I just bought one two weeks ago as well! I completely agree with everything he says! Pain in the ass to fuel up, not for beginners, and an absolute riot. I’m on the fence about the tires. I might go with a set of Dunlop Q threes.
@@geoffreyquinn5748 I rode it year round and it DOES NOT LIKE THE COLD. If the temp is below 55F' It needs to be on a trickle charger. I thought my battery had died but once summer hot She is back to life.
I demo road this bike along with almost every other brand and model and fell in love with it (FTR1200 ) went home laid on my back kicking and screaming and yelling I want one well it worked my wife went out and bought it for me as a surprise, I didn’t even think she liked me anymore, well I went to the Indian dealership to show her what I wanted and the shop was in on it, she said you must be joking your not spending that on a motorcycle, I felt kinda stupid the way she was saying that and everyone was laughing until the salesman handed me the key and said it’s yours and I just love this bike oh yeah I love my wife too
I rode a 2019, like this a week ago at the dealer and I immediately fell in love. This bike is a hoot. Aaron is absolutely right, it’s not like anything else I’ve ridden. That said I have ordered a 2022, which fixes the cold running problem and lowers the seat substantially. The 2019 felt like throwing a leg over a dirt bike vs a road bike. Indian is making some amazing bikes right now. It is a great time to be alive.
Great review! Only issue is, cold weather riding. I just bought a 2022 Rally and had 0 miles. The first 100 miles were in 40 degree weather and it ran beautifully, no issues. I will say It did cut off when first started, I believe it was right out of the box and needed a couple minutes to warm up, but never an issue after that. Thanks for the great review. Definitely a bad ass bike!!!
Hi Knox, I have the exact model. I bought it 10 months ago. No issues with the battery and it just takes a few minutes to warm up and get rolling no matter what the temperature. I'm 63 years old so 5 or 6 hours is my limit. Love the bike and your reviews. Thanks Mark.
Finally, someone has the same view of this bike as I do. I also have the base model. Bought mine in late June 2019. I grew up riding big bore 450 2 stroke dirt bikes and this reminds me of them. Instant torque off the bottom and a second power band around 6000 rpm. Great review. Just for that I'm buying some Knox gear !!!
Finally a review of the base model! All I can find are the FTR 1200 s reviews! Thanks so much...I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these. Thanks for the great breakdown!!
Sold mine but got to experience a very mental, crazy, fun bike. Possibly the wildest bike I've ever had. If Indian decides to come out with a scaled down, 750cc version under 200kg, I'll be there with bells!
Good review. I've had some great bikes over the years from Yam XS1100, FJR 1300, Kawi triples 250 & 500, ZRX 1100 & 1200R, BMW K1200GT & a few more. I've done three demo's on three different FTR 1200 in the last two years & just love the bike. I finally bought one, base model, new old stock, pick it up tomorrow, cant wait to get some miles on it. I also have a 09 1050 Speed Triple which I could not part with. I think this beauty will be the same, getting excited. I'm going to be 67 in May.
I have had mine two weeks today , I love it, done 1100 km already, Sure it has its faults [Slightly tall for my 5'7", smallish fuel tank, difficult to fill the tank etc] but it more than makes up for it with buckets loads of character, stonking engine and looks cool especially with bar end mirrors and a tail tidy to get rid of the hideous standard rear guard and plate holder. As for running rough in the cold??? I live in tropical northern Australia so I wouldn't know anything about that : ) Great honest review
@@nithianathan7962 Fuel light comes on at around 180kms, Ive gone another 30 and wound up putting 12.5lts in the tank. Thats with "Spirited" riding. So 220km and I reckon you would be pushing the bike or parked
These are awesome bikes. My ultimate one (if it were possible to spec it this way, it's not) would be the base model, but in the race replica paintjob and the adjustable ohlins suspension. So good looking, and amazing sounding with an SC project exhaust.
I road tested it back to back with a Yamaha MT 10. Chalk and cheese. MT 10 is bonkers, the road was wet and it still felt planted. The FTR was bonkers, great fun and the back end stepped out on a corner on the A702 just outside Edinburgh! I didn't flinch as it felt under control though. Chris's review was the first FTR review that I think summed the bike up fairly (until this one), it's a brilliant bike if that's the type of ride you want. I bought the MT 10 (basically want to get that out of my system), but, this is probably the bike that will eventually replace the '10'.
Thanks for a great review! I think the cold and battery issues might have been fixed for the 2021/2022 models. Would it make sense for a new rider (30+ age but just got license) to buy the S version and keep it in the rain mode for a year to get the hang of it?
Thanks Sander. I mean if you can get insurance on it, then fire away. But there would be better first bikes, I personally think the power delivery is about the snappiest and raw of any bike Ive ever ridden and therefore i think it takes some experience. This is the first bike i have ever done a power slide on, and its not for the feint hearted, for example, I have been riding for about 17 years now. Aaron KNOX
Spot on review. Have had my base model for 6 months and you got all the good and bad features. There is however a trickle charge port on the left side of the bike which saves unscrewing battery cover for charging.
I was going to go on a long tirade about how good this was, from a marketeer's perspective but, you know what, I will only point out the fact that Aaron was smiling through the whole affair! It just makes you want the FTR, it makes you want Knox apparel, it almost makes you want Aaron! Brilliant!
The design of the bike hit me hard when I first saw and sat on it. Beautiful, beautiful bike. Wish the tank was bigger but it'd also throw the design off. Ended up going with a Moto Guzzi V7 Stornello instead. Slower, bigger tank, and some of the crude brutish flavors of the FTR.
@@KnoxArmour Will do and whenever this pandemicends! Love your guys' gear btw - I've been using a Knox Action shirt for the last couple years and it makes it a lot easier to simply layer for abrasion.
thank you for your really honest review.... i love the looks of it but the issues (gas, cold running, battery) really turned me down.... i thin the r9t is much simplier but gets everything done really good...and also looks awesome
Thanks Roberto, we try to be very honest and transparent and glad you appreciate that! The FTR is an awesome bike and as is the RnineT. All the best, Aaron KNOX
all of those aint issues, easy fixes. dude has a faulty battery. Gas isnt a issue, Cold starting is easy fix. bot are Euro 5 emissions bullish holding it back.
@@AridersLifeYT reading more comments below, i think those would be issues for me at least.... and with that price tag, i´d expect pretty much none at least for a year!
Great review, good detail and I think you have caught the essence of the bike. As you say not for everyone, but who wants what everyone else wants? I prefer the S model.
You guys NAILED this review. I test rode a Race Replica and the torque was phenomenal. I can't believe these sit on the dealers floor 2 years old and can't sell here in the states. It's the best American made performance bike hands down. But I guess we just like slow cruisers??!! It reminds me a lot in looks to a Monster, but with a torque heavy American twin instead of the Italian L-twin. It has so much style, that it makes up for it's few shortcomings, and those can be fixed with a tune. Tires are a must upgrade if you want to carve corners on anything less than sideways, but that's what it's designed after, right? Flat tracking is all sideways. Great bike and great review. If you guys ever come to the states, look me up for some real roads.
This bike is at the top of my list. It’s not your every man’s bike. I might want to change the exhaust and add a fly screen for kicks. Bar end mirrors are a must. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks for your feedback Evan, you are right, this is not your every man's bike and that is definitely part of the appeal! Hope you enjoy it! Aaron KNOX
Bought mine a month ago. I was "sold" after a 1hr test ride - I knew I had to have one :) Due to Corona being out only for longer rides but soon head back to office and plan to use it for daily commute and I am a bit worried with the cold start and short trips to the office and back (not what you expect from cafe racer/naked bike - not suitable for short city trips in my opinion). Usually it takes 3-4 "breaths" before engine starts and get`s me worried every time, will it start running or not. Old Kawasaki started always when you pushed the ignition button with a first breath. When I had ridden first 1000km in 2 weeks mine battery was dead (bought brand new bike). With battery issues and cold start troubles I went back to the service but it still behaves the same to be honest. What they did in the service they raised cold start RPM, because with 1250 that is starting RPM the engine stalls. Now it is over 1500 but has stalled despite the fact, And gas filling is frustrating I agree, can`t push the leaver hard even when filling in first liter and basically filling up to 10L takes 3-4 minutes. I have never been able to fill over 10L it spills the gasoline over, even if I push the gas gun very gently. Do I regret anything? No! I would still choose to ride this bike or not at all - If you want to date a model you have to accept her character flaws :) . Hopefully Indian will come up with some upgrades any time soon.
Haha, yes it is a bike with a few quirks like you say... but totally agree that is part of the character, this is a true and characterful muscle bike 💪. So glad you love yours! Aaron Knox
I currently ride a custom Indian Dark Horse (TS 111) and before Indian, I owned only Triumph (multiple Bonnie platforms and a Thunderbird 1700cc). I LOVE the Indian product and have had mine from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA packing full camping kit. I've wanted to get an FTR Rally for shorter runs of 600 to 1000 miles round trip (I live in Texas. That's a "short run".) I've been trying to get more information on this bike as a possible candidate for light adventure riding. Any thoughts? -Sims from Texas.
The FTR reminds me of another bike I love the looks of but wouldn't want as my only bike. The Moto Guzzi Griso is loaded with character and good looks but the the FTR is lighter. I will keep an eye out on the used market for an FTR to park next to the Tuono V4.
Thanks for the awesome bike review. Looks like something I could ride. Like what all the other bikes are tying to be with those stunning Harley American muscle 😅 looks, does anyone know who would work on these bikes like servicing and MOT in the south United Kingdom 🇬🇧 like the Harley Lind dealerships around here please?
I have an bmw r9t scrambler and rode my mates ftr... Now I'm thinking to get a ftr, what a fun bike. It makes the bmw very polite by comparison, it seams a shame to ditch the r9t for being really good without drama!
my battery went flat and wouldn’t start in freezing weather; now, I keep it on a CTEK conditioner; I’ve never had mine cut off after the engine gets warm, i. e. over 160F.
Hi Stanley, it depends what you value I suppose. The S model has more electronics, and traction control and a TFT. For the type of bike it is, a raw muscle bike with massive character, those things aren't that important to me on this bike and therefore it is the standard model that one I'd go for. However, everyone is different and understand that people prefer the S model. Hope that helps, Aaron KNOX
@@KnoxArmour Aaron thanks for replying having spent time thinking about and watching various vids I agree with you so will looking at taking one out for a test drive, am old school so raw is best for me
@@stanleylawson9015 But you can turn the traction control off... so you get the choice. That would be my preference, as traction control in the wet is useful.
Had mine for about a year, love the way it performs and handles. One mind boggling flaw... will NOT start if it is below 45 degrees. Can't explain how frustrating that is. This motor is made by Polaris, makers of snowmobiles that start in below 0 temps so why in the hell wont the fuel system allow it to start. When I ask Indian they passed it off to Polaris... Still waiting for results on this from my dealer. Has anyone found a fix for this malady ?
@@KnoxArmour haha yeah the thing for me is the no riding under 60, thats just not an option for folks living up in the cold lol hopefully they get that figured out with newer models, who buys a bike for 11k that ya cant ride half the year, i guess a lot of folks but not die hard riders lol, thanks bro have a good one
Very good and honest review, I both like the design and in the same time not so much, some how it looks too flat, I would like a higher tank/cover, on the other hand I think they did right with an analog clock, all bikes like this should have analog display, with a lcd window for all the other info, the Kawasaki z900rs does it right, the number plate holder is hideous and I am not a fan of the pipes, off course they can be changed, this is a bike that should be sent to an Italian designer to tidy up the design, I know I sound very negative, but somehow I feel the design is just missing some things, ohh, thankfully the 21 models have better tires.
It feels like it does... it charges forward really powerfully! Mt09 is more light and athletic, ftr is like a charging bull! Hope that helps. Aaron Knox
@@KnoxArmour1) do you suffer any stability issue at higher speeds. 2 )And is it worthy to spend extra cash for touch screen, stability and traction control . Because if we dont required these Electronics feature why should we spend money on them , but if they are useful , is it a wise decision to spend extra money for them
Having owned a 2008 Buell XB12ss Lightning I can guarantee you the FTR stomps all over the Buell. From memory the Buells were rated at 108hp at the crank, the FTR puts down about 110 at the wheel. No contest.
I have r9t scrambler. I rode my friends ftr today.. Totally different. Ftr in your face rude and agressive but in a good way. My scrambler now described as polite, docile ( boring seams like im going to far) capable without drama. Characterfull trusted freind but left wanting to hang out with the maniac (ftr). What to do? I thought i was in the market for the ftr 2 years ago but the delivered product seamed too diluted from the concept bike so in frustration i bought the scrambler and have been looking to make it more aggressive since. I now know i was wrong about the diluted ftr it is anything but weak.
Now second time within a one month when my brand new bike battery is dead flat. I have ridden basically every day average 100km per day, over 3000km in total and second time when battery is dead, last time it was dead 12 days ago and I have ridden 1500km since then. And engine tries to start 3-5 times before finally starts running - it has been so from day one. I still like the bike in overall, but I would`nt recommend to a friend if health conditions on a new bike are so poor. Service said battery is fine, so I am on my own with my problems on a bike that cost 15K. Not a happy place to be :S
Whoa seriously? I rode this in sub freezing temps with no issue. You should have them check it out that’s not normal behavior. Alternator sounds bad maybe. The battery and the bike cutting off in cold are the same root cause
I have the XR1200 and I’m done waiting for HD to modernize it so I’m getting this. I ride it on my channel in case you’re not familiar with it. I put piggy back shocks, new front end, braided lines, two brothers exhaust etc trying to make it what I want. Enough of that!
There isnt any traction control on the base, which is cool! Although its a hard bike to wheelie in my experience, the throttle is so aggressive, plus i think the balance point is super high meaning if you don't get it up really high it just slams down. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
00:53 "I mean look at the bike. It's absolutely gorgeous.". But then : 01:35 and 19:50. P.S. You mention in the video description "Aaron was wearing" and "Geoff was wearing". Why not write what she was wearing? You have no female audience? 19:50 Very unfortunate that you say "I think it's fantastic that you can stick two fingers up her." Also, what's the blue flare from 19:35 and from 19:47?
Hi Robert, thanks for the comment. Perhaps you are being a bit harsh here? Yes we have a great female audience and dedicate 1/2 of our company design to female products. However, refering to the gear ridden on test, it was myself and Geoff who were shot riding the bike, the female was our photoshoot model. Also, at 19.50 I say the bike sticks 2 fingers up at modern refinement (which I had also previously said in the video). Blue flare is lens flare. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Gave this review a thumbs down for the lack of riding with the sound. Actually, I don’t think I heard the engine running one time. He definitely goes into plenty of detail, but we want to see the bike in action and hear the throttle input.