Yamaha's Niken GT: Engine, tech and equipment upgrades for leaning three-wheeler

Yamaha’s Niken GT will get a raft of upgrades for 2023 including a more powerful 890cc Euro5 compliant engine.

The inline three-cylinder unit increases capacity by 5% and sits in a newly designed steel frame to accommodate the engine’s increased forward incline. The engine is a variation of the design used in the Tracer 9 and MT-09.

The engine breathes via a redesigned intake and air cleaner and a new exhaust, that Yamaha say gives more ground clearance, completes the set-up.

To cope with the increased power a new slipper clutch is standard and a quickshifter offers both up and down functions – an upgrade over the previous model’s upshift only configuration.

Power delivery is now fly-by-wire, replacing the cables of the previous model and a new lighter, aluminium rear shock linkage replaces the existing steel unit. Yamaha claim this saves 236g in unsprung weight.

Tech upgrades include a 7-inch TFT display which can be enabled to use Garmin navigation as well as the usual call and messaging capabilities.  

Redesigned handlebar switches include a 5-way joystick to operate the various TFT functions and the cockpit is equipped with a USB-A outlet – with a 12V outlet under the seat.

Rider modes, sport, street and rain, and traction control aids have been modified to match the more powerful engine and the GT is also equipped with cruise control.  

Rider comfort is improved by a newly designed seat, a new screen that offers 70mm of up and down adjustment using a manually operated lever next to TFT screen.

New style luggage stays are featured to securely mount the 30-litre, hard luggage to each side of the GT.

Pricing and availability for the new version is expected before December 2022.