2022 Indian Motorcycle FTR First Look Preview

Indian Motorcycle invented a new street bike class with its FTR 1200 street tracker. Now, three years after its model year debut, the American motorcycle brand tweaks the formula by adding road focus, and chopping off some of its nomenclature in hopes of attracting more throttle twisters.

Editor’s note: We’ve reported on the original FTR 1200 extensively during the 2019 Indian FTR 1200 S First Ride Review, 2019 Indian FTR 1200 S First Look Review, An Artistic Review of 2019 Indian’s FTR 1200, and 2019 Indian FTR 1200 First Ride Around A Dirt Track articles and videos. Peruse that content to learn more about the FTR’s history.

“The FTR is unlike any other motorcycle in its ability to deliver superior performance while making a powerful statement of style and self-expression,” says Mike Dougherty, President of Indian Motorcycle. “The updates we’ve delivered further solidify that promise for even the most discerning riders. Indian Motorcycle has always pushed the bounds of motorcycling, innovated, and continuously improved and I think the new FTR is another great example of that.”

The FTR ditches its pseudo-dirt track-inspired 19/18-inch cast-aluminum wheels for a more road-centric 17-inch setup. Instead of chunky Dunlop DT3R tires the FTR is now shod with standard streetbike rubber from Metzeler. Suspension travel has been reduced and the settings are tuned for the street, says Indian’s press materials. These updates net a 1.4-inch reduction in seat height making the FTR even easier to straddle.

Although to be fair, the previous version had a relatively low seat height for a 1,200cc motorcycle. Lastly, the ProTaper handlebar is also 1.5 inches narrower, however height is unchanged.

The ’22 version continues to use Indian’s 1,203cc liquid-cooled and 60-degree V-twin but benefits from refined engine mapping to help increase its overall riding dynamic. Aside from that tweak, the powertrain carries over. All FTRs come with ABS-enabled triple hydraulic disc brakes from Brembo and cruise control.

Like before the FTR comes in a variety of configurations. The S model ($500 less than the 2019 model, but still a $2,000 upcharge versus the base model) adds a 4.7-inch color TFT touchscreen instrument display and IMU-powered traction and wheelie control. It also benefits from a pair of Akrapovič mufflers and a USB charging port.

The FTR R Carbon ($16,999) commands another $2,000, and trades out Sachs suspension for an Öhlins setup. And for those who are looking for more of a scrambler-type setup, Indian offers the FTR Rally ($13,999). This platform boasts an extra 1.2 inches of suspension travel and larger-diameter (same size as the outgoing FTR 1200) wire-spoked wheels shod with Pirelli’s fantastic Scorpion Rally STR dual-sport rubber.

The base 2022 FTR MSRP is unchanged and continues to be manufactured in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with a two-year warranty.