Indian FTR1200 Toshihiro Wakayama's Test Ride Review
The great sense of Cornering and Stability
FTR1200, designed by INDIAN, is an on-road sport infused with the essence of the Flat Track Works Machine, FTR750. The front and rear wheel diameters are 19/18inches (the race machine is 19inches both front and rear), and when the wheelbase is 1524mm, 100mm longer than Pure Road Sports, it gives the rider an image that it's not going to make a sharp turns.
But in fact, as you can see from the video, it obviously turns quite well. The traditional balance of 19&18-inches front and rear wheel are still impressive as they lead the motorcycle persistently without showing off its turning performance.
Turns you make with FTR1200 is… flexible, or I can say more like “elegant”. There is no tendency to understeer at all which similar types of motorcycle tend to have. This motorcycle actually turns quite quick with very natural input to the handle. Even though FTR1200 has a big front wheel, the rider won’t need to twist the handles nor lean upper body inward to trigger the turn. Without any sense of its dull weight, FTR1200 will draw a natural arc of a turn.
And one more thing, I think the good point of the rigidity balance has a huge contribution to its performance. The rigidity of the curb weight has been just enough which makes the entire body of the motorcycle turns smoothly. It seems to like it turns so well and enhances its stability at high-speed. The reason why the pivot shaft is supported by the crankcase is that it shortens the distance of the wheelbase which may also give a positive effect in terms of rigidity balance.
And, the stroke of the front and rear suspension is as large as 150mm which works well on the inconsistent condition of the road surface. Because of that combined with a large diameter front wheel, you can confidently join in a real cornering even in rough or with the sand road surface. I think you can clearly understand it if you watch the test ride video.
The flat tracker's philosophy which competes in a rough dirt road run to a higher dimension in a realistic winding road instead of having it in the circuit.
An extreme Design because of the Flat Tracker Lineage
The riding position with an upright upper body posture is comfortable, easy to handle, and less stress for city riding because its forward vision is also good. We owe this to the large diameter wheel and extended suspension. It does not affect you even riding on the irregular road surface. It's cutting angle is also larger than the recent Naked model which helps to improve maneuverability. It is also suitable for city riding.
The engine is given an engine displacement of 1200cc, which is the largest in sport V-Twin, but the maximum power is reduced to 120ps, and it can run at full torque over the entire city. Moreover, the feeling is mild and smooth while riding, so it is full of tenderness. And it can run powerfully while cruising comfortably.
But, I am just disappointed on my height. I am 161cm tall. The foot grounding is like an Adventure and it is not good for me, but I don’t take those negative issues seriously. The fuel tank was placed under the seat to achieve lower center gravity, mass concentration and improves stability when stepping on the ground.
This FTR1200 has FTR750 work machine as a motif. But, it’s not a Flat Tracker. The preeminent and adaptability to the public roads of this model are improved by inheriting the character of FTR750 model. With all the above that I explained, I thought I’d better categorize FTR1200 as a whole new type of motorcycle that never has existed before.
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