Motorcyclist Magazine: 2019 Indian FTR 1200 S First Ride Review

Indian Motorcycle sets its eye on a new class within the V-twin segment, inventing a fresh product category with its FTR 1200. 

Engineered in partnership with its championship-winning AFT Twins flat-track racing program, the 2019 FTR 1200 S is a road-legal street tracker and a worthy choice for motorcyclists who want to get sideways. 

To prove it, Indian Motorcycle invited us south of the border and into the Baja Peninsula to experience just how wild of a ride the FTR is…

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Don tests the Indian FTR1200 - with Moore Speed Racing, Poole

Today, I took some time out of the office to visit Colin Moore & his colleagues at Moore Speed Racing in Poole. A great day to do ~100 miles: fine dry weather!

I love going to bike shops, playing with new toys (buying them too!). Usually the guys & gals who work in bike shops are nice peeps. Colin & his colleagues at Moore Speed have just raised the bar! Everyone who I chatted with (maybe a dozen people) was friendly, polite & helpful. Moore Speed have a fantastic selection of new & used bikes, upgrades, parts & clothing. Their engineering facilities are especially impressive - from bike customisation to bespoke product machining!

I was really impressed with the Indian FTR1200. Colin had two demo bikes: a standard stock machine (which I rode & loved) & his own one which had the entire toy shop thrown at it (stunning!). The FTR that I rode was a lot of fun! When most people think of an American motorcycle, they think Harley. This isn't a Harley! It is compact, sporty - most definitely not a cruiser! Powerful - with a V-Twin 1200cc engine. Crack the throttle & the response is immediate. Handling is light & dynamic, with superb road-holding. Build quality is great, finish is lovely.

So, to sum up. If you are around Poole, or just fancy a trip to the south coast - visit Moore Speed Racing for a real treat. If you are undecided about your next bike, do checkout the FTR - it's a truly superb machine - I'd love one. Here are some pix from my visit, including my lovely tin mug which reads "Indian Test Rider" :0).

www.moorespeedracing.co.uk

Indian FTR: 1200, 750 & Street Tracker prototype!

Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone actually built a badass street tracker? 

Not just a quasi-cool ride like the old Honda Ascot or Harley Davidson XR1200, but a proper high-performance daily rider with a huge dose of flat-track style? 

Well, Indian has done it, or at least they seem poised to. The FTR1200 street tracker takes the engine of the Scout and slots it into what is essentially an FTR750 chassis. 

It’s a beast of a bike, and we got the opportunity to ride it.

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