Someone Has Already Built A Turbo Yamaha Niken
Leave it to the Aussies to put mad power into a mad ride.
It was only a matter of time until somebody hot-rodded the new Yamaha Niken. Yamaha Motorsports Australia recently shared a build by Trooper Lu's Garage of New South Wales that is believed to be the first turbo Niken in the world.
Details remain sparse on the specifics of this build, but the photos shared by Yamaha and Trooper Lu's provide some details. Most notable is the Garrett turbo mounted to the bottom of the bike, designed by Ben Shaw from Extreme Creations. Similar applications of this system have resulted in an increase of around 33 horsepower. Added to the Niken's stock 115 horsepower would put this bike around 148. Trooper Lu's says that Shaw "has knocked the turbo application out of the park. Like roll on throttle wheelies out of the park."
The custom color scheme is another significant change from the Niken's standard Yamaha blue. We can also see KYB forks, as well as a custom exhaust with an Akrapovic muffler. The large top box gives the turbo Niken some utility as well, kind of like a fast Niken GT.
The end result is something that looks quite different from your standard Niken, which itself looks quite different from any other bike on the road. Its desert tan color and square top box may visually hint at some adventure bike capabilities, but it's no more made for dirt than the standard model. Instead, it's optimized to take the standard Niken's already impressive capabilities and crank them up to 11. The build also shows that it is possible to customize and modify the Niken, despite its highly unusual design.
Trooper Lu's promises that "There will be a full list of work and review moving forward." We're looking forward to learning more about this bonkers build.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Own A Yamaha Ténéré Or Other Dual Sport? You Need To Know About This Off-Road Event
This V8 Racecar Made to Dominate Pikes Peak Uses Welded Together Superbike Motors, and One Big Turbo
Riders In The US Finally Get This Badass Yamaha Color. And It's Not Really Blue
This Company Wants Flock Cameras To Spy On You Even More. Adds Device Tracking
I Raced ATVs At Watkins Glen. Then I DNF'd Due To a Big Crash
The EV Motorcycle Revolution Isn't Stalling. It's Booming With The Kids
Stop Riding Your 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Right Now. At Least, Until You Get This Recall Done