Weird Yamaha three-wheeler
Discussion
Whilst I get that there must be some optimum/engineering reason for the wheel placement, that photo really does make it look extremely wide, even compared to a 3-legged 'ped. That must rule it out for a lot of commuting (where the third wheel might be seen as an advantage in bad weather) and who's going to want one for a Sunday hoon?
But I'm not a motor(tri)cycle manufacturer, so they must know what they are doing. Maybe it's no wider than the bars - but I can still think of everyday commuting situations where that front wheel setup would baulk you.
But I'm not a motor(tri)cycle manufacturer, so they must know what they are doing. Maybe it's no wider than the bars - but I can still think of everyday commuting situations where that front wheel setup would baulk you.
It's not a bike I have any desire to own, but it is a bike I would love to have a ride of just to see what it is like.
From what I gather.
It's no wider than the bars on a standard MT09 for example.
It does not stand up on its own when stopped at traffic lights etc.
Front end grip is improved by 80%.
And it's the last part that has really got me wanting to give one a try.
I can only imagine it would be as gigglesome throwing it around and taking the p**s on your favorite roundabout / road / track, as it is the first time you give a litre bike wide open throttle all the way up through gears.
From what I gather.
It's no wider than the bars on a standard MT09 for example.
It does not stand up on its own when stopped at traffic lights etc.
Front end grip is improved by 80%.
And it's the last part that has really got me wanting to give one a try.
I can only imagine it would be as gigglesome throwing it around and taking the p**s on your favorite roundabout / road / track, as it is the first time you give a litre bike wide open throttle all the way up through gears.
airsafari87 said:
It's not a bike I have any desire to own, but it is a bike I would love to have a ride of just to see what it is like.
From what I gather.
It's no wider than the bars on a standard MT09 for example.
It does not stand up on its own when stopped at traffic lights etc.
Front end grip is improved by 80%.
And it's the last part that has really got me wanting to give one a try.
I can only imagine it would be as gigglesome throwing it around and taking the p**s on your favorite roundabout / road / track, as it is the first time you give a litre bike wide open throttle all the way up through gears.
Reviews seem to think it's not a hooligan machine, mainly because you don't have much grip at the rear. So, on loose/slippery surfaces it's great, but for the rest of time, just a compromise. From what I gather.
It's no wider than the bars on a standard MT09 for example.
It does not stand up on its own when stopped at traffic lights etc.
Front end grip is improved by 80%.
And it's the last part that has really got me wanting to give one a try.
I can only imagine it would be as gigglesome throwing it around and taking the p**s on your favorite roundabout / road / track, as it is the first time you give a litre bike wide open throttle all the way up through gears.
I don't see the point, but I haven't ridden one either.
I 100% would have bought one of these if it fell into the tricycle category like the Piaggio MP3 LT's, meaning you can ride it on a full car license if you're over 21. No motorcycle license required.
The Niken however unfortunately has a front track of 410mm meaning it's categorised as one 'twinned' front wheel and ultimately needs a motorcycle license to ride one. To be classed as a tricycle the distance between the centre lines of the two front wheels needs to be 460mm+.
Hopefully they'll release a wider tracked model (or spacer kit?) to widen it's market and appeal.
The Niken however unfortunately has a front track of 410mm meaning it's categorised as one 'twinned' front wheel and ultimately needs a motorcycle license to ride one. To be classed as a tricycle the distance between the centre lines of the two front wheels needs to be 460mm+.
Hopefully they'll release a wider tracked model (or spacer kit?) to widen it's market and appeal.
yajeed said:
airsafari87 said:
It's not a bike I have any desire to own, but it is a bike I would love to have a ride of just to see what it is like.
From what I gather.
It's no wider than the bars on a standard MT09 for example.
It does not stand up on its own when stopped at traffic lights etc.
Front end grip is improved by 80%.
And it's the last part that has really got me wanting to give one a try.
I can only imagine it would be as gigglesome throwing it around and taking the p**s on your favorite roundabout / road / track, as it is the first time you give a litre bike wide open throttle all the way up through gears.
Reviews seem to think it's not a hooligan machine, mainly because you don't have much grip at the rear. So, on loose/slippery surfaces it's great, but for the rest of time, just a compromise. From what I gather.
It's no wider than the bars on a standard MT09 for example.
It does not stand up on its own when stopped at traffic lights etc.
Front end grip is improved by 80%.
And it's the last part that has really got me wanting to give one a try.
I can only imagine it would be as gigglesome throwing it around and taking the p**s on your favorite roundabout / road / track, as it is the first time you give a litre bike wide open throttle all the way up through gears.
I don't see the point, but I haven't ridden one either.
I see this a few weeks ago but didn't pay too much attention. It's meant to have a limit to its lean angle due to its design - something like 45 degrees
I not great in this area but isn't there a ruling in the UK atleast that this would technically come under a 3 wheeler like a Robin Reliant so you could use on a car licence or am I missing something?
I not great in this area but isn't there a ruling in the UK atleast that this would technically come under a 3 wheeler like a Robin Reliant so you could use on a car licence or am I missing something?
Birky_41 said:
I see this a few weeks ago but didn't pay too much attention. It's meant to have a limit to its lean angle due to its design - something like 45 degrees
I not great in this area but isn't there a ruling in the UK atleast that this would technically come under a 3 wheeler like a Robin Reliant so you could use on a car licence or am I missing something?
From what I understand, it would need to be able to stay upright unaided in order for it to qualify.I not great in this area but isn't there a ruling in the UK atleast that this would technically come under a 3 wheeler like a Robin Reliant so you could use on a car licence or am I missing something?
Birky_41 said:
I see this a few weeks ago but didn't pay too much attention. It's meant to have a limit to its lean angle due to its design - something like 45 degrees
I not great in this area but isn't there a ruling in the UK atleast that this would technically come under a 3 wheeler like a Robin Reliant so you could use on a car licence or am I missing something?
Its not as simple as "having three wheels", its classed as a motorcycle.I not great in this area but isn't there a ruling in the UK atleast that this would technically come under a 3 wheeler like a Robin Reliant so you could use on a car licence or am I missing something?
mickymellon1 said:
for people who can't ride motorbikes / snowflakes
Is snowflake the new way of describing someone then as it's all I see written these days?The Niken is hardly designed for folk who can't ride motorbikes as it rides exactly like a motorbike and will fall over if you let it (unlike the MP3 scooters)
Its and interesting design, they will sell about 2 of them over here, the French will buy loads of them.
Birky_41 said:
I see this a few weeks ago but didn't pay too much attention. It's meant to have a limit to its lean angle due to its design - something like 45 degrees
One of the reviews did mention the limited lean.Even with a stickler rear, surely that wouldn’t compensate for having effectively twice the contact patch up front?
I’d love to ride one, but can’t really think why I’d buy one in favour of a bike.
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