maximNikenGT

Special ask for Niken owners who reside  in  Countries outside of the  United States  please - need some help looking up local regulatory authorities in your country who handles motorcycle recalls to see whether they show numbers of Nikens impacted in your country to help with worldwide country estimates please.  Not only do I not know which local authority would handle your country's local motorcycle recalls, but also need this help with non-English countries due to language translation challenges. 

General tips for recall look ups: some  countries search by make and model ex. Yamaha Niken, while some go by product code ex. MTX850J, while others go by actual VIN. I've encountered one country (Canada) that actually listed the model name incorrectly (NIKKEN) so I'm sure not all searches will actually pull up correctly for their motorcycles. 

Updating world totals  with first Greek  confirmation and Hong Kong specific re-estimated. 

2018 Nikens =1532,

2019 Nikens=1553, and

2020 Nikens =2258

2023 Nikens = 539

2024 Nikens = No data to rate (as of May 2,  2024)

Still no serial numbers confirmed for 2021-2024 Nikens. Current estimated worldwide total of 5882!

Country representation so far includes:

Australia (55 as of March 29, 2021, recall data)

Canada: Vancouver (1 confirmed in March 2024). Toronto, Quebec

China (estimated at 23-24)

Czechoslovakia

France

Greece (3 confirmed but estimated at 20)

Hong Kong (11/30/23 re-estimated at ~5-10),

Hungary (1),

Ireland (Republic of Ireland)

Italy (estimated at <120),

Israel,

Japan = 537 as of November 2020, recall data)

New Zealand (estimated at 14)

Philippines (1)

Portugal

Serbia

Scotland (6) as of informal poll via Facebook Niken forum (May 2, 2024)

South Africa (1 2019 non-GT, #38)

Spain

Sweden (1)

Switzerland (1)

Taiwan

Thailand (estimated at 10)

Turkey

UK (England/NorthernIreland/Scotland/Wales = 302, as of December 8,2020, recall data).

US 280 (all model year 2019, recall data)

On 11/9/2023 at 7:06 PM, Heli ATP said:

I learned today that 'Yamaha Trail TMW' refers to a new version of the TW200 that will have the Leaning Multi Wheel geometry up front.

At first I thought it might be worth trading in my Kawasaki dirt bike for but then I saw the pics.

Still, could be ideal to get to you favorite fishing/hunting spot, and no side stand.

Tricity and TW Combined

https://global.yamaha-motor.com/showroom/event/japan-mobilityshow-2023/tmw/

 

I could see this doing lifeguard duties at the beach. 

Reposting from another thread - anyone attempted using LED cornering lights from a FJ1300 or Tracer 9 GT into the Niken? I know Yamaha has the tech - just not sure how hard it would be to make it work with the Niken or if the front end cowling will even fit the new cornering lights or if the IMU will even work correctly with an LED from another Yamaha model.

Anyone attempted using LED cornering lights from a FJ1300 or Tracer 9 GT into the Niken? I know Yamaha has the tech - just not sure how hard it would be to make it work with the Niken or if the front end cowling will even fit the new cornering lights or if the IMU will even work correctly with an LED from another Yamaha model

Stumbled across this reference to future  Yamaha machines at the Japan Mobility Show (formerly Tokyo Auto Show) and noticed  a reference to a 'trail LMW' (Leaking Multi Wheel). 

Potentially an off-road/rally version of the Niken?

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/10/yamahas-tricera-is-a-morgan-super-3-for-2033/amp/

Anyone go to this year's Japan Mobility Show and have pictures of what this is potentially referring to?

Video of Nikens being manufactured and assembled off the factory production line by the fine teams in Iwata, Japan. Arigato!

And of course the Niken wouldn't be possible without the fine men and women at the Yamaha factory out of Iwata, Japan.

Video of Nikens being built and assembled off the lines of Iwata in addition to other Yamaha motorcycle models.  

This is the best video that illustrates the self balancing capabilities of the Motoroid 2. 

https://global.yamaha-motor.com/design_technology/design/concept/motoroid/#:~:text=center of gravity.-,click,-here if the

Found this direct from Yamaha Global.  Apparently the upper cowling uses A.I. (Artificial intelligence) to read and interpret rider gestures and motions.

https://global.yamaha-motor.com/design_technology/design/concept/motoroid/

New Atlas article with additional photos. 

https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/yamaha-motoroid-2/

This just in - Yamaha unveiled a new version of a self balancing motorcycle. 

Could be important if Yamaha ever decided to put the self balancing tech in the huge cowling of the Niken to make motorcycling more accessible to the masses.

https://electrek.co/2023/10/11/yamaha-motoroid-2-self-balancing-electric-motorcycle/

I would submit to the forum that this  guy licensed Yamaha tech for his Batcycle.  

If it's good enough for Batman...

I actually cargo net the hydration pack in an insulated sleeve down on top of the pillion/passenger seat and then reach for the long sip tube as needed. When I wore my Aerostich suit I was able to route the sip tube through my helmet carabiner to keep the sip tube nearby and take sips while on the go. This no longer works for the Hit-Air jacket since there's not really a similar spot near the upper chest to attach a small carabiner clip to.

This is to:

a. as you surmised, minimize airbag jacket interference in the event of dismount and

b. Reduce long distance fatigue by reducing any additional weight on the body. 

Fuel tank on the Niken is not that big so usually when I stop for refueling I'll take additional water during the break. 

20 hours ago, TomNorden901 said:

Hi maximNikenGT,

Thanks for doing such an excellent and extensive revue of the Motorrad 2 Mesh jacket. It's very helpful. 

How are you finding the jacket on warm days? I read your comments for days around 26 C, but have you had any days north of 30 degrees C yet? 

I'm looking at buying the mesh jacket. I already have the winter jacket and love it. But it's going to be too hot for summer in Australia.

Best Regards,

Tom

Hey TomNorden901,

I've ridden with the jacket in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C / 86 degrees F and I absolutely prefer this Hit-Air jacket paired with my Richa vented summer pants over my Aerostich R3 Lite suit which has lots of vents for summertime riding. My only suggestion is that if you're using this jacket in temps exceeding 30 degrees C that you have a minimal windscreen so that you can let all that airflow pass through the mesh jacket to give some additional cooling.

HOWEVER, per another article on heat indexes, generally speaking, once one begins riding in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees C / 95 degrees F, that cooling wind now potentially becomes "cooking" wind, and your body may suffer from having too much "cooking" wind flow through your jacket and heat you up even faster.

Personally speaking, if I am riding in ambient temperatures exceeding 35 degrees F / 95 degrees F:

a. If the ride is about an hour or less, I'd prefer to have the smaller Niken windscreen mounted in ambient temperatures exceeding 35 degrees F / 95 degrees F, to have the cooking wind evaporate my body sweat under the jacket. For shorter rides, the cooking wind is tolerable. 

b. If the ride is longer than an hour, I prefer to have the larger Givi windscreen mounted to reduce the convection oven effects on my body over longer distances. 

In both cases I tend to run a hydration pack filled with ice water to provide additional cooling and take periodic sips as needed. Getting lightheaded/dehydrated/heatstroke while riding your bike is no good. 

And if ambient temperatures are over 38 degrees C / 100 degrees F, I make sure to take more frequent safety stops to cool down in the shade somewhere and rehydrate. Under these circumstances (and barring any forecasted rain) I would absolutely choose the Hit Air mesh over my Aerostich R3 lite. 

One other thing of note while I was writing this is the mention that you ride in Australia (whereas I ride in the Carolinas). We don't have as dusty an environment where I ride in the Carolinas in comparison to some of the more remote desert areas of Australia (closer to the Outback and the interior vs. along the coastal regions e.g. the route leading to the 12 Apostles). I haven't tested how easy the jacket is to clean yet in comparison to my Aerostich suit.  I only mention this because I don't clean my jackets that often, unless I'm reapplying Scotchgard waterproofing or to clean off dead bug splatters / road grime. Based upon a trip to Australia a few years back, Australia's insects/flies generally speaking seem to be way bigger than Carolina insects/flies. On these two conditions I suggest you consider the darker version vs. the white version since I believe it will hide the dirt/dust and bug carcasses better so you can go longer between cleanings. 

On 5/3/2022 at 2:08 PM, Heli ATP said:

I was a big fan of the stock handguards on FJ-09, I liked the transformer look. After seeing the Yamaha handguards available in Japan for the Niken, I thought I would play around with some FJ hand guards I had in the garage. With some tweaking of the brackets they fitted, and I think they perfectly suit the look of the Niken with no contact at full lock.

Dzell knuckle lights added but yet to be wired up when I decide if they will be running or turn signal lights. These will light up orange to match the stock Niken turn signals.

Drive report for vibration, coverage and to see if they block the rear view mirrors to follow.

 

 

Found out from another owner in Japan where about 10 Niken owners there have utilized hand guards from the 2018 Tracers. 

Powerbronze has some for the Niken as well. 

https://www.powerbronze.co.uk/yamaha-niken-18-21-niken-gt-18-21-380-y109.html

Part two of interview translated via Google.  

Interviews with the development team of the NIKEN GT ('23 BFD) are now available , 2 out of 3 interviews in total.
The article is in Japanese, so please use a translation site to read it.
Part 1
https://response.jp/article/2023/08/23/374451.html
Part 2
https://response.jp/article/2023/08/25/374523.html

Mr Hirakawa, the project leader for this project, was in charge of the chassis for the NIKEN (BD5).

Hat tip to Matsumoto Kazuo for posting. 

Decided to start a forum dedicated to sales of Niken specific parts since one does not appear to exist. 

For sale are parts from my 2019 Niken GT (all parts listed below were used less than 2000 miles because I replaced them with other equipment). None of the parts for sale have any damage (e.g. never dropped or scraped). Parts are located in Charlotte, NC, USA. PM me directly if interested. Prices are not inclusive of any shipping or any Paypal fees (buyer must pay for shipping and any Paypal fees if not picking up in person). 

A. OEM Yamaha windshield Part number  B5B2831-00-00. Price: $269 USD

B. OEM Yamaha Windshield Stay, Guide 1 for attaching the windshield to the bike (Part number B5B-2831E-00-00). Price $69

C. OEM Yamaha 1 Soft ABS Saddlebag Kit Part number BD5-F84H0-00 mounted with 1 Reflector Kit per bag Part number BD5-F84BA-V0-00. This kit has two saddlebags total.  ($399 USD)

D. 1 Soft Saddlebag Mount (MSRP $399.99 USD) Part number BD5-F84M0-V0-00. This mount will mount both saddlebags listed in C above. ($299 USD)

Was watching the Fortnine video on using the wrong RPM on my motorcycle:

Got me thinking that I'm generally shifting well under 4500 RPMs.

Looking at what Cycle World's HP vs. Torque chart is for the 2019 Niken GT, that suggests that I should be running up to 8k+ RPMs more often to optimize torque/hp or 10k RPMs to top out my max hp on my Niken. 

https://images.app.goo.gl/Taqnmx92wFBp4L876

In case you all needed additional reason to hop on your bikes to ride...

On 2/4/2023 at 12:08 PM, TomTracer said:

How many of us follow that schedule on cars? Most I'd guess are more anal about our bikes.

I admit that I'm a stickler for maintenance on my car because I keep my cars in excess of 100k+miles. Frequent and regular maintenance prevents much bigger problems further down the line. No such thing as a "lifetime fluid". 

Video of fellow owner performing brake sensor / switch fix. 

Old  friend  from college initially  thought the same thing first time he walked into my garage.

Just bought a portable Flexifreeze portable lunch box / drink cooler  with built in freezeable ice paks to keep my snacks / drinks cool in hot weather.  

FlexiFreeze Freezable 9 Can Cooler https://a.co/d/hiLoUDb

This thing has been awesome for hot day trips. Tossed it into my top case and had a nice cold drink / cold cut sandwich for lunch after a long morning ride. 

Am actually thinking about swapping out my RAM rechargeable  phone mount with the RAM cup holder because the RAM rechargeable phone mount does not have anti vibration built in to prevent mobile phone camera stabilization sensor damage.  May look to switch to Quad Lock or Peak Design cell phone mounts with the anti vibration. Extra points if they also have built in charging capabilities.