2 019 I N D I A N F T R 12 0 0 / F T R 12 0 0 S
F I R S T R E V I E W
P86
looks very similar with tread blocks
slightly closer together, a shal-
lower treat depth and more silica to
improve overall grip but especially
wet-weather performance.
Dry claimed weight is 488
pounds for the base model and
489 pounds dry for the S.
In the cockpit, there are more
differences between the base
and S models. Both bikes come
with cruise control as standard,
although the base model comes
with an old-school style analog
speedo with the revs in a little
digital readout at the base. The
S gets a beautiful 4.3-inch Ride
Command touch screen unit simi-
lar to the ones found on the Chief-
tain lineup. Within the screen,
you can get two different styles of
read out, and it's extremely easy
to change not just the ride mode
you're in but also switch ABS and
traction control off. ABS and TC
are not switchable on the base
model, even though both bikes run
a Bosch six-axis IMU for the lean-
angle-sensitive traction control,
ABS and wheelie control, so if you
wanna do wheelies and skids, you
need to buy the 1200 S.
Getting it done in
MX—testing the
FTR 1200 S
Mexico riding can be a little
sketchy at times, so that made
the 45 miles we covered of
sand on a bike designed 95
percent for the street all the
more intense. It also showed
that this is a motorcycle, a bit
like an adventure bike, that you
can take almost anywhere.
Riding a big bike on sand is a
challenge, to say the least, but
once I got to understand the
language of the FTR, it really
wasn't that bad. Switch the ABS
and TC off, get up off the seat,
put the 1203cc motor in fifth
gear, keep the revs down and
just let the bike pull you over
the sand. With 5.9 inches of
front and rear suspension travel,
you'd have to be pretty harsh
indeed to bottom the thing out,
and with a genuinely surprising
level of grip on offer from the
Dunlop DT3-R tires, riding on
the sand was an entirely enjoy-
able—if intense—experience.
The sand riding also high-
lighted how smooth and flexible
the FTR motor is, especially when
you keep the revs down. Putting
the ECU in Rain mode for 94
horsepower was the go, with a
smooth and predictable throttle
response on offer. It made me
think this engine would be great
If all you're doing is road
riding, the standard FTR 1200
is an excellent machine with
plusher suspension damping.
