I test rode a Niken today...

[betoney]

Yamaha had their Demo Days in Olympia today so I stopped in to see what they had to offer.  Appointments were 45 minutes apart, test ride was 25-30 minutes and then 15 minutes to spray down the bikes and prepare the next group.  When I got there the 1:00pm ride was already booked so I signed up for the 1:45 group, when we got back a lot more riders had shown up and the 2:30 group was booked and only a few spots left for the 3:15 group.

I talked to the sales guy when I got there and he said not to worry about riding the T7 or the MT10 today, they had some in stock and would let me demo them at a later date to avoid the wait time but insisted that I HAD to try the Niken.

First off the fueling is ultra smooth, way more than any flashed bike I have ridden, like B-Mode smooth with A-Mode aggressiveness, VERY impressed.  The suspension was also impressively plush, we rode on urban surface streets and some rural farm land roads, man hole covers, pot holes, pavement cracks etc and I never got any spine jarring jolts, for stock Yamaha suspension, it felt great.  'Supposedly' the engine tune is milder and the bike weighs around 100lbs more than the Tracer, I expected the acceleration to kind of be a dog but it was sharp and smooth and pulled with authority.  I only used A-mode, they call it 1, STD would be 2 and B-Mode would be 3.  I tried all 3 for a second or 2 but liked 1 or A-Mode the best, especially considering how smooth it was.

You always read about the front end and handling, I will say, had I not looked and seen 2 wheels out front, I never would have realized what I was riding from the riders experience, it absolutely feels just like a 2 wheeler.  We rode through several traffic circles, right angle turns and some sweeping curves and I rode it almost as spirited as I would my bike (it was still a demo ride of course) and was instilled with confidence and grip through every corner.  This was also the first time I have ever ridden with a quick shifter and LOVED it, I hit neutral a few times between 1 and 2 but other than that, just keep the throttle pinned and grab gear after gear.

The only negative to report would be that the front brakes weren't exceptionally strong, the seat felt like it had a weird downward slope and the soft bags were kind of floppy on their mounts but other than that, VERY impressed with the bike.

FWIW, for anyone considering going to a demo day, they had almost all of their bikes available to ride except the R1, VMax and scooters.

[Stew]

It just looks so wierd though, but a great write up, sounds like you had a good time.
Question is, would you buy one?

[betoney]

10 minutes ago, Stew said:

It just looks so wierd though, but a great write up, sounds like you had a good time.
Question is, would you buy one?

I would like to give it a full day test ride, maybe 300-400 miles in all different conditions.

I would absolutely put it on the list of possible bikes, in no way would I NOT consider it.  I came away very impressed.

When I finished the demo ride I was talking to one of the safety riders and he said the reaction is exactly the same as yours "It looks so weird"... until they ride it and then the reaction is usually like mine.   He said its one of those bikes that no one wants to like but then they usually come away very surprised.

[Coop]

Thanks, I've always wondered what that funny looking bike was like.

[Manxkiwi]

I test rode one back in March. Like you, I thought it felt just like a two wheeler on the move. A very confidence inspiring front end. I found it unusual (obviously) thinking of three lines on the road surface where the wheels would be tracking, when looking for holes/gravel etc. You'd get used to that though. Probably wouldn't buy one, unless I won silly money on lotto! But it was good satisfy my interest in how it rode.

[Dodgy Knees]

I don't get it... one wheel up front should give enough grip. Also, when avoiding debris or speed bumps those wheels aren't in my line. Looks hideous, very heavy, more tyres, Nope, not for me.

[kilo3]

If you've been living under a rock, watch this video:

Take note, its not about what it is now, but rather what it will become.

[fjray]

Loved it when I  rode one last year.  Too expensive for me. 

[texscottyd]

Thanks for the write up of your experience with the Nikon,  @betoney!  While I don’t think owning one is in my immediate future, really do want to find a way to test ride one...  

[Stew]

15 hours ago, betoney said:

I would like to give it a full day test ride, maybe 300-400 miles in all different conditions.

I would absolutely put it on the list of possible bikes, in no way would I NOT consider it.  I came away very impressed.

When I finished the demo ride I was talking to one of the safety riders and he said the reaction is exactly the same as yours "It looks so weird"... until they ride it and then the reaction is usually like mine.   He said its one of those bikes that no one wants to like but then they usually come away very surprised.

Aye, that makes sense. I never think about what my bike looks like when I am on it.

[koth442]

I want to put one on the race track. Could trail brake so deep. 

[betoney]

28 minutes ago, texscottyd said:

While I don’t think owning one is in my immediate future, really do want to find a way to test ride one...  

Yes, you owe it to yourself to at least try it and see for yourself. 

I am always open to try something new and I certainly applaud Yamaha for releasing something so radical, I hope this urges other manufacturers to try something new and different.

[texscottyd]

2 hours ago, koth442 said:

I want to put one on the race track. Could trail brake so deep. 

I've thought about that, too.  But then I visualize myself bouncing the inside front wheel over curbs and into trackside gravel, and wonder how it would actually feel in practice.   But as @betoney said, I totally respect the engineer efforts, and commend Yamaha on trying something so radically different.    I'm really intrigued, and look forward to riding one at some point. 

[betoney]

@texscottyd - This is a a good first impression video of an X-Diavel and Niken owner swapping bikes.

 

[roadrash83]

5 hours ago, texscottyd said:

Thanks for the write up of your experience with the Nikon,  @betoney!  While I don’t think owning one is in my immediate future, really do want to find a way to test ride one...  

 Last year, right after it came out my local dealer had a demo and he wanted to take it home for the night. Like a fool I turned down his offer, I just didn't have any interest in it at the time. I sure regret that decision now.