monoshock, with both yielding a mas-
sive 5.9 inches of wheel travel at either
end — this suspension package offers
full adjustment of preload, compres-
sion and rebound damping at both
ends only on the S-version, with pre-
load and rebound adjustment only on
the FTR 1200.
The easy-to-use dash allows you
to swipe between riding modes and
other settings on the go via a gloved
finger — all changes are intuitive, and
don’t require you to close the throttle
to confirm them. It’s also extremely
bright — I had no trouble reading it in
California sunshine, which is definitely
not the case with some other such dash-
es, and the display is customizable so
riders can choose from different configu-
rations for the speedo and gauges. The
whole operating system has been well
thought out and is simple to use — kudos
to Indian for getting this right first time.
The touch part of the screen controls a
full Bosch stability control system with
six-axis inertial sensor and those multiple
riding modes.
The 1200 S is available in Red over
Steel Gray or Titanium Metallic over
Thunder Black Pearl, each with a blackframe. The black, red and white bike
with the red frame you see here is
the range-topping FTR 1200 S RR (for
Race Replica). These FTR models are
the real deal, and will surely usher in
street trackers from other manufactur-
ers, even without such a history of race
track success as Indian. Fueled by its
racing sister’s two seasons of dirt track
dominance, the new Indian has earned
the tag line that it was “born on the
dirt, built for the street,” and that rings
true when you ride it.On the road
I had the chance on the press launch
to spend a 120-mile day riding a couple
of these models through the canyons
of Southern California northwest of Los
Angeles, along such legendary highwaysThe 4.3-inch LCD touch screen
digital dash (left) is customizable,
well thought out and easy to use.