Motorcycle specifications IndianFTR 1200 2019 A lord of the rings

I'll just say it, and some of you won't feel like laughing any more. There will be a before and an after for the FTR 1200.
Why is that? Because it will radically change the way we look at American motorcycling. The image of Peter Fonda and Denis Hopper in Easy Rider as choppers full of freedom, the thickness of a Terminator on a custom Fat Boy or the stereotype of the bearded man on his bagger...... All this will be swept away by this flat-track. Because American motorcycling is also about sport. With no brakes, it's all about gliding over the speed rings.
So yes, motorcycling in the USA is all about heavy cruisers, and now it's also about hard-hitting, sporty roadsters. Unthinkable before the Indian renaissance. On the road in 2019!

not entirely implausible, to be honest. Harley gave it a try with the XR 1200 X. An... interesting... outline... Indian goes much further, with the same rhetoric but a much more accomplished reality. The idea is to transpose the spirit of the FTR 750, winner of the American AMA Flat Track championship, into a perfectly wild road bike. The Springfield-based manufacturer could have simply changed the forks, handlebars and footpegs, and given the bike a nice deco. But no, too simple, too commercial. The FTR 1200 is a real novelty, a model that owes nothing to the others, using only the Scout's engine. And even then - with a healthy dose of modifications.

the twin has been enlarged: by lengthening the piston bore from 99 to 102 mm, the engine-makers have increased the cubic capacity to 1203 cm3. A good dose of magnesium to keep the weight down, an optimized intake via an airbox above the engine, a compression ratio greatly increased to 12.5:1, high-flow cylinder heads, twin throttle bodies and a crankshaft with reduced inertia all change the dimensions of this berlingot. 120 horsepower are ready to be unleashed, supported by peak torque of 11.7 mkg. It doesn't yet have the ardor of an Italian or Japanese production, but we're witnessing a real new approach to power. Decades of torque and low-speed pounding will now coexist with watts and high revs.

this time, there's plenty of power in the right hand. But the chassis has to be just right. This is where Indian comes into its own: a completely new chassis. It was out of the question to think of any kind of fun with a custom chassis. So, we put away the knick-knacks, warmed up the grey matter, and voila, the FTR 1200 gets a brand-new tubular steel trellis frame. The stern features a swingarm and suspension setup similar to those on the FTR 750 racing bike. Striking! The fuel tank is tucked under the seat to lower the center of gravity. Upstream, a 43 mm inverted fork and 4-piston Brembo radial calipers are fitted.
The FTR is sporty, but not radical. A still-wise wheelbase of 1,524 mm (a 1200 Monster is 1,485 mm), a caster angle of 26.3° and a dry weight of 225 kilos keep it from being a sultry machine... but already pretty wild for an American. Play, gas and provocation are clearly part of the brief.

mind you, the FTR is not a pure roadster, as befits a regular roadster. Its tire set-up differs from that of the category. The shoes are 120/70 - 19 at the front and 150/80 - 18 at the rear. And with 150 mm of suspension travel, you could almost feel like you're on a trail bike. Confusing? Not really. Let's not forget that this machine is an on-road interpretation of the Flat-Track machine, i.e. a machine with an eye on gravel tracks. So we've taken this choice on board, envisaged cross-country use and validated the specific rubber profile. Dunlop supplies Indian with DT3-Rs featuring a cobblestone tread, inspired by the world of American racing.

let's go back for a moment to the basics, to the look, to the first glance. This Indian's style is striking. It has no desire to remain calm, and its only regret is the imposition of a huge exhaust system. A certain style saves face. The left side of the machine is much more airy.
The FTR 1200's cockpit is uncluttered. ProTaper aluminum handlebars, a circular tachometer and a digital window - that's it, and that's enough.
It's much more enticing on the lighting side. The taillight displays a strong identity in its illumination. The front headlamp unit, on the other hand, is totally unconventional. Round in shape, it houses a whole array of LEDs with an assertive visual signature.
And let's not forget a little additional driving pleasure. A USB port lets you plug in your GPS or recharge your smartphone. A cruise control system lets you switch to cruising if you prefer the open road to dynamic cornering.

fallen in love with Flat-Track, the FTR 1200 copies its codes for a very special road experience, all new for an Uncle Sam production. The machine is singular, intriguing (in the good sense of the word), and opens the door to a new clientele.
The FTR 1200 will also be available in a 70 Kw version that can be limited for A2 license holders. As well as an S version with improved suspension, brighter colors, adapted Ride Command instrumentation, three engine maps, stability control, traction control and anti-wheeling.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos