Yamaha Announces 2018 Niken: ‘Leaning Multi-Wheeler (LMW)’

Yamaha Niken
The 2018 Yamaha Niken. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.

At the 45th Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha unveiled the Niken, what they are calling a “Leaning Multi-Wheeler,” or LMW. Details are sparse, with Yamaha only giving overall dimensions and specifying that the Niken will be powered by a “liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve inline-triple.” It will have 15-inch front wheels and dual-tube upside-down forks.

The Niken appears to be destined for production, although it is yet to be announced as to whether or not it will make it to the States. Yamaha will be doing the complete unveil on November 6, at the EICMA motorcycle expo in Milan, Italy, during its “Pioneers of Emotion” press event, which can be viewed live on the Yamaha Europe Facebook page.

Yamaha Niken
2018 Yamaha Niken.

13 COMMENTS

  1. Perfect feature for this bike: if the front ends (plural!) can adapt to when you park on uneven/sloped ground like on the side of the road (and also so you don’t need a side stand).

    So, cool, but what’s the advantage in terms of riding? More front-end grip? Obviously better front-end braking grip. But…?

  2. They been working on this for a while now. I thought they gave up on it.
    With this you never have to put your foot down. you cant fall over.
    With the triple stuffed in there it should get some attention.
    Just think of a Piaggio with a real motor under it…..

    My bet is they will price them selves out of the market. Then call it a failure.

    I would have liked to see something like a CanAm Spyder with leaning technology. Then you would have my attention.

    Rob

  3. Given the ubiquitous accessibility of cannabinoids all I ask is this: Please don’t let a leanin’ Niken hurlin’ at me on an off-camber lefty pop out while an old Lada is pullin’ a staleini in front! Well, just sayin’ . . .

  4. Interesting concept. You can convert your own motorcycle with a Tilting Motor Works assembly out of Seattle WA. Costs between 10,000 and $13,500. depending upon the options you want.

    • That’s not nearly the same thing. That “Tilting Motor Works” setup using automotive suspension technology and the front wheelbase is almost as wide a CanAm Spyder. It only works for Harleys–which means you’ll still be riding a Harley and thee are NO sporty H-D streetbikes. And the front end looks like they stuck a sidecar on the front of a motorcycle. And it undoubtedly weighs a lot more than the Yamaha setup. The Yamaha design is no wider at the front wheels than the handlebars and will handle much more closely to a standard motorcycle regarless of Tilting Motor Works ad copy.
      I’m not saying three wheels is the next evolution of the motorcycle, just definitely not the TMW…except for Harley people or those physically unable to ride a motorcycle.

  5. I see nothing but positives from this machine. Who can argue with better traction? I can’t wait to learn more about how it rides and how it all works. Impressive engineering, if nothing else. Very few people saw the real benefits built into the original Goldwing, but it did okay.

  6. It looks like a transformer. It will probably take some getting used to as well. I hope, for their sake, the market for this thing is big enough.

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