The 2022 Indian FTR S looking sharp in black and "white smoke" paint and Akky pipe set.
Indian MotorcycleAs the Covid pandemic set in, it was looking a little grim there for the motorcycle industry. Then, an odd thing happened: Motorcycle and bicycle sales suddenly shot up as everyone looked for ways to get around again that didn’t include mass transit, carpools or, other people in general. Thus, a perfect storm of conditions to boost the sales of socially distancing two-wheelers of every type. And one company that seems to be in the right place at the right time with the right bikes is the iconic brand Indian Motorcycle, which is celebrating a decade of robust growth under the Polaris umbrella after wandering around in a hazy state of existence for the better part of 60 years. after. The original concern shuttered in 1953 and bounced around several owners, some legit and some (much) less so, until Polaris rounded up the rights in 2011. The first all-new bikes appeared shortly thereafter.
Utilizing Polaris’ vast knowledge of engine building and extensive R&D, Indian started out making large-displacement, large-fendered air-cooled cruisers that directly competed with Harley-Davidson’s big-inch rollers, but in 2015 they released the “middleweight” Scout model, similar in concept to Harley’s smaller Sportster bikes. However, the Scout featured an all-new, higher-tech 1133cc liquid-cooled V-Twin that earned raves for its prodigious 100+ horsepower output - nearly double the pop offered by Harley’s iconic but still air-cooled pushrod Sportsters. It was also suitably stylish, featured decent handling, modern electronics and advanced frame technology (compared to the Harleys). I rode one of the first Scouts back in 2015; it was a comfortable and capable bike to be sure, but the speed and power impressed me the most.
The FTR line up (well, three out of four of them) is now more street-oriented with 17-inch wheels ... [+]
Indian MotorcycleFour years later, the first FTR appeared with a 1203cc liquid-cooled V-Twin (keep in mind Polaris makes a LOT of motors). That bike was essentially a streetified urban scratcher based around the 750cc flat track racer that was piling up trophies against Harley’s iconic XR750 gravel and dirt spitters. Now, there are four FTRs.
New For... ‘22??
The top-o-the-line R Carbon FTR features a lot of, well, carbon fiber, as well as Öhlins suspension ... [+]
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Indian has decided to essentially skip the 2021 model year, and while the bikes have not had anything close to a complete redesign, there are some important changes. First off, three of the four models get new wheel sizes and tires in the form of 17-inch cast aluminum hoops that will give riders a much larger choice of tires. Only the more dual-sportish Rally version of the FTR will stick with 18 and 19-inch wheels due to it’s more off-road bent. For the base FTR, FTR S and top-spec FTR R Carbon, those new wheels will now come shod in Michelin Sportec street skins. The Rally will wear more dirt-worthy Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires on its spoked hoops.
The new wheel size has helped Indian drop seat heights by over an inch as well, along with new bar heights mixed in (Rally excepted) to make the bikes more comfortable for shorter riders. With this makeover, the FTR is now much more of a neo-retro tech-forward versatile street machine, with the Rally version holding the torch for the circle track and dirt riding fans. And while the base FTR and Rally get by with an analog gauge set, the S and R Carbon get snazzy new 4.3-inch touch color screens. The massaged motor makes a bracing 120 horsepower and 87 pound feet of twist, and the S and R Carbon variants add electronic stability control, traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, and handy USB ports for your phone, GPS, action cam, and so on.
T4ick new LCD display comes on the R Carbon and S models only. For now.
Indian MotorcycleAll of the bikes get new fuel management tweaks for better cold starting, something that was a “hot” topic among some FTR owners. Speaking of hot, when the engine gets a bit too toasty, rear cylinder deactivation will kick in at idle. Additionally, suspension is now more adjustable on all models (Rally again excepted), with the R Carbon getting the requisite Öhlins legs along with a smattering of carbon fiber panels and other goodies. The S and R models also get punchier Akrapovic exhaust kits as standard. Indian says radial Brembo brakes and cruise control will carry over from last year, and a raft of new accessories are now available as well.
Prices start at $12,999 for the base FTR and ratchet up to $14,999 for the S and $16,999 for the R Carbon, while the Rally is just $13,999. Indian says deliveries should begin this Spring. I’ve posted some images below, supplied by Indian. Take a look.
But What About...
It has been interesting to watch the FTR series evolve while all motorcycle makers search for that magic something to reel in new riders - or those that just may have been out of the saddle for a while. Covid certainly seems to have helped with that. To see the FTR remain in Indian’s lineup and even expand is perhaps further highlighted by the sudden absence of domestic competition from Harley-Davidson. In their quest to simplify and streamline under new CEO Jochen Zeitz, H-D just cut the affordable, approachable, lightweight “Street” line of liquid-cooled 500 and 750cc machines from the lineup (not the Street big twins, mind you). No, those bikes couldn’t compete with the FTR in terms of speed and panache, but they were also a lot less expensive and more approachable, especially for new riders. Unfortunately, they didn’t capture riders’ imaginations in quite the same way the FTR has. It also appears that Harley has shelved the Bronx streetfighter - hopefully not forever - which appeared to be waiting in the wings with the Pan America adventure bike, which will get a big reveal with movie star and dedicated Harley rider Jason Mamoa next month. Here’s a look at the Bronx (and the Pan America) in a 2019 post:
It’d be a pity if the Bronx was history, as it was a cool-looking street machine with the power and tech to compete with the FTR. Maybe it’s just on pause, we’ll see. Harley has also greatly slimmed down the Sportster lineup to just three models, none of which are really in the same league as the FTR bikes in terms of power, design and technology, but are still effective, charismatic roadsters.
Zeitz is going to do what he thinks he must to save The Motor Company from oblivion, but killing off rather than emphasizing beginner-friendly bikes and models like the Bronx that might appeal to more experienced non-cruiser riders seems to be a curious gamble. Hopefully, new models will be presented soon that reflect new ideas for those segments. For now, Indian seems to have the lead in this niche.
2022 Indian FTR R Carbon
Indian MotorcycleThe mid-line FTR S seems very camera friendly.
Indian MotorcycleThe base FTR gets my "best stock pipes" award for 2022. Well, so far.
Indian MotorcycleThis dual-sport rider has a soft spot for the chunk monkey FTR Rally.
Indian MotorcycleJanuary 27, 2021 at 07:00PM
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Indian Updates Their Popular FTR Motorcycles While Harley Scales Back - Forbes
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