Indian FTR 1200 Gets Sharper And More Exciting For 2021

All four variants have been updated

• The standard, S, and R variants now use 17-inch rims and road-biased Metzeler rubber.
• The 1,203cc V-twin motor gets revised engine mapping for a more fun experience.
• India launch expected in the second half of 2021 with a bump in price.

Indian Motorcycle has updated its FTR 1200 range with 17-inch road-focused tyres and better electronics for 2021. The range continues with four variants: standard, S, Rally, and R Carbon. 

The FTR 1200 was one of the most delightful motorcycles that we rode in 2019. It was an oddball, never conforming to one genre or segment, more like a combination of a flat tracker and a naked motorcycle with a dash of retro styling. We are happy to report that these elements have been retained for 2021. 

What is a welcome change is the switch to smaller 17-inch wheels. Previously, the FTR 1200 ran on a 19-/18-inch front/rear-wheel setup with flat-track racing-inspired Dunlop DT3-R tyres. While these were fun to chuck the rear end sideways, giving you the jollies while at it, they weren’t particularly the best when it came to tarmac. Now, with the 17-inch wheels, it opens Indian, and subsequently the bike’s owner, to a whole avenue of road-centric grippy rubber. And the company has chosen well in this regard. Metzeler Sportec Streets are good quality shoes that will enhance the FTR’s great handling. Only the Rally variant continues to run on 19-/18-inch alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally knobbies.

By altering the tyre dimensions, Indian has managed to make the FTR even sharper. The front end, now dropped by an inch, results in a steeper steering head angle with a reduced trail. Another added benefit of the 17-inchers is that FTR is a lot more manageable. The seat has been dramatically lowered by 36mm, now standing at an accessible 817mm. 

Also read: Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Launched In India

What else? Well, you also get improved electronics. Indian has tweaked the engine maps to improve cold start procedures and also smoothened the throttle response. The manufacturer has also introduced a new tech where the rear cylinder deactivates while idling which is said to reduce heating. 

More importantly, Indian has altered the 1203cc V-twin engine to meet Euro-5/BS6 norms. It now churns out 125PS and 120Nm.

It gets several variant-specific updates too. The standard FTR 1200 has switched to a fully adjustable suspension setup and it comes in Black Smoke colour with plenty of red accents. The S variant now gets an Akrapovic pipe as standard and is available in two colours: Maroon Metallic and White Smoke. Both variants look more aggressive than before in their updated liveries. The Akrapovic on the S will turn some heads too.

The top-spec FTR 1200 R Carbon comes with a fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, exquisite carbon panels, a seat cover, and a black Akrapovic pipe. Additionally, the S and R variants also feature a 4.3-inch touchscreen instrument cluster packed with all the modern bells and whistles.

The FTR 1200 was available in India previously and we expect Indian Motorcycle to launch the updated FTR range here, sometime in the second half of 2021. Considering the updates, the FTR range could be priced from around Rs 16 lakh to Rs 18.5 lakh (ex-showroom).