When Three Wheels Are Better Than Two

Let us introduce you to Yamaha's 2023 Niken GT: the advanced, daring, and much-discussed three-wheel production motorcycle that receives major updates this year

- Adam Child 'Chad

THE 890-CC TRIPLE, IN TERMS OF wheels as well as cylinders, was first revealed to the public (with an 847-cc CP3 engine) in 2017 and, frankly, some jaws are still on the floor today. Astonished lookers-on simply did not know what to make of the thing.

It certainly was not for car drivers to ride without a motorcycle licence as the front wheel track is too narrow and the bike will still fall over if you let go of it. Instead, Yamaha stated they basically wanted to give more front-end feel to a premium sports tourer. Just as in climbing, where holding on to the wall with two hands is better than just one, with two wheels at the front there is more grip and less chance of losing the front.

The more open-minded were intrigued. I first rode a Niken in 2018 and have subsequently covered many miles on the threewheeler, including touring Scotland. I like the grip and stability of the unique Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW) front end, which allows you to get away with murder. But there were niggles: particularly a soft rear end, a small non-adjustable screen, and, by modern standards, a general want of premium specification and technology.

For 2023, Yamaha have given the Niken a new lease of life by addressing some of those flaws and also added a few quality touches we were not expecting.

Although it looks much like the older bike, there are significant changes. The 2023 model receives the new SP3 890cc motor, up 43 cc, and now produces 114.9 hp at 10,000 rpm and 90.7 Nm at 7,000 rpm. There is a new steel and aluminium hybrid frame and Yamaha have improved and re-designed the rear suspension, too.