Indian FTR 1200

Personally, I'm kinda excited by this machine. To my eye it looks pretty versatile. I can see this becoming a baseline platform capable of being offered in a variety of different styles - Sport Touring, ADV, Scrambler etc.
Many possibilities....

2019 Indian FTR 1200 Motorcycle | Indian Motorcycle

+120hp/ 85 tq
+Fast charge USB on the dash
+Strong LED headlamp setup
+Cruise control standard
- 3.4 gal tank
- 508 lbs wet
- Adjustable suspension?
- Single side luggage option only with available exhaust

I'm not in love with the style but it would be a great bar hopper.

The S model has adjustable front and rear suspension at a higher price point. Possibly too pricey, though it also includes an electronics upgrade with TC + riding modes and a touchscreen dashboard with mobile device integration (all standard on many bikes these days).

I hadn't even noticed the various style packages offered when I posted this. I like that the rally package has spoke wheels. Looking at the cost of those packages the price goes into nearly astronomical territory ~ $20K (S model plus package).
For that kind of money there's other more well featured choices....

Also that angled exhaust is problematic... Makes me think of the 87 Super Magna - don't leave it in the rain....

In the past couple days new riding reviews for the FTR1200 have started popping up and I've been paying attention to them. It's got me chuckling so far. Listening to and reading the reviewers I'm really starting to get the impression that Indian has succeeded in making a Hyperstrada. By this I mean a bike that is a jack of all trades master of none situation. Seems it has many of the same drawbacks and strengths ultimately culminating in a good commuter bike that's also fun on mountain roads.
That's just my impression. Riding it would probably leave me with a different one altogether.

philthymike said:

https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/ftr1200/

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Reminds me of the Duc 1200 Monster, only less power...

BadToTheBown said:

Reminds me of the Duc 1200 Monster, only less power...

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There's a few reviewers also said it's monster like.

My Flatracker

Ccm ft6

philthymike said:

There's a few reviewers also said it's monster like.

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It looks good and the journos who reviewed it have loved it. I've spoken to several people who put deposits down months ago and quickly asked for their deposit back after taking a test ride. Apparently it's very underwhelming. Seat is too high, handling is slow/heavy, bike feels heavier than it is, feels under powered, brakes are ok-nothing special ect. Aesthetically? It's a good looking bike but the performance doesn't really measure up to the specs or anything that it's compared to(unless you compare it to a HD). I haven't actually ridden one. I have no desire to, even if the performance was there they want way too much $$ for the S model, around 20K otd? No thanks. I have spoken to 6 or 8 people who have test ridden both a standard & the S and no one I talked to was remotely interested after the test ride. Also, the people I talked all rode different bikes; cruisers, sportbikes, adv, sexy nakeds you name it and no one was impressed by the FTR. Kinda sad really given how hyped up all the reviews were made out about it.

If everyone listened to anecdotal evidence and opinions no one would ever buy a bike.

philthymike said:

In the past couple days new riding reviews for the FTR1200 have started popping up and I've been paying attention to them. It's got me chuckling so far. Listening to and reading the reviewers I'm really starting to get the impression that Indian has succeeded in making a Hyperstrada. By this I mean a bike that is a jack of all trades master of none situation. Seems it has many of the same drawbacks and strengths ultimately culminating in a good commuter bike that's also fun on mountain roads.
That's just my impression. Riding it would probably leave me with a different one altogether.

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The hyperstrada is fantastic at being a hyperstrada, and I hope the Indian is the best ftr1200 it can be.

I wouldn't call multiple first hand, real world accounts anecdotal, specially when everyone I talked to seemed to come to the same conclusion. I do understand what you're saying though. Everyone has an opinion and just because 1 person thinks the bike is over-hyped it doesn't mean the next guy won't fall in love with it. I considered putting a deposit to get a test ride but there's just no way I could see myself paying 20k+ for that motorcycle. So, there was really no point in me going for a test ride.

Yeh, in general it's so hard to get test rides - kind of crazy to have to buy a bike by guesswork.

It seems like nowadays there's only a few brands willing to give test rides anymore. BMW & HD are the only ones that come to mind. Apparently Indian will if you put a deposit to show your serious. When I bought my Triumph and Ducati both dealers made me fill out all the paperwork to complete the deal and basically said when that's all done you can go for the test ride. If you like it the deal is done, if you don't we'll tear up the paperwork. If you bin it you own it LOL.

The dealer here in SF let me sit on the 939 SP on the showroom floor and that was it. I already had a base 821 and a cashiers check so the deal was gonna happen anyway but it would have been nice to take it for a spin.

Although I ordered my Strada before they even started delivering them in the US, I was invited to an already scheduled customer ride about a month after doing the paperwork. Got to ride a Strada and a Diavel. Most were customers that had purchased from them in the past and were on kinda a VIP list. I still get invited to them to try new models. A good shop that wants long term business will let you test drive.

I figure if you sign the waiver and provide proof of insurance, knock yourself out. I can see shops wanting you to follow an employee for parental supervision.