When it was introduced for the 2019 model, The Indian FTR 1200 was a unique driving experience. With a large V-twin in a sports chassis, it was the endearing American entry into the bare bike market that buyers were longing for. It proved a great success for the Indian brand, impacting new markets and finding new buyers. The bike had some minor issues, however, which customers and reviewers agreed needed to fix.
(The full revelation: The Indian invited me to the beautiful and warm Phoenix of Arizona to test his recently revised FTR motorcycle. I paid for my own trip by traveling to the event with my own car instead of flying, although India hosted me in a good hotel and fed me good food. I paid for the company’s hospitality with one of their shiny new bikes next to a mountain.)
The 18- and 19-inch wheels inspired by the FTR flat track were hard to find. Her big V-shaped twin produced a lot of heat. The handlebars were a bit wide and engine management meant that cold starts were frustrating at best. But for the 2022 model, India has solved all these problems to make the FTR much less marginal than it used to be. Seventeen-inch wheels mean tires are plentiful and tight. The lower seat makes it easier to drive. Several suspension adjustments make it handle better than ever. Cold starts are now as soft as butter. Deactivating the rear cylinder and better aerodynamics around the radiator make the bike run cooler.
And despite all these improvements, I somehow feel like I like the old one a little better.
They say the grass is always greener on the other side, and nowhere is it more true than the fence that divides the old FTR from the new. When I went with the old bike, I knew what would make a better bike, I regretted that those things were not included in the design from the beginning and now that I have experienced what I was asking for, I realize that I loved the old bike not in spite of its imperfections, but for them. By the way, the 2022 bike is definitely a better bike than the one it replaces, but something strange, the uniqueness and the soul is missing.
Were Oddball’s 18- and 19-inch flat track wheels integral to what the FTR is? Somehow I think they could be. Stylistically and physically, the 2019 bike is taller and more imposing, which helped make it an icon of bike design during the decade. The new smaller wheels are lighter, offer better tire options and make the bike more complete, but they make it look, circulate and feel a bit like any other sport naked today.
Power remains the same impressive 120 horsepower and 87 lb-ft of torque. Power has never been the problem with the FTR, as it is a very strong monster. The new 17-inch Metzeler Sportec M9 RR tires are tougher than Dunlop block tires. Smoother, more treatable throttle entries and a more vertical front fork help improve road driving as they are less bumpy and more predictable. pretty good, unless you are an idiot like me. By all empirical measures, the new FTR is among the largest motorcycles in the world.
I’ve had a theory for a long time, and the improvements to this bike only make me push further down this particular basin. And if, by continually demanding products, they improve with each iteration, do we actually make them worse? The existing FTR was incredibly good; among the best bikes I’ve ever done. But reviewers and customers are conditioned to look for minor defects and yell at them until the manufacturer fixes them. These flaws were fixed to bring the FTR closer to the perfect market. The unfortunate side effect is that by clearing the image of the FTR, it has become the sensation of so many other bikes in this class. Is it better to be better or is it better to be unique?
I don’t want to get too stuck in this, because India has promised that more FTR iterations will come to get back on the bike that stepped step of flat track. And most changes, from engine management to rear cylinder deactivation to cooling upgrades, will be welcome regardless of the look and feel of the bike. If the company can combine the uninterrupted stallion nature of the 2019 motorcycle with smooth, fresh engine upgrades for 2022, it could be the Goldilocks motorcycle.
How is the 2022 bike different?
The 17-inch wheels replace the 19-inch front and 18-inch rear of the outgoing bike. These new wheels and some minor changes contribute to a bike that is 12 pounds lighter.
The front fork rake has tilted up to 25 degrees. The road has been reduced to 3.9 inches. The handlebar has been reduced by 1.5 centimeters.
The seat height has been reduced 1.4 inches with a smaller seat and a shorter suspension travel. This is great for shorter riders, but at 6’2 “I felt a little more bent in this version.
Engine management and a more imposing radiator cover contribute to smoother operation and cooler two-liter V-two-liter operation. Deactivating the rear cylinder while idling means less heat and hopefully less swamp ass in traffic.
How was The Ride?
Well, apart from the incident it was a wonderful walk. Set in the warmth and beauty of suburban Phoenix, Arizona, with a beautiful Sonoran Desert backdrop, I couldn’t have asked for more pleasant driving conditions. The roads to Tortilla Flat were curved and smooth.
Surrounded on all sides by terracotta rock outcrops, brobdingnagian mountains and ancient saguars, the FTR and the pilot looked perfectly at home in the American West. Even with the taming work India has done for 2022, the bike remains a cheeky beast roaring through the open plains and echoing its cannon walls. I feel the connection to the motorcycle that a 19th century prospector might have felt with his mule seeking fortune on these hills full of gold and silver. We rode together because that’s what we had to do.
Without any protection from the wind, I am attacked on all sides by the hot, strong desert air. I’ve done a few thousand miles on various FTR models, so that’s no surprise, but a full day of unprotected driving can get tiring, and even more so when it’s hot and dry running. Stay hydrated. The trip is worth it.
The FTR is still an absolute blast, but it no longer feels so vulgar. He has lost that pastix of backward imperfection. Indian skipped the 2021 model for the FTR, but it looks like the two bikes are separated by decades of progress. The outgoing bike, particularly in the unassisted base mode with analog indicators, felt legitimate and won in 1968 as a nuisance. The new bike looks like it was built in 2022. Both things are good and bad.
The engine is still a jewel shit. The Indian should power all his bikes with this engine. Damn, there are some cars that would improve this engine.
Main takeaway meals
Fuel savings and consumption are still quite poor and, as before, you would be lucky enough to get 100 miles from a refueling. Engine cooling is definitely improving, but a 1200 cc engine can’t be prevented from running hot. On a hot day, it will still make you hot. The bike doesn’t have heated grips yet, so wear warm gloves on a cold day (although you can get them as a dealer accessory).
All this is less shit, because this bike is a great thing to ride. Of course Indian has built a mega machine when I can go through several paragraphs complaining about how too good it is.
Prices and programming
The base model has dropped in price to $ 12,999, which is a hell of a price for this bike. For 2022, the base model now includes an adjustable suspension, which means a totally quick upgrade. Given the choice, this is the one I would like to take home. Great value for money, because basically you’re just buying an engine with a seat on top, which is how you should enjoy this old bike.
The S model now starts at $ 14,999 and comes standard with many teams that the high-priced Race Replica version had last year. Crucially, the S now comes standard with the Akrapovič titanium exhaust, which sounds really wonderful. Of course, the S still has the TFT control screen, adjustable driving modes, Bosch advanced traction control and more.
The replica of the race has been replaced with a new Carbon R model that will cost you $ 16,999. For this price, you’ll get up-to-date Ohlins remote shock absorbers and a plethora of great carbon fiber accessories. If you want to do all-in, this is the way to do it. Honestly, this could turn into a fun track toy
The FTR Rally model remains virtually unchanged during 2022 at $ 13,999. If you want an urban whirlpool, it’s hard to beat this machine.