Indian FTR Rally 2020 — Specifications

Can an American motorcycle reinvent itself without betraying its DNA? By arriving with its FTR 1200, Indian dared to make a bold bet: to transpose the wild soul of flat track to the road, and above all, to shake up the mechanical codes of Milwaukee. This is far from the monstrous and lazy torque; here, the 1203 cm3 V2 engine delivers 126 horsepower and 120 Nm at 6000 rpm, figures that seriously tickle European roadsters, not just Harleys. It's lively, nervous, almost a provocation in the world of customs.

The Rally version, for its part, pushes the concept a step further. With its 19 and 18-inch spoked wheels, its Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires with large blocks, and its small windscreen, it displays a desire for escape. But don't be fooled: at 240 kg fully fueled and with only 13 liters under the tank, it's not a born adventurer. The 183 mm ground clearance and the 840 mm seat height allow for a few deviations on stabilized paths, but it remains fundamentally a roadster dressed for urban adventure. The test of the Indian FTR Rally confirms it: it excels at transforming a mundane journey into a small epic, without ever claiming to be a true off-road machine.

On the saddle, the riding position is relaxed thanks to an elevated ProTaper handlebar, a real plus for everyday use or long stretches. The equipment is solid: Brembo brakes, adjustable suspensions, cruise control, a USB port, and a minimalist but readable dashboard. For a price approaching 15,000 euros, the Indian FTR Rally positions itself as a charismatic alternative to a Triumph Scrambler 1200, more authentically all-terrain, or a Ducati DesertX, more radical. Its flaw? This weight that reminds you in tight corners, where a lighter machine would be more mischievous.

So, who is the rider of this Indian? An urban dweller seeking distinction, a traveler who prefers country roads to highways, or perhaps a curious motorcyclist disappointed by the uniformity of roadsters. The FTR Rally, especially used, offers a unique character, a raspy sound, and an attitude that stands out. It won't be the most performant, nor the most versatile, but it will make you smile with every start. And sometimes, that's all that matters.