INDIAN FTR1200 (2019 - 2021) Review

Indian have created a beautiful, but gnarly flat track-inspired street hooligan that’s not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. It’s a character trait deliberately built in to make the Indian FTR1200 S stand out from the crowd and few modern machines offer the same drama or challenge to the rider.

• Latest news: S&S Cycle reveal riding modes for FTR1200

It makes other retros seem soft and fluffy by comparison. For spirited riding it would be nice to have less instant power and more rear grip, but for the rest of the time it’s a class act - built like an exquisite Tonka toy, comfortable, well equipped, packed with US of A-grade character.

Eicma 2019: Introducing the Indian FTR1200 Rally

For 2020, Indian have added a new 'Rally' version of the FTR1200 to their line-up. Using the same basic engine, frame and ancillaries as the 2019 bike, the new model has received a number of subtle tweaks to turn it into more of a rugged retro, than flat tracking hooligan.

Featuring a new metallic paint scheme, complete with classic Indian headdress logo on the tank, the Rally is fitted with new aluminium wire wheels shod with off-road biased Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres.

Helping to complete the look is a red pinstripe, as well as a brown dual seat and small tinted screen, surrounding the circular LED headlight. Much the same as the existing FTRs, the new model gains cruise control and a USB fast charging port. The new ProTaper bars have also been raised by 50mm for greater comfort, too.

For some additional individuality, the bike is compatible with over 40 accessories developed specifically for the FTR range.

The FTR1200 was replaced in 2021 by the Indian FTR.

Watch Michael Neeves' Indian FTR1200 S video review below:

It may look like just another 'On Any Sunday' inspired tribute, but the FTR1200 S has a bit more about it than that. Built to mimic the American firm’s dominant FTR 750 flat track racer it’s more than just striking good looks and quality, although it’s not a bad place to start.

The Indian is calm and comfy, has lots of legroom and a comfy stretch to the bars. It’s a classy little number, but the FTR1200 can be a lively beast when you push it, where you’ll discover it’s as gusty as its racy little sideways brother, wearing shoes of steel and spewing out more power than its skinny rear 150-section Dunlop DT3-R race replica tyre knows what to do with.

You need to treat the Indian like the big road-going flat tracker it is and when you do it comes alive in your hands, squirting from corner to corner and staying the hell away from those knobbly tyre edges. You can even turn traction and ABS off, on the move, once you’ve got the hang of it, for flat track-style stunting.

Ever since their resurgence in 2014 Indian have had a knack of creating fine handling motorcycles. Their cruisers are more fun on UK roads than they have any right to be and the Bobber stops, turns and goes so well in corners you wish it had 17-inch wheels and tyres to see what it could really do.

Sitting on its 18-inch rear and 19 front the FTR1200 S has a long, stable stars and stripes feel to it. Brakes are superb and wide bars give you the leverage to nudge that big front hoop into a corner with a gentle, pleasing resistance.

Front end feel is sublime, but it’s a different story at the rear and that’s simply down to those blocky-tread tyres, specially developed by Dunlop for Indian to mimic the DT3 rubber fitted to the FTR 750 racer.

All the time you have a machine with such an eager engine and so little edge grip you need to be careful with the throttle in slow, low rpm corners. Even on sun-baked tarmac the FTR1200 S’ rear end never needs a second invitation to let go when the power comes cascading in.

That might sound hairy and it’s nerve wracking at first until you know it’s coming, but grip disappears so early that everything happens in slow motion and it’s easy to catch, especially if you take those upright, V-shaped lines in and out of turns.

Traction control bails you out if things get too loose and through higher speed corners, when you’re further up the revs and away from that instant torque, grip isn’t as much of an issue.

Ride quality on our test bike is on the firm side. We didn’t get the chance to experiment with fork and shock settings during the FTR’s launch, but the standard version has a plusher, more forgiving ride. It wouldn’t take too much time to replicate that set-up on the S model.

There’s no mistaking from where the FTR1200 hails. The 121bhp, 1203cc V-twin’s weighty feel and pulverising low-down grunt screams Americana.

Like its cruiser cousins the Indian is happy to glide serenely along, but spin the ride-by-wire throttle to the stop, to wake the motor from its slumber and you’re rewarded with a face full of speed, drama, sultry sounds and the perfect dose of V-twin vibes.

So far so good, but the FTR1200 S’s power delivery is too instant, on and off the throttle, especially in the prickliest of its riding modes: Sport. Flicking into Standard takes the edge off its battering bottom end, but it still doesn’t have that smooth, reassuring throttle connection you want to control 231kg of hot, throbbing metal.

Developed for the FTR1200 in collaboration with Swissauto, Indian’s high compression V-twin has a gas flowed head, dual throttle bodies, ride by wire, magnesium engine covers and an FTR 750-inspired power-assist slipper clutch.

Indian’s cruiser ranges have proved to be well built and dependable. Expect more of the same from the FTR1200 S.

During 2019 former MCN News Editor Jordan Gibbons spent 4600 miles on the Indian FTR1200. In general he found it an enjoyable companion, but not without foibles - chief among which were the standard tyres.

You get a lot of metal, technology and goodies for your money and the still-superb base model is even easier on the wallet. To take things further, Indian offer four styling packs, as well as a roster of individual accessories to make your FTR1200 your own.

It’s loaded with tasty morsels, too: Brembos, fully-adjustable Sachs suspension, an underseat fuel tank, LED lights and Bosch IMU-enabled lean-sensitive traction control and ABS.

Indian’s 4.3-inch touch-screen multi-function Bluetooth dash seems complicated, but everything from choosing riding modes to which of the three displays you desire is easy to do with a swipe and a prod. Featuring an in-built USB charger.

The FTR1200 comes in three different levels of trim, the standard model, an S version and a Race Replica above that.

The standard Indian FTR1200 comes in an all black paintjob and has analogue clocks (with no range indicator), basic ABS and no traction control. You also don't get any rider modes, a non-adjustable fork and a shock that is adjustable for preload and compression only.

If you plump for the S, you get fully adjustable suspension, a TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity and full IMU-enabled lean sensitive traction control, including engine braking control.

The RR version includes everything you get on the S model, plus a red frame, Akrapovic exhaust system and racing tank covers.

Indian FTR1200 accessory packs

Revealed at the 2018 Eicma trade show in Milan, Indian produce four optional extra accessory kits for the Indian FTR1200 range, allowing you to make your bike truly your own.

What's more, there are also over 40 individual bolt-ons available for purchase, ranging from Akrapovič exhausts to different handlebar grips. The four kits are detailed below:

Tracker: The Tracker collection reflects the FTR1200’s rich flat track heritage and transforms the bike’s appearance to reflect that of the FTR750 race bike it was heavily based on. A shallow seat is complemented by a re-worked seat cowl and high-mounted Akrapovič slip-on cans. A side-mounted number plate bracket helps neaten up the rear end, too.

Rally: Rugged aluminum spoked wheels set this kit apart from the other three in the range, with the entire ethos surrounding this collection being exploring off the beaten track. Once again, a high-mounted Akrapovič exhaust features on the Rally collection alongside rally handlebars by ProTaper and a high-mounted number plate holder.

Sport: The Sport collection is littered with carbon fibre, draped across the front mudguard, tank cover and seat cowl. Once more, there is an Akrapovič slip-on end can, however this time it is low-slung to remain in-keeping with the rest of the design.

Tour: Kicking things off with a water-resistant, roll-top side messenger bag, the Tour collection is all about usability. Combined with a tank bag, and a screen, it is aimed at remaining comfortable over extended periods.