Tokyo Motor Show 2017: Yamaha Niken is a three-wheeled lean machine
At the Tokyo Motor Show 2017, Yamaha has brought some unique ideas, of which the Yamaha Niken is the most bizarre. Yamaha refers to the Niken as a Large Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW), since it features two wheels up front and one at the rear. While three-wheelers are not a new concept, it is the lean function that makes the Yamaha Niken stand out. The Niken features two 15-inch wheels at the front, each sprung by two tandem upside down forks. It has a wide front face that is part sportsbike and part quad fender. The Yamaha Niken comes powered by a water-cooled inline three-cylinder engine with four valves.
The Yamaha Niken is 885mm wide. Yamaha claims that the LMW setup results in a sense of stability when cornering irrespective of changing road surfaces. Its promo video shows a man who crafts some high tech skis which he then takes to a winding tarmac road, where it transforms in the Yamaha Niken.
The Niken then goes on to lean through the corners. It is supposed to portray an experience akin to skiing down slopes, but the road surface looks like it would be fun on a usual two-wheeled motorcycle too. So we wonder how this product will be placed.
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