Indian FTR 1200 2022 — Specifications

What's an American brand known for its chrome-laden cruisers and long rides on the open road doing with a punchy roadster, built for corners and inspired by flat track racing? That's the sheer audacity of the Indian FTR 1200, a motorcycle that has been shaking up conventions since it first appeared in 2019 and which, in its 2022 vintage, sharpens its arguments even further. Born from the desire to transpose the DNA of the AMA championship-winning FTR 750 into a street machine, this Indian looks nothing like what Milwaukee or other American manufacturers offer. It plays on turf occupied by the Ducati Monster, Triumph Street Triple, and KTM 1290 Super Duke. It's a bold bet. And one that largely pays off.

The 1203 cc V-twin beating beneath the tubular steel trellis frame is no mere warmed-over custom engine. Indian started with the Scout's powerplant and transformed it thoroughly. The bore goes up to 102 mm, the compression ratio climbs to 12.5:1, the cylinder heads are redesigned, the throttle bodies doubled, the crankshaft lightened. The result on the Indian FTR 1200 spec sheet: 123 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 117.9 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. It falls short of a Monster 1200 or a Super Duke in raw power, but the character is different. This V-twin delivers generous torque from the midrange while willingly revving higher without complaint. The Euro 5 update also brings automatic rear cylinder deactivation at idle to prevent heat buildup in traffic. A detail that matters when riding in the city during summer.

On the chassis side, the 2022 model year marks a real turning point. Gone are the 19-inch adventure-style wheels, replaced by 17-inchers wearing Metzeler Sportec tires and a 150/70 rear. The rake angle tightens, suspension travel decreases, and most importantly the Öhlins damping becomes fully adjustable, front and rear. The seat drops to 780 mm, the handlebar loses 40 mm in width. The Indian FTR 1200 S pushes things further with Ride Command instrumentation, three engine maps, traction control, and stability control. For those wanting a premium Indian FTR 1200 experience, that's the version to aim for. The 1,524 mm wheelbase remains longer than a Monster's, and the 232.7 kg wet weight is a reminder that this Indian FTR 1200 is no lightweight. But the mass distribution, with the 12.9-liter tank tucked under the seat, delivers on its promise of agility. Brembo braking with radial-mount four-piston calipers up front rounds out a serious chassis package.

The styling still divides opinion, and that's a good thing. The round headlight packed with LEDs displays a light signature recognizable from a mile away. The cockpit remains understated with its ProTaper aluminum handlebar and circular gauge complemented by a digital screen. The massive exhaust on the right flank somewhat disrupts the lines, but the stripped-down left profile makes up for it. Cruise control and a USB port come standard, allowing you to switch between attacking corners and cruising along A-roads. The Indian FTR 1200 is also available in an A2-restricted version at 70 kW, opening the door to recently licensed riders who want to start on a machine with real character. Reviews of the Indian FTR 1200 often converge on this point: it appeals as much to experienced riders seeking originality as to less seasoned pilots drawn by its accessibility.

At €13,990, the Indian FTR 1200 price sits at the high end compared to a Street Triple RS or a Monster 937, but below a Super Duke. The used Indian FTR 1200 market is starting to offer 2019 or 2021 models at softer prices. Indian FTR 1200 accessories let you customize the beast, from the carbon version to the rally look. This motorcycle doesn't try to please everyone. It plows its own furrow, somewhere between a European roadster and an American custom, without truly belonging to either family. That's its strength, and perhaps its commercial limitation. But on the road, when the V-twin pulses and the chassis responds as you tip into a corner, you quickly forget which box you were trying to fit it into.