Indian FTR

[Kev m]

Footpegs at least directly under the front edge of the seat.  Used to me the norm, now you never see 'em.

Really cause I didn't have to look too far for that:

*Most Bonnie's
*HD Street 500/750
*HD all current Sportsters except the 48/48 Special
*HD Street Bob and Low Rider
*Moto Guzzi V9
*Moto Guzzi V7 Stone/Special
*Most Ducati Scramblers (I didn't check them all)
*BMW K1600 tourers
*BMW some of the R9T variants (I don't check them all)

[bad Chad]

Nothing came to mind from the big 4/JapanInc?

[Kev m]

Nothing came to mind from the big 4/JapanInc?

I don't particularly follow them close enough and didn't bother to check. But I would think a few of the Harley clones might like the Yamaha/Star Sportster copies and maybe Honda, do they still make the Shadow RS.

The W800 still around?

Maybe the CB1100?

[jas67]

I don't particularly follow them close enough and didn't bother to check. But I would think a few of the Harley clones might like the Yamaha/Star Sportster copies and maybe Honda, do they still make the Shadow RS.

The W800 still around?

Maybe the CB1100?

The W800 has been discontinued, 2016 was the last year, but, yes, it's ergos are definitely standard, as are the CB1100's.

[Darren Williams]

Kev m, when I look at the Harleys, they all look at least a couple inches in front of the seat, V9s are definitely forward of the seat. The V7s and K1600 mostly appear to be at the front edge. Bonnies are even to an inch or so behind (in the correct location  ).

My thinking of standard is like a dirt bike where the peg are under the crotch area, which is a few inches behind the front of the seat. That way standing up on the pegs has your CG correct without moving forward or backwards. I guess those folks more attuned to old vintage bikes (pre 70's), think of standard as sitting in a chair with your feet slightly forward, where you have to lean forward to center your mass to stand up.

[Kev m]

Kev m, when I look at the Harleys, they all look at least a couple inches in front of the seat, V9s are definitely forward of the seat. The V7s and K1600 mostly appear to be at the front edge. Bonnies are even to an inch or so behind (in the correct location  ).

My thinking of standard is like a dirt bike where the peg are under the crotch area, which is a few inches behind the front of the seat. That way standing up on the pegs has your CG correct without moving forward or backwards. I guess those folks more attuned to old vintage bikes (pre 70's), think of standard as sitting in a chair with your feet slightly forward, where you have to lean forward to center your mass to stand up.

I would call feet under you rearsets personally.

But it's all semantics.

Look at some of those bikes I mentioned, most have the pegs just under the front of the seat, maybe some just under the rear of the tank.

But yes to me MID-Mounts are most like you describe, sitting in a chair. And the term mid likely comes from being between rearsets and forwards to state the obvious.

Anyway rearsets are generally uncomfortable to me after say the first few hundred miles of the day.

[Darren Williams]

Rear sets are what I had on my Thruxton, CBR600RR and ZX6R. Those are more under your tail bone. In peg position, inches matter.   

[Kev m]

Rear sets are what I had on my Thruxton, CBR600RR and ZX6R. Those are more under your tail bone. In peg position, inches matter.   

I get that, but measure, in inches, the distance between those and forwards ... Mids are in the middle. Closer to rearsets are rearsets.... To me. YMMV and that's cool.

[LowRyter]

goodness, I think we all know what rear-sets, mid-mounts and cruiser-mounts are.

I only brought it up because I'm not found of cruisers and wondered why they didn't build a Scout with sporty controls.  Then I made my point that $15k is a steep price to get them.

Yeah, I'd like to check out the Katana.  Retro cool for sure and pure Suzuki.  Prolly won't like a small gas tank and no luggage mounts.  I rode the full fairing sport touring version when it came out and it was a nice bike for about $10-11k.  I probably should've struck when they were available. 

[Aaron D.]

Rearsets/standard etc have changed since the old days, and by that I mean as late as the '70s.

Look at where racers had their feet in the 50s and 60s, feet ahead of hips. If you rode a Ducati in the '60s you know the foot position on those bikes was well forward of the hips.

Anyone here have a Morini 3 1/2 Sport?

Under the hip is where all the rearsets have been on my sport bikes. Much behind there would make it hard to shift weight in a competition situation, and I wager it would be hard to pee after a while too.

[Kev m]

goodness, I think we all know what rear-sets, mid-mounts and cruiser-mounts are.
.

Obviously not, but it's not particularly important.

I really like the FTR, as I probably shouldn't because I've demonstrated again and again that's not my bag... But a Scout with a taller seat and mid-mounts would be another thing.

[jas67]

Obviously not, but it's not particularly important.

I really like the FTR, as I probably shouldn't because I've demonstrated again and again that's not my bag... But a Scout with a taller seat and mid-mounts would be another thing.

You definitely need to buy the FTR.
I'll buy it from you when you decide you've made a mistake.   

[boatdetective]

I think the FTR is a really exciting step for Indian. Wow- a company that has the stones to design and campaign a race bike (in a venue they have never competed in)- then take that bike to the street? It looks purposeful, current, and muscular. However, it also has legitimate roots to a racing heritage. Despite the niggles here about styling, I think it's safe to say that a ton of effort was spent in this design. I'd love to see what Glynn Kerr has to say about it. This design is intended to get younger people into the brand- good long term vision. The S version with the red frame and racing tank looks absolutely fabulous to me. My guess is that it will be a hoot to ride. I think the key here is to judge bikes by the slot they are intended to fill- if that riding isn't your bag, that doesn't really matter.


Congrats Indian for stretching out and taking a chance on a daring project.  I hope they sell a shit ton.

[oilhed]

Really cause I didn't have to look too far...

Nothing came to mind from the big 4/JapanInc?

Got me there but it was kinda what I was thinking.  Where are all the UJMs.  I know most Bonnies & V7s have them.  Obviously the CB1100!  But even the Z900RS & R1200R looks like it has rearsets!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Anyone here have a Morini 3 1/2 Sport?

Just about finished this one. Pegs are way too far forward.

[Kev m]

Got me there but it was kinda what I was thinking.  Where are all the UJMs.  I know most Bonnies & V7s have them.  Obviously the CB1100!  But even the Z900RS & R1200R looks like it has rearsets!

Well that brings up an interesting observation so thanks.

Generally speaking JAPanInc. looks further and further forward (like some of the EU brands).

And as our friend DW observed the mid-mount position I described is more common in older/nostalgic designs.

So that would explain its largely lack of absence in current JAPanInc. products.

[Kev m]

Just about finished this one. Pegs are way too far forward.

But you've got so many great stories to tell about embarrassing bigger bikes (especially Harleys) with that!

[Aaron D.]

Great fun riding Morinis -glad to see my point on the history of peg positions so nicely illustrated.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

But you've got so many great stories to tell about embarrassing bigger bikes (especially Harleys) with that!

Not that particular one (although it probably could too), it's a customer's. Mine is a little more modern (and has the pegs perfectly placed  )

[kingoffleece]

Obviously not, but it's not particularly important.

I really like the FTR, as I probably shouldn't because I've demonstrated again and again that's not my bag... But a Scout with a taller seat and mid-mounts would be another thing.

You're on to something.  The Scout I rode was really nice except for the pegs-which ground out on the first turn and were way too far ahead.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Great fun riding Morinis -glad to see my point on the history of peg positions so nicely illustrated.

The problem with the early 3 1/2 Sport was Morini didn't alter the peg position from the GT/Strada. They were already a bit far forward for use with handlebars, with the 'Sport's clip-ons it's all wrong. This better illustrates how far forward they are.

[Daniel Kalal]

At the Meadowlands (New Jersey) over the weekend, Indian had the new FTR1200 on display along with the full-race FTR750.  The bike that Jared Mees rides is actually a bit different than this one (same number plate), but I suppose that if you were to buy one, this is what you are delivered as a starting point.



Here's what Jared rode.  He and Tolbert have tried a number of different wheels; I'd call this one their Super-Inertia wheel.



[edited to add additional photo of Jared Mees bike]

[LowRyter]

I just rode the S model and was impressed with it.  I don't usually like the upright Supermoto style bike but this one felt pretty good. The motor was real good, torque-y and rev-vy very close to my Ducati but perhaps an edge on torque. The gearbox was very good and better than most Italian bikes.

The thing I really wanted to write about was the handling with that big front tire. And I have to say I was impressed with handling in new way. The steering head is steep and the bars are wide, so the rider has great leverage over the big fat front tire. And once you lean into it, the rider can feel the security of the big tire. It works well with the upright pegs. The knobs on the front tire did tramline in a road seam but not a problem.

I have to admit I'm impressed with the bike more than I would've guessed, vibration, mirrors, brakes, electric dash, etc. were all very good.

They've reinvented the naked bike. Despite that I think $15k+ is a lot for a Street Tracker. If they built a sport or cafe bike, it might be of interest to me but they would still have to come down on the price.  I'll say that this is the sportiest motorcycle built in the USA.

[twowheeladdict]

Isn't it nice when preconceptions are shattered?   

Considering that it is the only sport bike built in the USA that is some high praise!   

[LowRyter]

2wa, I guess you could consider the Indian as the only sport bike built in USA.  I didn't consider it a sport bike when I rode it but I suppose you could.

I just wanted to give impressions from riding it.  Thanks, I guess.

[Kev m]

Great report Low, thanks!

[kingoffleece]

Nice bike for sure.  But somehow Polaris never seems to get the pipes correct.  The junction where the pipes turn skyward looks all wrong.
YMMV, as it should.

[jas67]

I'll be interesting to see how the forthcoming HD Streetfighter compares to the FTR.

It is exciting that American manufacturers are finally building something other than cruisers.

[rocker59]

I have to say I was impressed with handling in new way. The steering head is steep and the bars are wide, so the rider has great leverage over the big fat front tire. And once you lean into it, the rider can feel the security of the big tire. It works well with the upright pegs. The knobs on the front tire did tramline in a road seam but not a problem.
 

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.

[LowRyter]

Nice bike for sure.  But somehow Polaris never seems to get the pipes correct.  The junction where the pipes turn skyward looks all wrong.
YMMV, as it should.

Funny you should say that.  There was a bike in the showroom, the Indian pannier only goes on the left side.  One only.   

The right side has the pipes.