NikenLee

I have the Scottoiler System X fitted to my Niken. The single sided oil delivery pipe runs in the 'ledge' on the sprocket. Neat and robust.

Delighted to hear, good photos - even a bit of blue sky !!

I hope you enjoyed the trip and were looked after.

Hi viz not mandatory, but many wear the vests. "Fair play to you" = good on you, well done - a compliment anyway.

Mobile speed cameras (vans) are in use in Ireland but not that common actually. Fixed cameras are rare. Most msc's measure oncoming speed recording the front number plate, and as bikes don't have front plates they can't catch you. France is the worst imo with multiple fixed cameras at the entry and exit of every small town. Austria going the same way.

I have the Olmax tyre changer and have used it on Michelin Road 4s (fairly easy) and Pirelli Angel GT A spec tyres for the FJR which are very stiff. I found that if you press down on the tyre rim using the bead breaker head (rather than G clamps) on the side opposite the duck bill, it is much easier to get the rim up on the head with the tyre lever.

As always, you will be avoiding boring motorways so tolls will not/should not be a concern - you do not need etags/accounts or anything else. It is toll free to use national (N), regional (R) or local roads (L). The only roads that are tolled (in some sections) are inter-city motorways (M designation). These tolls are collected in cash at standard manned pay booths. The only exception is the auto-toll on the M50 north of the Westlink bridge where you can pay using a credit card online before 8pm the next day, but you are unlikely to use this section of the M50. It is true that we have KMph in the Republic of Ireland and Mph in Northern Ireland. It is easy to convert in your head after a little while. The border is totally transparent, no checks or anything like that. The only way you know you are in NI is the speed limit signs are in MPH. As the country roads around the coastline tend to be bumpy and the surface can be marginal, I would favour an Africa Twin over a cruiser. You put another thread on this forum in relation to this trip (which I cannot seem to find now) which linked to 2 videos and some comments which are good information.

I could not find any official fenda extenda for the Niken, so in desperation I fitted these:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Scooter-Mudflap-Fixing/dp/B081D5MLGY/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=1SZsV&pf_rd_p=4d619998-507a-44d3-b580-1c7fc24282f7&pf_rd_r=8RA4FET84X77YA2GTEDE&pd_rd_r=7253120f-25a1-48dc-949f-d44554bd5a59&pd_rd_wg=QbAbx&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m I have them very close to the ground without running up on them when reversing. Paint the bolts black and they don't look too bad. Boots now stay dry without crap all over them. I am even considering fitting one to the fenda extenda on the FJR.

Agree - Spain great biking country

Very good video(s) if you include the south of Ireland one he did earlier. They cover most of the 'remote' things to see. He was unlucky with the weather, usually it changes quickly from day to day and hour to hour. It all depends on how long you plan to stay and your start/end ports. I think he should have stayed a night in a few larger towns/cities too such as Donegal, Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny to balance up the experience. After a few days, solitary scenery becomes enough. Some arrive in Dublin port and depart Larne to visit Scotland, others depart Dublin and take in Snowdonia in North Wales (fab). You can also go from Rosslare to Fishguard in south Wales, or Rosslare to France.

I fitted a Scotttoiler X-System V2 to my Niken and am very happy with it so far. Simple to fit upright, underneath the seat in the space to the right of the ABS distribution block. The oil delivery tube is clamped to a bendable metal tab holder screwed into the bobbin screw hole. Looks neat and tidy. The oil straw sits nicely against the ledge on the sprocket.

Hi - there are many good routes, where are you arriving/departing from, and how long will you be here ??

Yuasa/GS over here have a rectangular nut as standard, so it doesn't turn. Piece of cardboard underneath the nut so it is easier to start the bolt.

Here are 2 of the 4 VIN numbers, I have the 2 others elsewhere but will get them at some stage My niken was registered in Southern Ireland (Republic of Ireland) in July 2019 the VIN is JYARN581000000470 and my donor track bike is JYARN581000000046 and was never registered. Both are Graphite Black non GT versions best regards

You can add 4 for Ireland, I have 1, and 2 donor (ex track) Nikens and a friend has another one.

Welcome to the exclusive club. Great bike, love mine and have/had loads of Yamahas. I fitted standard MT09 mirrors using the existing threaded screw on the left and replacing the brake master cylinder on the right (with the screw version from the MT09). Ride quality is better than any 2 wheeler.

I replaced the brake master cylinder with one off EBay from an MT-09 (which has the screw in) and fitted two standard Yamaha MT mirrors. Great rear view with the four mirrors, but the lower ones are somewhat obscured when the muffs are fitted. Simple and effective.

Yamaha claim the front end end has 80% more grip than a single wheel (80% not 100% because the two fronts are only 15inch rather than 17 or 19). Apart from the extra grip, the ride quality is much smoother than any other bike I have had including a number of FJRs, Super Teneres and even a Goldwing. It feels very stable and reassuring in difficult, cold, wet and slippery conditions. The 900GT, directs every bump and vibration straight onto your wrists. The steering head on the NIken is offset and not connected directly to the forks, so broken surfaces, drains and manholes are felt as just bumps at the handlebars, rather like you get on a steering wheel of a car. The crankshaft and flywheel are heavier than the GT and along with different fuel mapping, the engine feels smoother, less vibey and more torquey. It is not as quick as the GT, and definitely uses more fuel than the GT, but is still plenty lively enough for fast cruising, overtaking etc. I prefer the Niken dashboard, it is simpler but better still, has larger numbers that can be easily read. The tft on the GT is very small and as for the wheel thing !! The finish is very good with lots of chrome bolts and fasteners, just make sure to rinse the road salt off.

I picked up a Niken at the right price in December. I have a Tracer 900GT for about 2 years, which I will move on now. Really like the Niken, nicer to ride than the GT imo, and pleased to get something so unique.