfort Series seat with improved padding on both the driver and passenger sides, a taller windshield, heated grips, quick-release saddlebags, passenger handles with center saddlebag mounts, a center stand and an additional 12-volt power outlet. , you can get a very decent sports-touring motorcycle called the Yamaha Niken GT, which does not cause disappointment at all when comparing its characteristics with other representatives of this category.

I didn’t go, but in my opinion it’s not comfortable!

People of non-standard height, disabled people, people with a sore spine or after accidents. A large group of potential users that until now “did not exist” for motorcycle companies...

I understand your distrust of the new. There was a similar attitude after the presentation of the iPhone by the then head of Microsoft. Today we know how many phones both companies sell.

I recommend to all Niken haters to ride in the rain in the mountain corners. If they ride their two wheel bikes with the same speed, lean and confidence, I will be the first to sign a petition to kill everything with three wheels.

Amen!

The myth is waiting to be refuted: short and to the point - if you haven’t tried it, don’t say so! Perhaps this motorcycle will not be accepted into the market - we will find out in a few years. On the other hand, talking about its uselessness without a test drive is like talking about expeditions into space after visiting a village museum.

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Should I buy it for myself? It's clear that to ride faster you need to buy faster bikes, and the added weight and complexity of the design can create problems. But if I lived in an area where the weather is often bad, I would definitely consider buying a Yamaha Niken GT.

Kudos to Yamaha for pushing the boundaries of motorcycle transportation, and while we don't know if this design will continue to evolve, we can be sure that bikes like the Niken are influencing the way we think about motorcycle comfort and safety.

Get the most out of your Yamaha Niken GT

The next day the roads were dry and I tried to get the most out of the Yamaha Niken GT to see if its unusual front suspension had any limitations. For most situations, the answer is a clear “No.” Of course, in the right hands, it’s very easy to force the Yamaha Niken GT to hit the kickstand, but it’s simply not worth forgetting that you’re riding a 260-kilogram motorcycle and pushing it harder. At the same time, keep in mind that not many sports tourists will easily overtake Niken.

Yamaha Niken GT engine

And now it's time to talk about the 893 cc three-cylinder engine, which is essentially the same as in the MT-09/Tracer 900 GT, with an 18 percent increased crankshaft weight for improved handling, a shorter final gear thanks to an additional two teeth on the rear sprocket , and stronger transmission material to support the increased weight. A larger engine is not needed here: the Yamaha Niken GT accelerates at an almost incredible speed for a 900 cc engine, while the throttle response is smooth and comfortable. The standard quickshifter works great even at low revs (though it doesn't engage below 4000 to prevent unnecessary strain on the gearbox), and the same Y-CCT system found on its MT-09/Tracer 900GT siblings provides three modes of engine response and two modes of traction control (plus it can be turned off completely), as well as cruise control.

Accessories

The tall windshield provides good wind protection for someone of my height (I'm 170cm), and an optional windshield is available for taller riders. The seat passed the 200-mile test with flying colors, and the heated grips are hard to beat in cool weather. Quick-release saddlebags provide good luggage capacity.

Yamaha Niken GT 2019

Prices for renting a Yamaha Tricity motorbike

The prices are still very strange. In Chiang Mai, rent for the day costs 500 baht. Rent per week: 3000 baht. Monthly rent: 5000 baht. And of course a deposit of 5,000 baht.

If someone has already rented Tricity in Phuket or Krabi, please tell us what your prices are for renting this combine.

Currently reading: How I got a Thai visa in Penang. Plus what to see and cheap hotels in Penang

Since the scooter is completely new, when renting it, the owners very meticulously inspect the entire motorbike for scratches. So if you are not yet a very experienced driver, I advise you not to mess with this “fat man” yet; after all, you need to get used to Thai traffic.

Is a motorcycle as wide as a car? Is not cool!

The gadget is great, but... The motorcycle stuck in a traffic jam appeared ten years ago. His name was Kan Am Spider.

If approved, you do not need to take a test drive. All you need are the size charts available on the manufacturer's website. The Yamaha Niken has an overall width of 885mm. A few examples for comparison:

• Can-Am Spyder 1506 mm
• BMW R1200GS 952.5 mm
• Honda Africa Twin AS 930 mm
• Honda Gold Wing 925 mm
• Suzuki V-Strom 650XT 910 mm
• BMW R nine T. 900 mm
• Yamaha SCR950 895 mm
• Yamaha Niken 885 mm
• Yamaha Tracer900 850 mm
• Yamaha MT-09 815 mm
• Suzuki SV650XA 760 mm

It is clear that in terms of overall width, Niken is quite far from Kan-Am. Of course it will never be a typical city bike, but when I look at the number of GS, I get the impression that hardly anyone cares.

Myth busted: there are plenty of wider bikes out there. The Niken, despite having two wheels at the front, maneuvers much better than several other hits from the motorcycle market.

Yamaha Niken GT

Mountain roads are the best way to appreciate the benefits of the unique Yamaha Niken front suspension. Driving along winding serpentines is damn fun, but the condition of the road surface on them always leaves much to be desired: gravel, broken asphalt, potholes, mud, puddles and other joys of mountain roads are quite dangerous, especially when driving at high speed and in turns. Mother Nature prepared another surprise for our team - quite heavy rain, which allowed us to fully appreciate the capabilities of the Yamaha Niken GT.

Yamaha Niken GT 2019

Obviously, the traction of the front tire (or tires) is critical to the control of the motorcycle. If you lose grip in the rear, you can regain control of the situation with traction control or good riding skills. But losing the grip of the front tire (unless you are Marc Marquez) is a surefire way to fall off. Especially on wet surfaces, where there is only one moment between riding and sliding.

Yamaha Niken GT on wet asphalt

And in such conditions, the Yamaha Niken GT performs just fine. On wet, slippery pavement where I'd be forced to sneak around corners at a snail's pace, the Niken GT gave me such confidence and grip that I leaned it like never before. No, I'm not saying that its two front wheels are a guarantee of safety under any road conditions and any actions of the rider, but they make the motorcycle stable enough to feel confident and enjoy the ride instead of fear. And this confidence does not come out of nowhere: it’s all about the safety that the additional contact patch provides. And even when I went a little over the line and tore off the front end, this stall was quite weak and controlled, that is, I felt it, but remained in control and calm, not at all like it would have been with one front wheel.

Broken asphalt and small debris on the road are another danger that the Yamaha Niken GT copes with effortlessly. Due to the fact that the suspension of each wheel works independently of the second, when one wheel handles a bump, the second maintains traction and trajectory, so you simply don’t feel most bumps, even when turning.

By the way, about turns: the Yamaha Niken GT handles with the eagerness of, if not a sports, then a good sports-touring motorcycle, and it performs trail breaking in turns with ease, and its brakes are powerful and predictable.

Yamaha Niken GT 2019

Such designs are the end for two-wheelers

You don't have to be Sherlock to notice that Niken isn't on two wheels. It would seem that the development of such designs would kill the motorcycles that we have known for more than a hundred years. However, I got the impression, bordering on certainty, that this was simply an attempt to attract those who had not thought about a motorcycle at all.

Secondly, it is for those who are afraid to switch to a “large” cubic capacity due to fear of their skills. The third group are fans of crazy designs. Just add a compressor to the Niken, and many will surely love it for its drifting properties!

Myth busted: two-wheeled bikes will last forever. Niken should open up a new path for Yamaha, not kill something that has been in development for years.