Indian FTR1200 review: Premium, powerful and jazzy

NEW DELHI: The Indian Motorcycles carried the legacy, infused the art in motorcycling and delivered a product capable of flat-track race. That started with the FTR750 and after much success on the dirt ovals of America, it was always a matter of time for Indian to up their game, draw something on the canvas -- sculpted with a bigger heart and a sporty intent.And here it arrives.
Welcome the all-new FTR1200, a worthy attempt by Indian to shift the focus from large, beefy cruisers. Relying on premium parts, this one is a sure head-turner. We spent some time in the saddle of FTR1200 and enjoyed the enviable attention it garnered on the road. Well, on the performance front, here is how our first ride on the flat-track bike unfolded:

How does it look?
Reached for the early morning ride, not yet out of the overnight sleepiness entirely. Even before riding, the first sight at the FTR1200 sprung my heart with warmth. A clean design sheet with handsome looking front cluster, neat rear end and point-and-shoot features were instantly appealing. My initial response was Indian's bid to appeal to a wider audience through the FTR1200 was a 'mission accomplished'.
The integrated tail lamps section and retro-themed headlamp cluster take the vintage route with a modern touch. On the move or even when parked up, there’s a lot to like about the FTR1200. The black stripe running through the tank, intricate detailing on the Indian insignia, dual-port upswept exhaust, minimal mudguard and a naked engine compartment tick all the right boxes on the looks domain.

Rounding it off is a 4.3.-inch TFT screen, which can be operated using joystick or directly, with gloves wore or off them. The tech-savvy Indian comes equipped with onboard Bluetooth feature, making your life easier for navigation. That's not it. Hear music while riding, toggle through the host of features and more using the TFT screen. To sum up, Indian took a leap from analogue-like treatment to deliver an interactive dashboard, with least wizardry.
Talking about the exciting dash, helps me take you through the pack of hardware. Rain, standard, and sport modes alter throttle response in a planned manner, with a switchable lean-sensitive ABS.

How does it perform?
Indian promises that the FTR1200 can pile up miles -- from city streets, to speeding highways, to narrow mountain passes and sandy dirt roads. Honestly, not all could be explored in our first go, but the limited time with the bike left us with several things to cheer.

Indian has been projecting it will move beyond cruisers and touring bikes, and the FTR 1200, is the first step towards building an everyday roadster. A torquey 1203 cc V-twin engine tuned to deliver 120 horsepower and 115 Nm of torque is mounted on the central part. Supremely stable at low and mid-range, the redline doesn’t hit until 9,000 rpm. Power is controlled by a six-speed transmission, a slip-and-assist clutch through a chain drive. All the packaging is within a steel trellis frame, with an aluminium subframe.

Numbers apart, the FTR1200 is quick, however, not lightning but simply chews miles on the highway at an excess of 140 kmph with a grin. Hoping on to the 840 mm saddle can be a little difficult at the outset. Once you do that, the flat and wide handlebar, a comfortable bench-type seat and mildly-rear set footpegs create the perfect ergonomics to go on and on.
Wring the throttle and in no time you find yourself talking to the wind, cruising well over the double digits. Even if you hit the 160kmph-mark on the speedometer, the FTR1200 is not out of breath, offering ample performance to pull further. However, what would hold you back is the windblast. No flyscreen upfront means, the rider encounters a gush of air and its shrill noise.

How good are the cycle part?
Before we again get into numbers, I must inform that the FTR1200 is unintimidating even in the city traffic. A 26.3-degree rake and 5.1-inch trail make the steering geometry uncomplicated and amazes how swift the bike is at finishing the tight corners. Don't worry about mid-corner bubbles. The stability is also a strong point, with very confidence-aspiring cornering clearance and nice braking feel. That's when you really start admiring the motor.

All-new Dunlop DT3-R tires were designed specifically for the Indian FTR1200, a 150/80R18 rear and a 120/70R19 upfront. The suspension set up includes telescopic front forks and the rear spring strut. The off-roading can get quite slippery due to 150 mm travel, however, we really couldn't ride it through the dirt.

The front-wheel employs a dual Brembo M4.32 monoblock four-piston calipers and a Brembo P34 two-piston caliper covers rear braking duties, with superb stopping strength. You can always switch the ABS off, and create a picture-perfect Instagram moment. Wait, hit the kill switch button or the engine heat is really going to give you some tough time.
Verdict:
Highly dynamic, the Indian FTR1200 walks a territory least charted. The premium bits and splendid performance keep you excited, and nothing can take away the bike's swanky demeanour. Starting at Rs 14.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the FTR1200 can just be the dream bike inaccessible to most. The premium segment, however, is mostly driven by the aspirations and Indian FTR1200 is here to surely make a mark, in a very American way.