New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
The Bad : Those gold forks (my contribution)
Up front there�s a pair of 43mm upside-down forks, fully adjustable on the �S� version, while an offset monoshock deals with the rear suspension. Again, the �S� gets better kit, with a piggyback reservoir and a full range of adjustments.
I will say it's Ducati expensive and perhaps a little higher. *Guzzi Content*
Hmph. 19 on the front, 18 on the rear and 60 inch wheelbase. I would be curious to ride one to see how it handles but wouldn't learn much in an around the block test ride. That pipe would have to go.
If our local dealer ever has one on the floor (I expect they will be flying off the floor) I will throw a leg over it. I'm guessing with a 33" seat height I may not be that comfortable, but I'm willing to try. The logical part of me knows my V7 has all the power I need, but since when are motorcycles logical?
I went by the Indian store and they told me they won't have one until Spring. For $15k, I won't consider one. Looks like a great bike for $9-11k.
Well...after Kev's original post and my reply and looking at the thread of the V85 I started to think a little about this machine and what Indian might be thinking down stream after its introduction. If the FTR is a sales success (or maybe even before), are there corporate thinkers considering...dare I say it...an ADV version of the FTR? I mention this only because there's a lot of R&D in this bike and the target demographic can't be all that large for a quasi retro American street tracker/fighter (is that even a bike niche?). However, an American made 1200cc/120 Hp ADV weighing in around 520 +/- pounds sans aluminum luggage, say with a 4 to 4.5 gal tank is bound to expand this platforms appeal. Living out here in ADV central (Utah), I've been kicking around something to replace the KLR with now for 2-3 years and looked at a lot of options. Most are out of the running due to seat hight and/or overall weight/high center of gravity and lack of passing oomph. The last consideration nixing the Stornello. The V85 made the short list with the one major drawback being dealer support. But, if Indian was to roll the FTR into the showroom floor in the next 12-18 months in ADV guise, well that would more than likely fill my fourth, and last availabe slot in the bike bay as it would prob meet all my basic requirements. Reasonable seat height/dry weight close to 500/accessible dealer support available in my time zone/more than enough HP to take the open road fully loaded. Price would probably not figure into the decision at all unless it was way out of bounds for the category. Forgot to add...if you think an FTR based ADV is (in the words of Ralph Wiggum) "unpossible", remember that supposedly Harley is introducing the "Dirt Glide"* *as coined by a member of this site.
I've always thought that the Scout engine was a thing of beauty, so I'm a bit disappointed that it isn't showcased here. I guess this bike is all about less show and more go, so hats off to Indian for having the stones to break the mold.
The base model seems to be coming in very close to the V85's predicted price range. And though I'd likely still take the V85 (or a road going variant) for a number of reasons I bet a lot of people would prefer the FTR for the additional performance.
I suspect the number of folks who will cross shop a v85 and FTR will be counted on one hand.
Or, zero.An ADVtouringbike and a hooligan street tracker. Two different segments. GS and Tenere people will be looking at the V85TT.Ducati Hyperstrada and supermotard types will be looking at the FTR1200.
"Scout engine"? This one has 120hp (possibly a real hunderd). And the current Scout has maybe 70? Yes, although it has been modified to get that power and a weight reduction of 40lbs, this is Scout engine architecture.
"Scout engine"? This one has 120hp (possibly a real hunderd). And the current Scout has maybe 70? I be might happy with a "Scout" (70hp) with midmounts at $7k.
it's largely proven that serious motorcyclists often have multiple bikes from different categories.
My bet says there will be a couple more FTRs coming down the pike. One of them will be and ADVtouring machine.
Not many who is shopping for an ADVtouring machine will look at the FTR.
I think I would buy a new Harley Softail for the money they are asking for this bike.
