For decades now, the Indian Motorcycles has always had their prime focus on big, cushy cruisers and touring motorcycles. As a matter of fact, the first thing that pops in the head when you think of the American bikemaker is a nice, comfortable and formidably expensive cruiser. However, the American manufacturer also has bragging rights as a well-known manufacturer for Flat track racing motorcycles.
Stepping their foot in a new direction, Indian decidedly launched the FTR 1200 S in the country, a street-legal version of the FTR. Now, the FTR 1200 S is not entirely a new motorcycle. It has been around in the US for quite some time now, and it just made its way to the Indian market. So, here’s everything you should know about the new hooligan from our Indian FTR 1200 S review.
The FTR 1200 S takes its very inspiration from the flat track racer, FTR 750. The low and long outline, sharp creases and the high stance make it look like a Scrambler. However, Indian has ensured the motorcycle looks modern and sophisticated by adding some sporty touches. Take for instance the full-LED headlamp at the front, dual upswept exhaust, golden USD forks, and a 4.3-inch coloured information display. The multi-spoke alloy wheels are finished in black and are accompanied by huge disc brakes. One grouse has to be the stubby tail, which could have been a bit longer. However, it does look very tempting in the red and silver paint option, the one you see here.
At the heart of the FTR 1200, S is a 1,203cc V-twin that also propels in the Scout. However, in the FTR 1200 S, the engine is tweaked to churn out 120bhp at 8,250rpm and 115Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. The power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox that works in tandem with a slipper/assist clutch. The riding position is also quite comfortable, and the upright position is handy for high distance riding. But what happens when you twist the throttle?
The bike lunges ahead very quickly, and the throttle response is very brisk even on the slightest twist of the wrist. The engine is rev-happy, and the best performance is delivered in between the 4,000rpm to 6,500rpm mark. The wide handlebar is supremely comfortable and makes the handling relatively easy. As a result, the bike likes to tackle corners and can be quite fun around twists and turns.
The USD forks at the front and the rear monoshock are fully adjustable. The front and rear suspension are designed by ZF – a German firm that also builds components for BMW. But even so, the bike is not made to tackle any off-road gravels or trails. The ride quality is on the stiffer side, and while it can be quite unsettling at lower speeds, the ride quality only gets better as soon as you gain momentum. The tyres are extremely grippy and offer stupendous road holding on the tarmac. As for the safety net, the Indian features switchable ABS, traction control, wheelie mitigation control, stability control and three riding modes – Rain, Standard and Sport.
On the whole, the FTR delivers an exhilarating experience on the tarmac, couple that with a fresh design and it makes a strong case for itself. However, even with the FTR bragging rights, the bike is only meant for the streets. And that’s where we extolled the virtues of this mighty Indian. The other downside has to be price. You could also buy bikes with exceptional performance and better street presence at the same price. So why the Indian FTR 1200 S? To read our verdict and the full Indian FTR 1200 S review, be sure to tune in to autoX.