The 2019 Indian FTR 1200 is Just Plain Awesome
The 2019 Indian FTR 1200 is just plain awesome
The world needs more motorcycles like the upcoming Indian FTR 1200. Machines that side-step traditional conventions, draw from real experiences, and move the market forward.
As the popularity of custom motorcycles and café racers continues to rise, there is plenty of room for bikes like this one. And it’s not just because the FTR is another pretty face. Indian Motorcycles has been involved in flat-track racing for decades, and the FTR is a stunning homage to their absolute domination of the 2017 American Flat Track Manufacturer’s Championship where they took first, second, and third.
From Indian’s website: “The FTR 1200, inspired by the dominance of Indian Motorcycle in flat track racing, will be going into production. While a formal release date has not been set, plans point toward the bike going on sale in 2019. The announcement comes in response to months of speculation and demand for a street version of the wildly successful FTR750 – a purpose-built flat track racer that has dominated the American Flat Track professional racing series since its introduction in 2017.”
Indian CEO Steve Menneto unveiled a concept of this bike named the FTR1200 Custom earlier this month in France at the Wheels and Waves festival. Fortunately, Indian’s ambition with the Custom extended beyond just a styling exercise. They sought out and listened to customer feedback to determine the viability of building a street-legal version.
Unsurprisingly, reactions were positive. Unfortunately, we won’t see FTR 1200 on the streets until 2019, but who cares when it could look this good.
Oh, and if you feel like you’re seeing things, you aren’t: the concept bike doesn’t have a space in its name, while the production bike does. It’s the little things.
The FTR1200 Custom has to be one of the most visually stunning motorcycles I’ve ever seen. I love the carbon fiber front fork guards and headlight surround (oh please, Indian, let that make it to the production version!) And the intricately machined engine cover and high and tight dual exhausts have us drooling in awe.
Full technical specifications aren’t yet known, but it’s likely the FTR will pack some iteration of the Indian Scout’s v-twin. If the Indian promo video is anything to go by, that engine and exhaust combo should sound like a pissed off dirtbike wielding a sledgehammer.
Price is also a mystery, but I’m willing to bet Indian won’t have any trouble selling every last example of the FTR they produce.
Other manufacturers take note of the FTR 1200. This is how you build tribute bike.