Indian FTR 1200 review from KNOX
This is our full review of one of the biggest bikes for Indian since the company started, the Indian FTR 1200. Designed and based off the Indian FTR 750 flat track race winning machine, the FTR1200 leans heavily on that format not only from a styling point of view, but from the way the bike rides too! We were lucky enough to get hold of the FTR 750 to shoot our Handroid MKIV and Urbane Pro campaign last year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf477PP6bho and we used the FTR1200 to help launch our 2020 collection https://www.planet-knox.com/category/new-for-2020/, so you can say we are fans!
In our minds at least, the Indian FTR1200 is a unique bike that has a really broad appeal to riders who want a bike to light their fire again.
The Indian definitely delivers on that last point, a muscle bound 1200cc Vtwin with 120hp and 85ftlb torque being the culprit, providing storming midrange grunt and power that will surprise many a sportsbike! We took the torquiest motor we had at the time which was the Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx and put it up against the FTR in roll on performance, and in the vast majority of cases, the FTR took the trophy!
The combination of the flat track cues, the way the chassis is set up, the fire breathing motor, and arguable lack of rear wheel grip makes for a tyre shredding machine like we’ve never ridden before! If rolling burnouts and powerslides (mostly in the wet) are up your street, Indian FTR 1200 is happy to oblige! If all that sounds a bit scary (which it is the first time) then rest assured that this is what the bike is kind of built for and makes it easier and more controllable than you could ever imagine. The standard FTR 1200 model we had doesn’t have any rider aids or traction control, although does have ABS, and this adds to the character of a pure, slightly on the edge, muscle bike.
There are other models available that have riding modes and traction control such as the Indian FTR1200s and the all-new Indian FTR 1200 carbon.
The Indian is also a quality unit, beautiful finishing and detailing throughout, brembo brakes with braided lines, cruise control and much more. It’s this level of finish combined with the riding experience and power that justifies the FTR’s price tag.
There are a couple of quirky things with the Indian FTR 1200 that we mention in the video, but none of them are deal breakers and in a way add to the brutish muscle bike appeal.
In the video, we mention a few links which you can find below to Knox gear we were using to protect us on the road and some other links.
Aaron was wearing:
Knox Urbane Pro Shirt https://www.planet-knox.com/product/urbane-pro-armoured-shirt/
Knox Richmond MKII Jean https://www.planet-knox.com/product/richmond-motorcycle-jeans-for-men/
Handroid POD MKIV https://www.planet-knox.com/product/handroid-pod-gloves/
Trekker Rucksack https://www.planet-knox.com/product/knox-trekker-rucksack/
Geoff was wearing
Knox Urbane Pro Utility Shirt in Olive https://www.planet-knox.com/product/urbane-pro-armoured-utility-shirt/?attribute_pa_colour=olive&attribute_pa_size=m
Knox Shield Jean https://www.planet-knox.com/product/shield-single-layer-spectra-denim-mens-jeans/
Hanbury MKII Gloves https://www.planet-knox.com/product/hanbury-glove/
Ryder Rucksack https://www.planet-knox.com/product/knox-ryder-rucksack/
We also mention Jekyll and Hyde exhausts as an innovative exhaust option for the FTR, this can be found here, https://jekillandhyde.com/
As discussed in the video, Devitt insurance provided us a quote for this machine for Mr Average for £201.80/year Fully Comp. Details as below and here, https://www.devittinsurance.com/motor…. Based on a 40 year old married Bank Clerk, living in LA13, 2020 Indian FTR 1200. Kept in a Garage, held full bike license since 2000. Bike has Biketrac and a Datatool S4 C1 Red security. No accidents or claims. Comp cover, 3000 miles, 5 years protected NCD and just SDP use.
Finally, all the latest specification and images of the Indian FTR1200 are available here https://www.indianmotorcycle.co.uk/ft…
As you can tell, we love the Indian FTR 1200 and hope you do too! Please like, comment and subscribe to the KNOX channel, and we’ll see you next time.
Aaron
KNOX
source
