grateful for that massive 150mm of wheel
travel at either end, but especially for
the compliant cantilever rear shock over
bumpy back roads ravaged by the Malibu
fires last winter. Coupled with the central-
ized mass delivered by the architecture
of the bike, the Indian changes direction
pretty effortlessly — it’s a really nice han-
dling package, and one that’s curiously
relaxing to ride through twisting moun-
tain roads, thanks to the upright stance
and the heaps of leverage delivered by
the wider bar. It’s easy to get into a rhythm
on this bike.
“We knew this bike was going to be
ridden primarily on highways, and on
curvy roads, so we optimized our sus-
pension to be at home doing that,” says
Senior International Product Manager
Ben Lindaman. “But we also made sure
it’s capable of taking on more than just
asphalt if you want it to — it can soak
up rough surfaces, cobblestones and
speed bumps, and while it’s not a dirt
bike, it can handle some light offroad use
as well thanks to the long-travel suspen-
sion.”
The twin 320mm front discs are gripped
by radially mounted four-piston Brembo
Monoblock calipers, and are brilliantly
effective as always in stopping the 565
pounds (wet) of motorcycle that the FTR
1200 represents, with good feedback. And
taking a handful of front brake while
leaned over doesn’t make the Indian sit
up and understeer off course, as is some-
times the case with bikes like this with a
lot of trail dialed in. It’s a very reassuring
ride. The FCC slipper clutch included as
standard on both versions has a dual-
action ramp system, so that it self-tight-
ens during acceleration, and slips on
reverse torque, allowing light springs to
be fitted which makes the FTR 1200 a
bike that’s completely at home in traffic
or city use, since the light lever actionwon’t cramp your left hand up in riding
around town. The slipper clutch has been
set up to provide minimal engine brak-
ing, though, so the Brembos have to earn
their keep.
Bosch ABS is of course standard, and
switchable on the S-model while Bosch
also provides the ECU complete with
ride-by-wire. Fueling is excellent, making
the FTR 1200 engine a modern, capa-
ble and refined power unit, which it’s a
pleasure to ride with. Alongside a wide
range of 40-plus dedicated accessories
that’s available from the first, even the
base model FTR 1200 has cruise con-
trol as standard as well as a USB port.
Furthermore, up front is a distinctive LED
headlight, with LED turn signals and tailThe 73-cubic-inch
(1,203cc) V-twin puts out
a claimed 123 horsepower
@ 8,250rpm. It’s no slouch.