Indian FTR

[LowRyter]

From the Indian website:

Tires / Wheels
Front TiresDunlop® DT3-R Radial, 120/70R19 60V
Front WheelCast 19 in x 3 in
Rear TiresDunlop® DT3-R Radial, 150/70R18
Rear WheelCast 18 in x 4.25 in


So, the front is a 120/70, the same width and aspect ratio as is on most sportsbikes and sporty standards.  It's just on a 19-inch wheel rather than 17- or 18-inches. 

The rear 150/70-18 on a 4.25 wheel is an old-school sportsbike size from the 1980s/1990s, before sportsbikes and sporty standards were all moved to the 17-inch rear.

Darren was reading the tire and said it was a 120, it looks HUGE.  But it works.  To me it's not a $15-17k bike with no body works or windshield but I am impressed with riding it.  No,I like my Ducati better but it did impress me, maybe my expectations were low.  Anyone wanting a street tracker- supermoto style should like it.

Some one should ride one and compare my opinion. 

[rocker59]

I want something between the Scout and the FTR.

A "Sport Scout".  The classic styling of the Scout, but with wheels, brakes, suspension of the FTR.

[LowRyter]

I want something between the Scout and the FTR.

A "Sport Scout".  The classic styling of the Scout, but with wheels, brakes, suspension of the FTR.

Take a ride of on one these.  It's got some guts. 

The FTR is still too upright for me but it works better than any - Supermoto/Adventure/ Street Tracker - I've ridden.  But way too much $$$ money IMO even if I wanted it.

[tommy2cyl]

Sat on one.  Seat seems too short toward the front for me.  My natural position to sit on the bike seemed to place me partially
 on the back end of the tank. 

[twowheeladdict]

I want something between the Scout and the FTR.

A "Sport Scout".  The classic styling of the Scout, but with wheels, brakes, suspension of the FTR.

I like the styling of at least one of the FTR variations, but for me it should have been a 750cc like the actual dirt tracker.  I have no need for more than about 65 hp on a bike.  Any bike I have owned with more than 65 HP I very rarely used all available power. 

When I was on one it felt like I was on top of the bike instead of feeling like I was part of the bike.  My local dealer allows test rides and actually put the FTR in his rental fleet. 

[boatdetective]

I think it's a fabulous looking design as well as a good story. Indian kept it real and actually built/campaigned a hugely successful flat tracker. That says a LOT for Polaris. The FTR is a careful adaptation of that machine. It's  a needed departure for the brand. It has exciting stats. It's not simply chrome and tassles. I couldn't be happier for the brand and hope a lot of hooligan younger people buy them to expand the customer base.   I would love to take one on a ride.

Oh- and I don't think motorcycle design came to an abrupt halt when Guzzi came out with the Griso.  As a design, the Griso does not work from all angles. There, I said it.

[DorsetBlue]

I want something between the Scout and the FTR.

A "Sport Scout".  The classic styling of the Scout, but with wheels, brakes, suspension of the FTR.

A secondhand Victory Octane with some scout bits?

[Aaron D.]

The Octane isn't my favorite, the engine styling seems bad to me. Scout is plenty powerful. Plus there are ways to get more power out of them (including a big bore kit) but I don't know why.

[Kev m]

A secondhand Victory Octane with some scout bits?

The wheels, brakes, suspension of the Victory Octane was basically the same as the Scout.

[Darren Williams]

I think it's a fabulous looking design as well as a good story. Indian kept it real and actually built/campaigned a hugely successful flat tracker. That says a LOT for Polaris. The FTR is a careful adaptation of that machine. It's  a needed departure for the brand. It has exciting stats. It's not simply chrome and tassles. I couldn't be happier for the brand and hope a lot of hooligan younger people buy them to expand the customer base.   I would love to take one on a ride.

Oh- and I don't think motorcycle design came to an abrupt halt when Guzzi came out with the Griso.  As a design, the Griso does not work from all angles. There, I said it.

Agree. You can see some of the Victory 156 Hill Climb bike in the FTR.

I still wish Polaris would have kept Indian as the vintage cruiser brand and expanded Victory to full line brand. And they could have shared showrooms/dealers. Will Indian continue to come out with expanded bike models outside the cruiser world? I wouldn't mind them expanding the FTR motor onto a sport touring platform and an adventure/touring.

[LowRyter]

Agree that Indian should've kept Victory and combined them into single dealership.  I understand that Victory promised the dealers the moon when they denied them attendant Indian franchises, then demanded they double down on required marketing merchandise just before they pulled the plug.

Regarding the Scout/Street Tracker/Octane.  The FTR is nice bike but I have to wonder why they just didn't build a standard model for the Scout with midmount pegs and sell at $9k?  That's really the deal with all the Polaris stuff, they design their bikes with the rider's feet way out?

[bigbikerrick]

When I showed my wife the picture of the Indian, her response was "Where is the engine" "I see alot of pipes, but cant tell where the engine begins or ends"  It made me laugh, and take a second look...Hmm, there really is no clear  view of the cylinders, and heads ,like we are used to seeing on some other v twins.
Rick.