[Webike Motoreport] Yamaha NIKEN Test ride.

Hi, this is Kenny Sagawa, I'm a motorcycle Journalist.
This time, I will introduce you Yamaha's new model "Niken".

Niken has LMW (Leaning-Multi-Wheel) system that turns while tilting.
LMW is a wheel control system for vehicles with three or more wheels."
Until now these types are sold as Tricity 125, 155, and this is going to be the first big motorcycle.
It will be the first test ride in Japan.
Although it was rainy condition, it was rather a condition that could know the goodness of Niken very well.
The greatest benefit is the mechanism of 2 wheels in the front.
The steering system called "LMW Ackermann steering geometry" is well made.
I can easily turn corner with angle that I may fall down if I ride with two wheels.
I've never felt this kind of strange feeling.
There is a big system around the front, so it is solid and has a sense of stability.
However, front side has feeling of heavy and sense of inertia.

This motorcycle is assembled base on MT-09.
The engine is based on parallel three cylinders of MT - 09 of less than 900 cc. CP3 increases the low and medium speed torque by increasing the crank mass.
It is set for Niken.
The rear part of the motorcycle is similar to MT-09. I could turn the corner with the same feeling as a normal 2 wheels motorcycle.

In rainy condition, the rear part slips once I open the throttle, then the traction control works.
Even in that situation, the front part did not move at all.
Even when the rear part slipped, and then traction control worked and recovered as if there was nothing happened.
"I felt that the merits of this motorcycle are the stability of the front, and the recovery when the rear part slipped.
"
These wheels brave the wet conditions, and contact to the road constantly.
I think all the riders may have the sense for what that I can not lean the motorcycle down deep in the rain.
In theory, this motorcycle is able to lean up to 45 degrees on the steering mechanism.
Although it wasn't 45 degrees, I could bank it quite deeply in the rain.

Let's straddle.
My feet can touch the ground easily.
It feels like a heavyweight motorcycle.
It is about the same as heavyweight Big Bike. The weight is about 260 kg.
The steering angle is good enough.
I can walk this motorcycle with no problem.
Because the shape of the tank is narrowed down the width of its body, the riding position comes natural.
The handle position is same as the upright ordinary naked bikes.
The difference is biaxial steering.
Therefore, the front wheels are a little bit offset to the forward .
The center axis of the steering and the front wheels are offset by about 120 mm.
Therefore, it feels that the front wheels are far away from my body.
"However, since the handlebar is close to my body, there is no problem with the riding position.
"
Because the front side of this motorcycle is heavy, it is designed to make the front and rear distribution 50:50 by making the seat position behind.
I am going to talk about LMW Ackermann steering geometry.
Ackerman is a classic car steering system.
The turning radius of the inner wheel and the outer wheel change when I turn the steering.

At that time, Ackerman system helps turning around the corner easily by turning the inner wheel inward.
Although it keeps parallel in the upright position, the inner wheel will lean sharply when you turn the handle and lean the motorcycle.
"Since Niken is a motorcycle, its behavior differs from when LMW is installed in a car.
The motorcycle will lean at the corner (car can't lean.) "
When it leans like this, both left and right front wheels will toe out to get open.
In order to solve the problem, an offset joint has been installed in here.
Although this motorcycle has long wheelbase, I was able to make a small turn at low speed.
Besides, it showed the cornering ability even in the high speed.
It is a special structure with front two wheels, but it was a natural ride.

To wrap it up, although I couldn't know all of the performance in this condition, I could feel secure and stability for this model that I've never felt with any other motorcycle.
Pitching motion was also few, there was a sense of stability like a car.
I thought that this model may be able to reduce of fatigue feeling, then enjoy riding at the time of high-speed or long distance even more.
By all means, I'd like to ride with another time such as touring etc.


You can shop the NAIKEN's parts from below URL
https://japan.webike.net/YAMAHA/NIKEN...