Indian’s brave new naked
New FTR1200 road bike is more than just a pretty flat-track refugee. It packs 120bhp and will cost under £12k…
NDIAN’S ROLL CONTINUES. After handing Harley its flattrack racing arse for the last two seasons, then drawing gasps with the FTR1200 Custom concept last year, along come these, the FTR1200S and FTR1200 road bikes. Because of the concept bike, we expected breathtaking good looks. What comes as more of a surprise is the power. Indian are claiming 120bhp from the 1203cc V-twin, which lifts it far above similarly butch-looking Harleys (the Fat Bob makes just 75bhp) and will give Ducati’s 83bhp 1100 Scrambler a heart attack. The liquid-cooled engine is based around the Scout Sixty motor, but is comprehensively reworked. It has a 12.5:1 compression ratio (compared with the Scout Sixty’s 11:1), high flow cylinder heads, dual throttle bodies and a lighter crank that gives a higher – though as yet undisclosed – redline. Both the S and base model share the same engine, chassis, riding position, and radial Brembo brakes. The fuel tank is under the seat for a lower center of gravity and to leave room for the airbox directly above the engine to optimise airflow – just like the FTR750 race bike. Both models have a similar rear suspension and swingarm to the FTR750 race bike and get full LED lighting. There’s even a USB port, for all those important connected devices, and cruise control. On top of that, the S model gets fully adjustable front and rear suspension, an LCD touch screen with Bluetooth compatibility, lean-angle sensitive ABS and traction control, and three ride modes (Sport, Standard, Rain). Prices start at £11,899 for the base model and £12,999 for the S. Bikes arrive in spring 2019.