I recently took my KTM 690 Duke in for a manufacturer's recall and had a natter with one of the salesmen in Saltire Motorcycles in Edinburgh. A Yamaha Niken was lounging in the showroom and I had to ask Mark the question "Why would anyone buy one"?
I took up his offer of a demo ride the next free day I had and took their demo out for a few hours. Initially it felt like sitting on a quad but once the unfamiliar slow weave like overtight steering head bearings disappeared above 20 mph I soon forgot I was on 3 wheels! A bit heavyish (compared to a 150kg Duke) but it didn't really feel like 260kg! The stonking 850 triple from the MT09 is a peach but really had to be revved to shift the weight quickly - the stock MT09 felt miles quicker and my 690 single is much gruntier.
The temperature was around 5/6 deg C so I wasn't expecting the tyres to be super grippy but there was no hint of anything to worry about with the front especially giving me confidence to give the 'bars a twich to see how it would respond - instant response. The front suspension felt better than most non sports Yamahas I've ridden - really compliant and well damped and strange to have no "white lining or tramlining" on grooved surfaces or crossing damp white lines.
Back in town I then realised just how wide the Niken is - no chance of filtering. The advice given is to use the mirrors as a width guide, even though they are a good 100+ mm wider than the 'bars but they are also at car mirror height so best to avoid trying to filter. Although I loved the triple engine I didn't like the way the fuelling would raise the engine rpm from 1000 to 2000 as the clutch bit - presumably it's an anti stall device but it was a bit disconcerting when creeping in slow moving traffic! It even popped a little wheelie with an off/on throttle twist in mode 1, as for mode 3........... why? - unresponsive and flat feel to the initial throttle opening. Slick gearbox but thought the quickshifter was harsh and a smoother, as quick change could be achieved manually. Cruise control was interesting but I really needed heated grips more.
Back at the dealership I had to ask myself the same initial question - WHY? at £3500 more than an Ohlins spec MT09 SP, I could also have a used Duke for bimbling around town - Thanks for the ride Saltire.................BRRAAAAAP