The Indian FTR 1200 line of bikes doesn’t make a lot sense if you put their specs down on paper. Granted, some folks may suppose bikes usually don’t make a lot sense, however the FTR specifically doesn’t make sufficient energy to be thought of a sportbike contender, doesn’t have sufficient gas storage or snug sufficient ergonomics to make it a tourer or perhaps a sensible day-to-day commuter, and, for apparent causes, it doesn’t precisely slot in with the chromed-out crowd that burbles as much as the native watering gap.
Following a significant replace for the 2022 mannequin 12 months, the FTR 1200 additionally loses an excellent little bit of its flat-track heritage in favor of being a greater all-around motorbike. Does it sound incongruous {that a} area of interest bike is being altered to make it much less area of interest? Why sure. Sure, it does.
Be that as it might, a month spent with a 2022 FTR 1200 confirmed it to be a really wonderful motorbike. It refuses to be pigeonholed into any particular class, and it’s higher off due to it. If a purchaser is in search of a bike solely to meet the need for two-wheeled enjoyable, the Indian FTR 1200 ought to be on the brief checklist.
Powered by a 1,203 cubic-centimeter 60-degree V-twin engine that spins out 120 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and a peak of 87 pound-feet of torque. That’s not wherever close to the 200-horsepower {that a} race-tuned engine of an analogous measurement might produce, however that hardly issues in the true world. The FTR’s engine will get proper into the meat of its extensive powerband by the point the clutch is absolutely launched with none useless spots and with excellent computer-controlled fueling. Peak torque is reached at a comparatively low 6,000 rpm, however it seems like there’s loads of stonk beneath that engine velocity, and the V-twin doesn’t appear to path off because it spins towards its redline of round 9,000 rpm.
The engine provides Rain, Road and Sport experience modes, and the variations between them are simply felt from the saddle. Sport could also be a bit aggressive for road using, which is okay since Road lived as much as its title. Utilizing it, throttle response is speedy, fueling is nice, and mixed with an simply modulated clutch, the bike’s sporty demeanor shines via with none form of herky-jerky annoyance.
Cylinder deactivation cuts off the rear cylinder when it’s not wanted, which apparently helps the engine maintain cool. It was a reasonably chilly Midwestern fall and winter when the bike was examined, so warmth wasn’t an issue.
Maybe essentially the most notable change for 2022 is a change to 17-inch wheels entrance and rear, changing the unique’s 19-inch entrance and 18-inch rear wheels. Whereas these older hoops added some flat-track credibility, the change to a extra widespread measurement means discovering good tires is way simpler. The brand new cast-aluminum wheels put on Metzeler Sportec tires, and there’s a complete bunch of grip accessible proper as much as the bike’s most lean angle of 43 levels.
The rejiggering of suspension bits and the wheel and tire bundle have resulted in barely extra aggressive geometry that makes the brand new bike really feel extra street-biased than the primary model. It’s nonetheless loads secure, aided by a beneficiant 60-inch wheelbase. It additionally leads to a extra approachable seat top of 30.7 inches, which is sort of a bit decrease than the earlier model’s claimed 33.1.
The check bike was a 2022 FTR 1200 S mannequin that begins at $14,999, which is $2,000 greater than the bottom non-S FTR. The bike was fitted with optionally available equipment and packages from Indian, most notably the Tracker bits that embody an extended flat-track-inspired seat and cowl and the up-spec Öhlins 43-millimeter inverted entrance forks and rear shock with adjustable compression and rebound damping. These are very good items of equipment, however potential patrons ought to be conscious that the entrance suspension tacks an additional $1,950 and the rear provides one other $950. The low-mount slip-on Akrapovič seems and sounds nice however provides $1,600 to the sticker.
The bottom FTR 1200 begins at a buck below $13,000 that makes use of an analog gauge cluster as a substitute of the check bike’s digital unit and doesn’t include selectable experience modes, lean-sensitive ABS, stability management, traction management or wheelie management. There’s a FTR R Carbon version for $17,000 that provides, you guessed it, carbon fiber bodywork together with high-end Öhlins suspension parts. It might make extra sense to go along with the Carbon mannequin as a substitute of replicating the upgrades of this tester. Lastly, the Rally mannequin prices $13,999 and is aimed on the rider who might miss the older bike’s distinctive character, and will get knobby tires and a extra relaxed handlebar setup.
Using the 2022 FTR 1200 S is a blast. It’s a secure experience, however nonetheless feels aggressive. Its V-twin received’t set any dyno information, however it responds instantly to throttle inputs and feels prefer it provides greater than sufficient energy for a road bike no matter the place the needle factors on the tach. It’s probably not a rally-inspired machine anymore — word that the aforementioned Rally mannequin retains the scrambler-spec wheels and tires, however we haven’t examined it — however its place as a extra common streetbike means it’s applicable for all kinds of using situations.
It’s actually not excellent, although. Its small 3.4-gallon tank is just good for round 100 miles or so earlier than the rider might be anxiously trying to find a gasoline station. And it’s actually potential to discover a a lot faster bike for the same sum of money, albeit one which’s much more excessive strung, with extra track-appropriate ergonomics and fewer real-world energy at decrease engine speeds. We’d have extra enjoyable on the FTR in on a regular basis using circumstances, for no matter that’s value.
And that’s the entire level of the Indian FTR 1200, anyway. It’s totally different, extra refined, much less area of interest (although nonetheless not mainstream) and certain higher than earlier than for almost all of potential patrons. Above all else, it’s simply plain enjoyable to experience, and that’s sufficient to earn a suggestion.
