I first got a chance to test ride Indian’s flat track-inspired FTR 1200 back in 2019. The uniquely-styled V-twin was teh first true performance machine to emerge from Indian at the time and like many riders, I was excited about experiencing just what an American manufacturer could bring to the fast streetbike game. American motorcycle makers only built under-powered, heavyweight cruisers, traditional thinking said, so what could the FTR have to offer, I wondered.
It turned out, plenty, as the 60-degree Polaris-built engine whirred and roared down the local Interstate like an Italian naked roadster with the same sure-footed cornering, rapid acceleration and commanding riding dynamic.
The FTR developed a fairly solid global following over the next few years, receiving a much-needed upgrade to its running gear that included wider, lower-profile 17″ wheels that allowed the saucy Indian to run on the latest sticky radial tires.
After testing various versions of the bike in CRM, we decided to purchase one for the garage fleet last fall, and it’s a move we haven’t regretted even once.
In fact, the CRM team is just about the launch a new customization project for the FTR, enlisting help from some of our parts and tire suppliers while taking notes from everyday riders and owners of this unique ride on what areas need improvement.
With all this positive buzz surrounding the FTR, it came as quite a shock last week to learn that Minnesota-based Indian Motorcycles has dropped the racy 1200 from their current 2025 lineup. While company reps have been tight-lipped on the subject, industry insiders lay blame on several contributing factors including slow sales and a re-focusing of the Indian brand on cruisers, not sporty motorcycles. Indian’s sales were down last year as much as four percent and while that doesn’t sound like much, it’s apparently enough to prompt the large-volume manufacturer to trim the budget.
We’ll stand by the fact that the FTR 1200 is one of the best- if not the all-time best- American-made performance bike of the past five years. What are your thoughts on America losing its only high-performance streetbike? Email us via rockersrule@caferacermag.com and keep reading the print and digital magazine for our own FTR journey that’s just beginning.
