Indian Motorcycle Confirms Flat Track-Inspired Street Bike For 2019

At the 2018 Wheels and Waves in France, Indian Motorcycle has confirmed that it will launch the production version of the famed FTR 1200 in 2019. Though the manufacturer has not confirmed the exact launch date, Indian Motorcycle says that the bike will go on sale next year. Apart from the launch, the American bikemaker has announced that there will be a sweepstakes contest for its North American customers to win one of the first bikes to come off the assembly line.

The Indian Scout FTR 1200 Concept made its global debut at the 2017 EICMA show in Milan, Italy. Steve Menneto, President, Indian Motorcycle, said: “When we unveiled the FTR 1200 Custom at EICMA, we said we’d listen to feedback from riders around the world. Riders definitely have spoken and the response has been overwhelming. We’re proud and excited to announce that we will be putting the FTR 1200 into production.” You can read about the Scout FTR1200 Concept here.

The FTR 1200 draws inspiration from the legendary FTR 750, a purpose-built flat tracker which, as per Indian, has dominated the American Flat Track professional racing series since its introduction last year. The manufacturer has also confirmed that the upcoming FTR 1200 will take inspiration, design and performance cues from both the FTR 750 and the FTR 1200 Custom, but will maintain its own look and style.

The production FTR 1200 will sport a new V-twin engine housed inside a trellis frame with a flat tracker-style bodywork. The man behind the upcoming motorcycle (and also the other two FTR’s), Senior Designer Rich Christoph explained: “We wanted to make sure that the FTR 1200 wasn’t merely a regurgitation of the FTR 1200 Custom, but something uniquely ‘street,’ albeit flat track inspired. We’re thrilled about the character this bike possesses, and its ability to take American V-twin motorcycles into new territory.”

“From the very beginning, our intention was to develop Indian Motorcycle into a global brand,” said Michael Dougherty, President, International. “Armed with a strong foundation, it’s now time to break new ground for an American motorcycle manufacturer and the FTR 1200 is where that begins.” A small group of industry VIPs viewed an early production version of the FTR 1200 behind closed doors at Wheels & Waves, showing that Indian is indeed serious about bringing the new model to market.

We could expect the motorcycle to enter our shores a few months after its global launch. It could be placed alongside the Indian Scout Bobber, but may command a premium over it. The Scout Bobber costs Rs 11.99 lakh, ex-showroom. If launched, the FTR1200 would be the only production flat-tracker in the country.

[Images used are of the Indian Scout FTR1200 Concept]