2019 Indian FTR 1200 first ride review: A hooligan in racer’s clothing

With its flat-track impressed attractiveness and actual efficiency, the 2019 Indian FTR 1200 looks like an nearly excellent machine on paper. The bike represents a radical departure not just for Indian, however for American motorbike manufacturing as an entire.See, right here within the land of bald eagles and amber waves of grain, our massive home motorbike producers (Harley-Davidson and Polaris, specifically, the latter of which owns Indian) have traditionally been responsible of pandering to at least one demographic of motorcyclists: child boomers. By retaining their eyes planted firmly on the previous, the remainder of the motorbike world has handed them by, providing merchandise geared towards the subsequent technology of riders. Indian has lastly taken a take a look at what these new, youthful people need, and the result’s the FTR 1200.The FTR 1200 is a motorbike that takes huge inspiration from the Cinderella story that’s American flat-track racing, and the Indian FTR 750 that runs in that sequence, in addition to bikes just like the Ducati Monster 1200, BMW R Nine T and KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Spoiler alert: It’s a ton of enjoyable.The FTR 1200 from Indian is a prepared participant in all types of hooliganesque conditions.
Sam Schneider/Indian Motorcycle
The FTR 1200 relies on a comparatively easy recipe. First, take a giant, character-filled engine, and bolt it right into a stiff body with upright rider ergonomics. Add high quality suspension and brakes, make the handlebars large and sprinkle some fashionable tech. Rinse and repeat.This is a method for principally all of my favourite bikes, however Indian does a number of issues in another way to assist it stand out from the Europeans. First, the FTR is obtainable in two primary trim ranges. The customary FTR 1200 is an honest worth proposition at $13,499. It’s pretty stripped again in comparison with the upper spec model, that includes an analog gauge and fewer rider aids, however the energy output is similar, and far of the hardware is simply too.The higher-spec S model begins at a not-inconsiderable $15,499, however you are getting an terrible lot for that further $2,000. First, you lose the essential gauges and get an excellent good-looking, full-color TFT digital sprint. You additionally get a full suite of lean-sensitive digital rider aids, together with ABS, traction management and extra. You even get absolutely adjustable suspension on each the entrance forks and rear shock.The S-spec suspension on our take a look at bike is a pleasant shock. The people who set it up clearly knew what they had been doing, as a result of that is no stiffened-up cruiser design. It’s compliant however agency and I can simply think about it being all-day snug with a few minor changes for my top and weight.If you determine to get the S and actually have some money to burn, for a further $1,500 you may get the Race Replica model which comes with a beautiful purple metal trellis body and rear tubular swing arm, and an Akrapovič exhaust (which sounds epic).One of the extra attention-grabbing design options of the FTR 1200 is the airbox for the V-twin engine, which appears to be like prefer it could be the gas tank. In actuality, bulk of the gas tank lives beneath the rider’s butt, and that’s nice for 2 causes. First, it permits Indian to present this massive (and certain thirsty) bike a wholly respectable 3.4-gallon gas capability. Next, gasoline is heavy, and having heavy issues decrease within the bike is at all times good.The FTR’s saddle is comparatively large and flat sufficient that a rider can transfer forwards and backwards on it with out feeling locked into one place. It’s not overly padded (this is not precisely Easy Rider), nevertheless it compares favorably to the opposite bikes within the class, a few of which really feel like a half-inch of sofa foam nailed to cardboard (I am taking a look at you, BMW R Nine T).All FTR 1200s get the identical liquid-cooled, 1,203-cc V-twin engine that produces a decidedly wholesome 120 horsepower and 85 pound-feet of torque. The FTR’s transmission is a six-speed sequential unit with a moist multiplate clutch, and is slick and easy to shift. The clutch pull on the lever is gentle, and the slipper clutch’s engagement is easy and extremely straightforward to modulate.Our teacher, Jordan Graham, demonstrating the finer factors of going quick on a mud circle.
Sam Schneider/Indian Motorcycle
The journeyIndian organized the FTR take a look at journey to coincide with the One Moto present in Portland, Oregon, in addition to the 1Pro Super Hooligan race, which Indian sponsors. Thus, my journey takes place on a 0.1-mile dust oval monitor — one thing with which I had no prior expertise.Indian introduced alongside Super Hooligan rider Jordan Graham to present me a number of tips on learn how to hustle the large FTR round this meat grinder of a course. “Push the bike down with your arms! Don’t tuck your elbows in! Go easy on the throttle!” Even trickier, Indian turned off lots of the FTR 1200’s rider help options for this take a look at. Traction management? Nope. Antilock brakes? Gone.That stated, as a result of it could be a colossal bummer if the entrance brakes locked up on the dust, Indian eliminated the entrance brake lever on my take a look at bike. The rear brake received an honest exercise throughout my journey, and it is (as most motorbike rear brakes are) simply high quality. It does not appear overly highly effective and does not need to lock up on me with ABS off. The pedal feels good too. The FTR has a twin-ventilated disc setup within the entrance with radial-mounted Brembo calipers. It’s a strong, well-proven recipe, and I think about it will really feel simply high quality in use on the road.The clay floor of the Salem Indoor Speedway had far more grip than appeared attainable, and Jordan helped us exploit it.
Sam Schneider/Indian Motorcycle
It’s form of surprising how cheap and unassuming the facility supply is. I had assumed that the FTR could be finicky and grabby, uncouth and offended, however the expertise of driving it could not have been extra spectacular.The vicious-looking clay floor that had terrified me a minute earlier than proved to have unimaginable ranges of grip. The massive, highly effective engine that simply moments earlier than I believed would break free and ship me sliding was unstressed and straightforward to handle. I turned in a number of laps, every sooner and extra assured than the final, and got here again searching for Jordan’s steering on how I may enhance my pace.The bike is, always and all speeds, a prepared participant within the train. Some bikes repeatedly really feel like they’re goading you into going sooner and like they hate you since you’re gradual (see: Aprilia Tuono). That may be enjoyable and all, however the FTR 1200 feels just like the motorbike equal of a post-McConaissance Matthew McConaughey: at all times searching for a great time however has your again when stuff goes pear-shaped. The FTR desires you to Just Keep Livin’.Editors’ notice: Travel prices associated to this function had been lined by the producer. This is widespread within the auto business, as it is extra economical to ship journalists to vehicles than to ship vehicles to journalists. While Roadshow accepts multi-day car loans from producers as a way to present scored editorial critiques, all scored car critiques are accomplished on our turf and on our phrases.The judgments and opinions of Roadshow’s editorial workforce are our personal and we don’t settle for paid editorial content material.