The FTR 1200, when debuted in 2019, dropped the jaws of both die-hard Indian Motorcycle fans and non-fans alike. It was their first mass approach towards a mass-produced street-legal sporty(that’s right, both sporty and street-legal!) bike. Apart from the track-only FTR 750 race bike, Indian Motorcycle was known for making great bikes in the Cruiser, Bobber, Bagger, and Tourer categories. This just shows that Indian Motorcycle is not here to mess around. This one is not a muscular, chrome-dipped cruiser, but it’s still an ‘Indian’ and people loved it.
So, how good is the Indian FTR 1200, and what makes it such a great daily driver? Let's find out.
Engine And Performance:
For the engine, Indian made the wise decision to stick with the good old American V-Twin. A liquid-cooled DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder to be precise. It produces an impressive 123 bhp and 87 lb.-ft of peak torque at 6000 rpm. The engine displacement is 1203cc which proves to be a sweet spot for both power and fuel economy for this particular bike. The FTR 1200 features a very precise 6-speed transmission with a wet clutch gear primary drive and chain final drive with a 2.882: 1 ratio. The fuel tank can hold a maximum of 3.4 gallons of fuel and the wheelbase is 60 inches long. The seat height is 33.1 inches so most of us won’t have any issues.
The bike rides on Dunlop’s DT3-R Radial, 120/70R19 60V tire in the front, andDT3-R Radial, 150/70R18 in the rear. The front wheel is cast 19 x 3 inches and the rear wheel is cast 18 x 4.25 inches. The extra size of the front wheel and the added thickness of the rear wheel make the bike capable of handling corners well and also add stability at high speed. The front brake is a 320mm dual rotor xt5 with 4-piston calipers and the rear brake is a 265mm single rotor xt5 with 2-piston calipers, both from Brembo. The FTR 1200 gets fully adjustable suspensions on both ends. An Inverted Telescopic Cartridge Fork at the front and an IFP Monotube at the back. Both travel up to 150mm so you’ll be just fine on the roads.
How Does It Drive?
While twisting the throttle, you can feel the power delivery is almost instantaneous. It’s like it just wants to go forward and you just gave it a green signal. You will also find that even though it’s a V-Twin engine, it is apparently very rev-happy with its sweet spot lying between 5,800 and 8,200RPM. With its fuel tank attached below the driver, it has a low center of gravity. Combine that with a lean angle of 43 degrees, there won’t be any trouble dodging potholes and other obstacles. Also, designed after their race bike FTR 750, it weighs just 488 lbs (dry weight) and 508 lbs (wet weight), a lot lighter than most if not all other Indian bikes so it feels surprisingly nimble and agile. The Dunlop tires also do a remarkable job of sticking to the ground.
However, going off-roading with this one will not be the best idea, to be honest. Despite it looking like a mix between a naked sports bike and a scrambler or a dirt bike, they never made the FTR as an adventure bike. It has a ground clearance of 7.2 inches so big obstacles cannot be overlooked. Also, the handlebar position is low, hence, riding while standing up is also not that comfortable.
To be fair, the suspension is decent enough to ride on light dirt trails or tiny jumps. Overall, it is fantastic on the road and decent on dirt, but proper off-roading is not something one should consider doing with this bike.
Other Features Of The Bike:
Like most modern bikes these days, you will find many commonly seen features in the base model itself. It has full LED lighting(headlights, taillights, and turn indicators), Anti Lock Braking System is also present and so is a USB mobile charging port. The FTR 1200 will also come equipped with cruise control. The Instrument cluster will feature a speedometer, indicator lamps, and a multi-function display. The indicator lamps feature lights for neutral gear, high beam headlight, turn indicators, check engine, low fuel, an indicator for ABS not activated, chassis fault indicator, and also a side stand indicator. The multifunction display shows battery voltage warning, low oil pressure warning, cruise control status, odometer, and fuel gauge. There is also a pass indicator present. The seats are well cushioned making it the perfect motorcycle for long journeys. It has a 2-1-2 exhaust system that makes the sound of the engine at low rpm feel bass-heavy.
Why Is It A Good “Daily Driver”?
The bike might be designed after the FTR 750 flat-tracker, the championship-winning race bike that you can’t drive on the streets, but the FTR 1200 is built with street performance and everyday riding kept in mind. And it shows once you ride it. Whether you live in an urban city area, countryside, or anything in between, as long as you drive it on the roads, you’ll have an excellent time with it. The fuel efficiency has not been revealed yet, but if it’s anything close to its 2019 model at 32 mpg(combined), we will be just fine. The crisp handling, responsive throttle, and long-lasting comfort give this bike an edge over its competitors.
Priced at $13,499 it really seems like a good deal, you get the reliability and craftsmanship of Indian Motorcycle, a well-all rounder bike that is capable of both city traversing and highway cruising alike, and a powerful engine all in one bike.