justplainbill

I recall the introduction of the Piaggio MP3 500 in 2008. Pretty amazing scooter - leaning reverse trike, top speed around 95 mph and fun to ride. The moto-press gushed over the stability of a three wheeler in corners and did videos showing capable riders shredding Mulholland Highway twisties. I was on eBay a lot then, buying and selling VMax/Venture parts and started seeing wrecked MP3 500's and parts showing up there. Anecdotal I know, but with Yamaha promoting the Niken as a cornering monster and most riders not being as skilled as they would like to believe they are, Yamaha might want to dump the white clad riding robot they use for videos and let some regular riders get seat time on the Niken to see how they fare. When I see an out of shape, fat ass over 60 year old cranked over 45 degree on a Niken at a race track, I might get out my checkbook and make the plunge.

From your lips to God's ear on the $12.5-13K price Norcal616. But I expect that because Austria is part of the EU and England has not fully gotten exited from it, Austrian bikes don't pay the same (if any) VAT that Japanese motorcycle manufacturers do when importing to England and other EU nations. Plus shipping cost from Austria to UK are lower than to the USA. I was hoping for around 525 lbs. dry weight too. We'll have to wait for real world reviews to see if Niken carries it's weight well or not. Maybe, if we raise hell with the dealers, Yamaha will expand it's Demo Days plans to include more small towns next year so more of us can ride the Niken.

Since I don't get to 40, let alone 45 degrees of lean anymore, I hadn't considered that question. At 46 plus degrees, whenever the outboard wheel "lifts" (or quits providing support/traction) will the Niken want to fall inward, straighten out, tighten up the curve or...? It seems like a Niken rider would want to know before finding the answer somewhere on the Tail of the Dragon.

The Bike Market posted all the known specs for the Niken, and some new information I've been waiting for. I couldn't find a publication date, but the video from Motorcyclist Magazine is embedded in the article, so it's within the last week or so and might actually be based on more than wishful thinking. This is the link: https://www.thebikemarket.co.uk/yamaha/niken One thing I've been looking forward to knowing is the weight of the Niken, said to be 263 Kg (579 lbs.) which is more than I expected and somewhat disheartening. After riding the FJ-09, it's going to feel like you have a passenger riding pillion in the twisties. But at least you wont have helmets knocking together. Second item, the price. Bike Market estimates the Niken RRP (recommended retail price) at 11,000 British Pounds (14,900 USD). Unfortunately, that isn't much help for American prospective buyers because there are significant difference in import taxes, shipping costs and other factors between the UK and USA. However, $15,000 USD may not be far off. Using the increase in cost between the RRP for MT-09 (7800 BP) and the estimate for Niken at 11000 BP = 141% and multiplying that increase by the US MSRP ($10,700 USD) it comes out $15,087. That seems about right... if it all comes together and the Niken is as good as they'd have us believe. Since cornering ABS provides increased stability and safety using lightweight sensors and an IMU (inertial measurement unit) feeding bike attitude data to the computer, without a second front wheel and complex steering mechanism, I'm looking forward to a handling/safety comparison between the Niken and any similar size motorcycle equipped with cornering ABS. Giving away nearly 200 pounds to something like the new KTM 790 Duke (385# claimed) which has 104 HP and cornering ABS seems an insurmountable disadvantage. Not to mention that KTM says the 790 Duke will come to market priced under $10,000 (I don't believe it, but that's the claim) the Niken will be facing some stiff competition.

Worrying about someone copying a "beak" is pointless. The first beak I recall was the front fender on the 1968-69 Bultaco 360 El Bandito which was attached to the triple clamp, under where a headlight would be if the Bandito had one. And it seems, Suzuki copied the Bultaco beak (though not as a fender) on a 1980's Dakar racer. I guess BMW copied the Suzuki beak for the GS series. As they say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Incidentally, complaints about Powerbronze price for a beak being exorbitant, are spot on. Maier sells a beak extension for 08-12 BMW R1200GS models for $68. I assume Maier did the design and development for the extension. And Maier products are passed through distributors and retailers who take a profit from the transactions, while Powerbronze seems to sell directly to customers - which makes their pricing all the more egregious.

Iron Pony has a closeout sale of MSR dual sport boots - most sizes and priced at $100 plus shipping. http://www.ironpony.com/ipd/pi.asp/ImageName/msrdlspt.jpg/Brand/MSR/c2/ MSR brand is Malcolm Smith Racing - the same Malcolm Smith who played a big part in definitive moto movie from the 60's - On Any Sunday, and current owner of a Yamaha dealership in Riverside CA.

You want closeout pricing -- this place is named "Motorcycle Closeouts" [span] and probably at one time in the past, specialized in doing that. Now they sell motorcycle stuff, sometimes at closeout prices. I have bought items from them and been pleased with the products and service. I don't know anything about these closeout LS2 brand helmets but if the posted MSRP's are true, they are blowing them out at huge discounts: http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/huge+helmet+blowout+sale/f/brand-503/all?utm_source=MCC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=LS2Helmets50offSale2017&utm_campaign=17March Note that they don't have all models and colors in all sizes. And if you know something about LS2 helmets, let us know.[/span]

Being guided by the "if it don't fit, get a bigger hammer" maxim, my solution was to use a grinder to thin the top 12mm or so of the latch from 8mm by 1.5mm to 6.5mm. That allows the latch to slide into the receiver without binding. It was also necessary to trim the top of the latch on one side so it doesn't jam into the receiver bottom as you lift the handle - which was causing a further binding of the latch. All fixed now. I have a few other photos but they probably aren't needed to illustrate the fix (though they do illustrate the problem).

. I had the same dilemma just two weeks ago; bought the FJ and struggled over whether to sell the '05 FJR with or without the bags. Decided to keep the bags because I tried to sell it last year, asking $4500 and dropping to $4000 without so much as a nibble, I set the price at NADA trade in ($3850) and it sold on craigslist in three days. Now, the weather that weekend was fantastic (no snow, no rain) and I left the aftermarket 31 liter top case and threw in a large tank bag and set of soft saddlebags so my buyer got plenty of storage and was happy. For me, it was a good decision. Check my next posting -- I encountered a minor glitch installing the FJR bags on the FJ that I haven't found mentioned elsewhere on the forum.