Page 62 - 100% Biker (January 2020)

BIKE FEATURE YAMAHA NIKEN

“BEARING IN MIND THE SPEED OF THE NIKEN, ONE COULD SAY THAT

THIS MOTORCYCLE CUTS THROUGH THE AIR LIKE A SAMURAI SWORD”

front suspension obviously presenting a
whole raft of obstacles to overcome.
The list of parts that were modified by
Game Over Cycles is long but it includes
the brake and clutch levers, mirrors,
mudguards, the Akrapovic exhaust, the
seat base and the fuel tank, air filters,
battery box, engine and suspension
covers and the headlight. All three
wheels, the swinging arm, engine covers,
foot rest holders, and the entire frame and
front suspension were also polished to the
bare aluminium.
Game Over Cycles’ custom Niken refers
to its country of origin, but also in the
physical use of the Japanese language in the
construction. The Game Over Cycles crew
incorporated onto the machine Japanese
characters denoting the name of Niken
model, as well as a thought written in
Japanese and taken from the Yamaha brand
philosophy, ࣦഊΛڪΕͣɺ΋͏Ұஈߴ͍໨ඪ
ʹऔΓ૊Ή, which translates as ‘Courage to
set higher goals without fear of failure’.
Yamaha is a company that has never
been shy of involving itself in the custom
scene and Yamaha Europe has been
particularly enthusiastic in seeing what this attitude, saying: “I have been For the debut of their Niken,
builders can do with its raw products. extremely impressed with Staszek’s Game Over Cycles chose the huge
From the involvement of John Reed talent, his unconventional approach to Custombike show in Germany
with the Yamaha Virago project almost customisation and his out of this world which always has its fair share of
forty years ago to the recent Yard Built ideas that have been appreciated around barking mad builds. However, this
programme, the company has always the world for years. I am glad that for his year there was no competition for
seemed to take a delight in what other latest project he chose the Niken which the winner of the ‘Craziest Bike’
people can do with their motorcycles. is so innovative and unique for Yamaha. trophy, one of many that will no
Magdalena Piskorz, Yamaha Motor Working with such professionals is a doubt be going home to Poland
Poland’s General Director, continues pure pleasure.” over the next year.

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