Old Fat Guy
-
Posts
3 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Recent Profile Visitors
Old Fat Guy's Achievements
8
Reputation
-
In the 20 years and 200K miles I had the GL1800 I'd GUESS I've dropped it ~ a dozen times? for a variety of reasons ranging from rider error when making a tight parking lot turn to finding the dirt road I'm on deteriorating into baby head stones heading uphill (this was riding 2 up with luggage on a mountain pass in Switzerland) to making a panic stop and swerve to avoid a car that ran a STOP sign. And sometimes we do some "dual sport" type backroads or tow our tandem MTB behind. The GL1800 also is about 1.5" higher than stock because it has Tranxxion Dynamics Racing suspension which, amoung other things, raise the bike so it has more ground clearance for corning - but this makes it a little harder to get your foot down and to pick it up after tipping over.
-
I appreciate both of your responses. The Niken seems to be quite a bike! I uderstand that it is MUCH lighter than my wing and thus much easier to pick up. The thing I'm curious about is whether the double front forks/wheels act or are configured in such a way that they make lifting it MORE difficult or LESS difficult than a similar bike of the same total weight with a conventional front end. I'm thinking that, depending on how the forks are place on a dropped bike could help or hinder lifting it. IF the down side for is compressed it would seem that @ 45 degrees and higher it MIGHT be less difficult??? OR IF the down side is extended if would be harder to lift??? OR maybe the system somehow assists in the lifting process??? THANKS!
-
I just joined today because I very interested in the Niken. I'm a 77 year old experience road and dirt rider that is looking to downsize from my GL1800A and the Niken look INTERESTING! I'm in fairly good shape for an OLD guy but struggle to pick up the GL1800 if I drop it. One question I haven't seen seen asked or answered is: Is the Niken harder/easier/same difficulty to pick up once dropped compared to a "standard" sport tourning bike of the same size/weight? Thanks for any help :>)
-
I JUST signed up because I'm interested in the Niken and it looks like this may be the place to learn more about one before deciding on a purchase. I'm 77 and an experienced touring and off-road rider. My current street bike is a 2001 GL1800A with a "Full Montey" Tranxion Dynamics set up with about 200K miles - most of which were put on before 2010 when I mostly quit street riding (because my Sweetheart/wife passenger lost interest). At that point I resumed serious off-road riding on mostly KTMs. I'm in northern Maryland USA - near DC and just south of PA.
If ANYONE can direct me on how to better use this forum or where to look for Niken info I'd appreciate it.
One question I haven't yet seen addressed in the several Niken threads I've check is - Is the Niken and harder or easier to pick up if you drop it than a similar size/weight conventional sport touring bike. I'm in fairly good shape for a 77 year old, but struggle to lift my Goldwing if dropped and thus am looking a lighter touring bikes that still have some of the comforts and wind protection that OLD folks like :>)
THANKS for any help!
-
Welcome! We seem to be getting more Niken owners and interest here recently, so hopefully you can pick up some helpful information.
If you haven’t found it yet, there is a Niken specific sub-forum here on the broader Tracer/FJ board. Take a look around and feel free to post questions in those forums... it’s a friendly group around here.
https://www.tracer900.net/forum/49-yamaha-niken-forum/
-Scott
-
