2019 Yamaha Niken GT Three-Wheeler First Look

Y

amaha announced today at the EICMA show in Milan that it will expand its Niken three-wheel family to include a more touring-focused Niken GT in 2019. It will be available starting March 2019 and carry a price tag of $17,299.

The GT shares the same 12-valve, 847cc crossplane triple found in the base Niken and originally derived from the MT-09. The hybrid steel and aluminum frame is the same, the paired fork tubes and monoshock at the back are the same, braking package is the same, the 4.8 gallon fuel capacity is the same… You get the picture.

The Leaning Multi-Wheel technology is by now known to most everyone who stays current with trends in the industry, and it was more enjoyable in execution than we might have thought on first glance. For me though, the concept comes into its own as a GT model. It’s hard to beat sportiness with three wheels when you’ve got R1s and MT-10s in the lineup.

The straight-line stability, reliability in corners in adverse conditions, and wider real estate out front make this a much more adept platform for touring.

Related: Motorcycles For People Who Don’t Like Motorcycles

With the GT you get a wide and tall windscreen and newly designed seat for maximum comfort during the hours you’ll spend in the saddle. There are quick-release, 25-liter side cases included, and the bases of these carriers have grips built in for a passenger.

Then there are heated grips and a pair of 12-volt outlets that will allow you to power various types of electric devices. Yamaha put on a centerstand for good measure. There's also LED lighting throughout.

And as with the standard Niken, you get Yamaha electronics in the form of YCC-T Engine Control, Yamaha’s D-Mode system which allows you to select different throttle valve control maps, an adjustable traction control system, cruise control, a quickshifter for upshifting, ABS, and a high-contrast LCD screen to display all the info.

The Niken GT will only be available in Matte Phantom Blue when it finally comes to market.