Here’s the thing that still makes me angry: the 2023 Niken GT was brilliant.
Yamaha listened to feedback. They upgraded everything. New engine, better electronics, proper hard panniers, a gorgeous TFT display. They called it “Revolution Reloaded” and it wasn’t marketing BS—they genuinely made it better in every meaningful way.
Then they killed it a year later.
If you’re going to discontinue something, you don’t invest in a comprehensive refresh first. You don’t add features people actually asked for. You don’t make it the best version it’s ever been and then pull the plug.
But they did. And now the 2023 model represents both the peak of the Niken concept and proof that even doing everything right doesn’t guarantee survival.
Let’s talk about what made this final version so good.
The Look: Tech Black Actually Works
The 2023 came in Tech Black with bronze frame accents. Sounds fancy, and honestly? It looked fantastic.
The original Niken’s aesthetics were… divisive. The 2023 color scheme made it look more premium, more intentional. The bronze against the deep black gave it a sophisticated edge that the earlier versions lacked.
Still polarizing? Sure. But if you’re going to be weird, at least be confidently weird.
The Heart: 890cc CP3 Engine
Yamaha took their already-excellent 847cc triple and bumped it to 890cc. More displacement, more torque, better low-end punch.
What changed:
- Longer stroke (not wider bore) for stronger torque
- 8% heavier crankshaft for better engine braking
- 5-degree forward tilt in the frame for improved weight distribution
- Full Euro 5 compliance without losing performance
The CP3 was already one of motorcycling’s best engines—characterful, responsive, that distinctive triple growl. Making it bigger and stronger while keeping it clean enough for Euro 5? That’s proper engineering.
And yes, it still sounded amazing.
The Brain: 7-Inch TFT Display
Out went the basic LCD screen. In came a gorgeous 7-inch color TFT that finally made the Niken feel like a premium bike.
Multiple display themes, intuitive menus, excellent visibility in all conditions. You could navigate it with gloves on using the new joystick controller on the left switchgear.
This alone elevated the whole experience. The original Niken’s display looked like it came from 2010. The 2023 looked like it belonged in 2023.
Here’s a quick video clip from XavZik’ & OnOffroad in France.
Below is a close-up video of the same instrument panel on the Yamaha Tracer 9GT+ in Japan. The Tracer 9GT has radar cruise control, while the Niken GT has regular non-radar cruise control.
The Controls: Actually Thought Through
Yamaha redesigned the entire switchgear layout:
- New joystick for display navigation
- Better cruise control buttons with improved feedback
- Intuitive layout that made sense
Small details? Yes. But small details matter when you’re spending hours in the saddle.
Quick Shifter: Now Bidirectional
The original had clutchless upshifts. The 2023 added clutchless downshifts too.
Sounds minor. Isn’t. A proper bidirectional quick shifter transforms the riding experience—smoother, faster, more engaging whether you’re touring or attacking a canyon road.
Ride-by-Wire Throttle
Electronic throttle replaced the cable system. This enabled:
- More precise control
- Better integration with traction control
- Smoother power delivery
- Euro 5 compliance
Throttle image via Stirlings Powersports 
Some people hate ride-by-wire. I get it—there’s something pure about a cable connecting your wrist directly to the engine. But done well (and Yamaha has experience with this), it’s better. More responsive, more controllable, especially in tricky conditions.
Revised Suspension & Adjustable Screen
Updated rear suspension with forged aluminum linkage, revised spring rates, and—crucially—a remote preload adjuster. Easier to dial in whether you’re solo or two-up with luggage.
The windscreen gained 70mm of tool-free adjustment. Sounds boring. Isn’t. Being able to adjust wind protection on the fly is the difference between a comfortable day and a miserable one.
Hard Panniers: Finally
This was huge. The original’s semi-soft bags were functional but limited. The 2023 got proper hard cases:
- Fully waterproof
- Lockable
- Big enough for a full-face helmet in each side
- Quick-release system
- Color-matched to the bike
People asked for this from day one. Yamaha delivered. Too late to save the bike commercially, but they delivered.
USB Power Instead of 12V Socket
Out with the cigarette lighter socket. In with a proper USB port.
Because it’s 2023 (was 2023), and nobody plugs a cigarette lighter into their bike anymore. We plug phones, GPS units, heated gear controllers. USB makes sense.
Small change. Appreciated daily.
Lower, Narrower Seat
10mm lower (now 825mm). Narrower profile for better ground reach. Still comfortable for long distances.
The original Niken intimidated some riders with its height and bulk. The 2023 made it slightly more accessible without compromising touring comfort.
The Cruel Irony
So there you have it: the 2023 Niken GT addressed nearly every criticism of the original. Better tech, better ergonomics, better touring features, more powerful engine.
Yamaha did the work. They listened. They improved.
And then they discontinued it.
That’s what makes the 2023 model both the best Niken ever made and the saddest. It proved the concept could work—could be refined into something truly special. Then proved it wasn’t enough.
If you find a 2023 model for sale, you’re looking at the pinnacle of Yamaha’s three-wheeled experiment. The final evolution. The version that got everything right.
And the last one they’ll ever make.
Did you ride a 2023 model? Notice the improvements over the original? Still hunting for one? Let me know in the comments.
