If you’ve already fallen down the Yamaha Niken GT rabbit hole (or you’re just here for the specs), this is your comprehensive technical reference. Everything from the LMW system details to the 2023 “Revolution Reloaded” updates to the specs that matter.
New to Nikens? Start with our introduction first – this page assumes you already know what makes these three-wheeled beasts special.
Table of Contents
The LMW System: How It Actually Works
Yamaha’s Leaning Multi-Wheel system isn’t just “add another wheel and hope for the best.” It’s legitimately clever engineering.
Here’s what’s happening: Both front wheels steer and lean in perfect unison. When you’re riding, it genuinely feels like a traditional motorcycle – you can easily forget you’ve got two wheels up front until you hit your first wet corner and realize you’re carrying way more speed than you’d dare on a regular bike.
Those 15-inch front wheels give you roughly 80% more front-end contact patch than a conventional motorcycle. That’s not marketing fluff – that’s actual grip you can feel when you’re pushing through corners or navigating sketchy surfaces.
The suspension setup: Unlike traditional motorcycles, the Niken has two forks per front wheel. The forward ones contain the actual shock absorbers, while the rear ones act as stabilizers – preventing the wheels from shaking independently (think damaged shopping cart wheel, but the opposite of that).
Watch the LMW system in action (video from Yamaha Motor USA):
CP3 Engine: Why This Motor Matters
Yamaha didn’t design a new engine just for the Niken – they borrowed their beloved CP3 triple-cylinder from the MT-09. And that’s actually smart, because this motor has a reputation.
Original 2018-2022: 847cc
The first Niken came with 847cc of smooth, linear power:
- Power: ~115bhp (85kW / 116PS @ 10,000rpm)
- Torque: ~64.5 lb-ft @ 7,000rpm
- Liquid-cooled, inline three-cylinder
- Known for predictable, enjoyable power delivery
If you’ve never heard a triple-cylinder engine, you’re missing out. It’s not the thump of a twin or the scream of an inline-four – it’s this perfect middle ground that just sounds right.
2023+ Update: 890cc
For the final refresh, Yamaha bumped displacement to 890cc (888cc technically) by lengthening the cylinder stroke. They also added an 8% heavier crankshaft for better engine braking.
Result: More low-end grunt for faster acceleration off the line – exactly what original Niken reviewers had requested.
2023 “Revolution Reloaded” Updates
April 2024, Yamaha killed off the Niken. But just before that heartbreak, they’d given it the most comprehensive update since launch. Here’s what changed:
Major Updates
1. New 890cc Engine Already covered above, but worth repeating: bigger displacement, heavier crank, better low-end power.
2. 7″ Color TFT Display Finally! The original LCD instrument panel always felt cheap for a premium sport-tourer. The 2023 model got a gorgeous high-resolution TFT with customizable themes.
Check out this quick video of the display from XavZik’ & OnOffroad (France): [Video embed]
3. Bi-Directional Quick Shifter Original Niken could only shift up without the clutch. 2023 version shifts both up and down – huge quality of life improvement.
4. Hard Panniers The original semi-hard panniers with zips were… not great in heavy rain. 2023 brought proper hard cases with key locks that can fit full-size helmets.
5. Adjustable Windscreen Now adjusts 70mm up/down for better airflow control depending on your height and preference.
Here’s MOTOBOB (UK) demonstrating the windscreen adjustment: (Full review on the Videos page)
Other Notable Changes
- Updated seat: Narrowed and lowered 10mm (to 825mm) for easier ground reach
- Revised frame: Tilts 5 degrees more forward to accommodate new engine
- Ride-by-wire throttle: Part of Euro 5 Regulations compliance, offers more precise control
- Updated controls: New joystick-style toggle for navigating TFT menus
- Revised traction control: Not visually obvious but technically improved
- Rear suspension tweaks: More compliant for both solo and two-up riding
- USB power: Replaced old 12V cigarette lighter socket
Yamaha’s response to feedback: Most of these updates directly addressed criticisms of the original Niken. Then they discontinued it. Classic Yamaha.
Complete 2023 Niken GT Specifications
Engine
SpecValueType4-stroke, Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valves, 3-cylinder, EURO5Displacement890ccBore x Stroke78.0 × 62.1 mmCompression Ratio11.5:1Maximum Power84.5 kW (114.9PS) @ 10,000rpmMaximum Torque90.7 Nm (9.2 kgf·m) @ 7,000rpmFuel SystemFuel InjectionTransmission6-speed constant meshFinal DriveChain
Chassis & Dimensions
SpecValueFrameDiamondOverall Length2,150mmOverall Width875mmOverall Height1,395mm to 1,430mm (adjustable screen)Wheelbase1,510mmSeat Height825mmGround Clearance150mmWet Weight270kg (including full oil and fuel)Fuel Capacity18L (4.0 gal)
Suspension & Brakes
SpecValueFront SuspensionTelescopic fork (fully adjustable)Rear SuspensionSwingarm with preload remote adjusterFront Travel110mmRear Travel125mmFront BrakeDual 298mm discsRear BrakeSingle 282mm disc
Tyres
PositionSizeFront120/70R15M/C 56V TubelessRear190/55R17M/C 75V TubelessTrack (front wheel spacing)410mm
Performance
- Fuel Consumption: 5.8L/100km (17.2 km/L / 40.56 mpg)
- CO2 Emission: 135g/km
- Estimated Range: ~310km
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Niken stand up on its own? No. Despite having two front wheels, it still needs to be supported like any other motorcycle.
Do I need a motorcycle license? Yes. The Niken is a full-size, large-capacity motorcycle requiring a proper bike license.
Can I ride it on a car license? No.
Is it considered a trike? Not really. Trikes typically have two wheels at the back or much wider spacing between front wheels. The Niken’s front wheels are close enough together that it’s legally classified as a motorcycle in most jurisdictions.
Can I ride it on a three-wheeler license? No. Because the distance between the two front wheels is relatively small, the Niken is considered a motorcycle, not a three-wheeler.
Is it designed for disabled riders? Not specifically. You still need to be able to put your feet down to support the bike when stationary, just like any motorcycle.
Why four shocks at the front? The outermost shock on each front wheel is the actual suspension. The inner “shock” is a stabilizer that keeps the wheels aligned and prevents them from shaking independently.
Is the Niken still in production? Unfortunately, no. Yamaha discontinued production in April 2024. You can still find them in some markets until existing stock runs out, and there’s always the secondhand market.
How big is the fuel tank? 18 litres (4 gallons).
What’s the fuel economy? 17.2 km/L or about 40.56 mpg, giving you roughly 310km range.
Do you have the user manual? Yes, Niken GT 2019 User Manual
Niken Shenanigans
Because sometimes you just need to see what this thing can do.
Can you drift the Niken?
Yes. Here’s Motorcyclist Magazine proving it:
Can you wheelie the Niken?
Also yes. Same source:
Can you go off-road?
The Niken isn’t an adventure bike, but it handles light off-road better than you’d expect. Here’s MotoBasic (Japan) demonstrating:
Want more videos? Check out our curated Niken GT Videos page with hours of reviews, tests, and owner experiences.
Why I Still Want One (Personal Take)
After all this research, all these specs, all those videos – here’s why the Niken GT still matters to me:
Fresh experience: I’ve done traditional two-wheeled bikes. I’m not trying to relive my 20s – I want something genuinely different.
Practical for my situation: As a farmer and English teacher in Japan, I sometimes navigate forest tracks to reach work sites. That extra front-end stability isn’t just a gimmick – it’s genuinely useful for my actual life.
Community connection: The Niken attracts curiosity. People stop to ask questions. It’s a conversation starter that helps me practice Japanese and connect with my community.
Touring capability: Those hard panniers, heated grips, adjustable screen, cruise control – this isn’t a toy, it’s a legitimate touring machine that happens to have an extra wheel.
It’s discontinued: Which somehow makes me want it more. Yamaha built something genuinely innovative, updated it to perfection in 2023, then killed it. These bikes will become increasingly rare.
And look – if circumstances change and I end up back in the UK helping my Dad, I’ve been keeping in touch with dealers there. A used Niken GT might finally shift from “obsession” to “reality.”
Public Reception: The Reality
Here’s the honest truth about how the world responded to this bike:
👍 Owners love it: Those who actually bought Nikens overwhelmingly say it’s the best bike they’ve ever owned
👍 Riders enjoy it: Test ride reviews consistently praise how fun it is to ride
👎 It’s expensive: £16,000+ new wasn’t an easy sell
😐 It’s big and heavy: 270kg wet weight means you need strength to maneuver it off the bike
🙄 Stigma exists: Some people genuinely believe three-wheelers are for “old/weak/disabled” riders and won’t even consider one
❤️ Perfect for free-thinkers: The Niken GT appeals to a select few who don’t care about conventional opinions
Bottom line: Most negative opinions come from people who’ve never ridden one. Most positive opinions come from actual owners. That tells you something.
Market Reality: Who Is This Bike For?
Positioned as a revolutionary sport-touring machine, the Niken GT appeals to riders seeking:
- The thrill of motorcycling with enhanced safety margins
- Something genuinely different from every other bike on the road
- Practical touring capability with innovative technology
- A conversation piece that performs
You should test ride one before forming an opinion. Online critics and actual owners have wildly different perspectives for a reason.
The Discontinuation
April 21, 2024.
That’s the day Yamaha broke a lot of hearts (including mine). After giving the Niken its best update ever in 2023, Yamaha announced they were killing it off.
The timing was brutal: Fresh from “Revolution Reloaded,” with all the updates owners had requested, Yamaha simply said: “Thanks for playing, we’re done.”
I found out through this Japanese Yamaha dealer’s YouTube channel: [Video embed – Japan]
What happens now?
- Production has stopped
- Remaining stock will sell out
- Secondhand market becomes the only option
- These bikes will likely appreciate as they become rare
Maybe someday Yamaha will revive the LMW platform. For now, the Niken GT remains a fascinating footnote in motorcycle history – a genuinely innovative machine that never got the recognition it deserved.
Meet the Developers
Want to see the team who actually built this thing? Young-machine.com interviewed the Niken developers back in 2018 (in Japanese):
ヤマハNIKEN（ナイケン）を作った熱き男たち【開発者インタビュー】
The passion these engineers had for creating something genuinely different deserves respect, even if the market didn’t fully embrace their vision.
How to Pronounce “Niken”
Since people constantly get this wrong:
Niken comes from Japanese:
- Ni (二) = “two”
- Ken (剣) = “sword” or “blade”
Pronunciation: Even Japanese Yamaha salespeople say it like “nye-kun” (rhymes with “why fun”), not “knee-ken.”
So it’s pronounced exactly as spelled: Niken. Not Nikken. Not Nee-ken. Just Niken.
Contributing to This Resource
Got a Niken? Ridden one? Have opinions, photos, or experiences to share?
This site exists to be a community resource, not just my personal soapbox. If you want to contribute content, share your journey, or correct something I’ve gotten wrong, get in touch.
Whatever bike you ride, you’re welcome here at NikenPeeps.
Final Thoughts
The Yamaha Niken GT represents a genuinely bold experiment in motorcycle design. Yamaha asked “what if we gave riders significantly more front-end grip?” and actually followed through with proper engineering.
The result wasn’t perfect – it’s expensive, heavy, and polarizing. But it’s also genuinely innovative, surprisingly practical, and undeniably fun.
For those of us who fell for this weird three-wheeled beast, the discontinuation stings. But the bike itself? Still brilliant. Still available secondhand. Still worth considering if you want something truly different.
New to Nikens? Start with our introduction for the big picture.
Ready to dive deeper? Check out our detailed posts on the LMW system and CP3 engine.
Just want to watch videos? Head to our Niken GT Videos page for hours of reviews and tests.
