Indian FTR 1200 vs Kawasaki Z1000sx | Roll on performance TorqueFest!

Indian FTR 1200 vs Kawasaki Z1000sx | Roll on performance TorqueFest!
This video is about the Indian FTR1200 which we got our hands on for these last few months and forms part of our bigger review and opinion which should come out in the next few weeks. One of the stand out features of the bike is its absolute banger of a motor, featuring a 1200cc V-twin with 120hp and 87fl-lb of torque. However, stats are one thing, feeling and reality are something else… the FTR1200 is a true modern day muscle bike! The way the FTR accelerates in a real-world (40-75mph roll on accelleration) environment is breath taking.
In order of using making sense in our own minds how a bike performs, we often compare them to other machines we’re more used to… roll in Geoff’s own Kawasaki Z1000sx!
Obviously, these bike do not relate to each other in any way and we’re quite clear about that during the video, however, it is the torquiest bike that we had on hand at the time, and the way that Geoff rides the bike is always using the torque of the Z1000sx, 5-6th gear roll on performance etc. And no doubt, the Kawasaki Z1000sx is a fast motorcycle with excellent in-gear accelleration, a hugely well rounded 1000cc inline 4 cylinder with loads of everyday usable poke (140ps and 81ft-lb torque to be clear). The Z1000sx is one of the best selling motorcycles in the UK year in and year out, a favourite with riders swapping their sportsbikes for something more comfortable, yet retaining a sporty feel, powerful engine and great handling… anyway, this test is about performance!
As you can see from the footage, the FTR 1200 smashed it, its lumpy v-twin motor stomping on to victory in all of our comparisons and capable of significantly more. The only test the Z1000sx clearly won was when we dropped it down a gear which obviously played to the strengths of the inline 4 machine. Clearly, once both bikes get above 100mph, the 4 cylinder will get much more in the power and take over, but this test was about real-world in gear acceleration. To confirm, we think both bikes are great and have excellent real world performance.
Maybe people think this test is a bit silly, but in our minds it helps us make sense of what the Indian FTR performs like in comparison to what we know! Hope you find it interesting.
All the gear we used on test is here:
Aaron was wearing:
Knox Urbane Pro Shirt - www.planet-kno....
Knox Handroid POD MKIV - www.planet-kno...
Richmond MKII Jeans - www.planet-kno....
Knox 2020 collection - www.planet-kno....
Geoff was wearing:
Knox Urbane Pro Utility - www.planet-kno...
Knox Hanbury MKII - www.planet-kno...
Knox Shield Jeans - www.planet-kno...
Finally, all the latest specification and images of the Indian FTR1200 are available here www.indianmoto.... . The latest specification on the Z1000sx is here www.kawasaki.c...
Hope you enjoyed this video on the Indian FTR 1200 vs Kawasaki Z1000sx, please like, comment and subscribe for more!
Aaron
KNOX
www.planet-kno...
For clarification, we did this test on a dual carriageway with no other traffic on it.

[@skippynj1979]

I try to tell my friends my ftr engine is like nothing I've ever ridden before... it feels like a 2 stoke motor... it's so raw and addictive..

[@jordanjoestar8839]

Friend rode one today (he has a 30th anniversary Kawi 636) and all he could say was "Holy Shit. I hit it in first and it did a wheelie through second and it was way more than i expected". This is a guy that power wheelies his bike 30 times a night.

[@MachoMadness69420]

I actually think the Kawasaki did a good job when you think about it being an inline four and down about 150cc. Goes to show that not every 4 cylinder bike is some road legal racerbike with a peaky engine. As the owner of Z900, which has a sleeved down Z1000 engine, I will say that the engine is so smooth that it some times makes the bike feel slower than it actually is.

[@ashish_z9]

From a standstill I still think Z900 will score a victory over the FTR over quarter mile!

[@Foreverrelaxed]

Just like the commute review, I appreciate this. Much more real world application shown here. This channel is my new favorite motorcycle channel.

[@KnoxArmour]

Thanks a lot Laine, appreciate it! Got some 🔥 content coming, so stick around! Aaron KNOX

[@toofastnobrakes]

Ide be curious to see the side by side pull of the 2022 ftr 1200 vs the older model

[@libinchandran9934]

“INDIAN “ !! For sure !

[@1990-t1j]

I'd like an FTR1200, and it would be the basic model. Who needs all the electronics? And the clock looks better than the fancy model. Interesting video.

[@KnoxArmour]

Yes, agree, personally not into the LCD screen on this bike. Full review coming next week on this bike. Thanks, Aaron KNOX

[@ridin_low193]

I actually really like the LCD screen. It’s my first bike with one and reminds me of all the modern technology on cars but on a bike. It connects to your phone so you can change your musics and see who’s calling and answer or decline it. Maybe it’s just me but I’m very receptive to newer technology. I actually wish the LCD screen did more.

[@edwardm9227]

@@ridin_low193 that's funny, when I had the test ride the dealer was telling me about the screen and I said I wouldn't be messing with it on the move, to me it's no different to being on your phone in a car. I pulled up to change things. I bought the base with the proper speedo, you also don't have to sign in to pull away, also nice 👍

[@marwood1969]

I have an FTR1200S. It was my first big bike. Idiotic I suppose, but I just love it.

[@FTRnRhome]

My first bike as well, and I'm doing just fine. It's a blast, no reason to get something smaller if you aren't riding like an asshole.

[@rubanowicz]

Ducati Diavel and Indian YESSS!!!!Kawasaki its wrong idea...

[@austinmatthews347]

did you try z with tc turned off think you would find its deliverying more power

[@AdrenalinePvP]

Just for the lols I wouldn't mind just seeing a ZX-10R vs FTR 1200 comparison

[@KnoxArmour]

Yes, the results would be a bit different ;)

[@Firestorm637]

Interesting. Not all about the horsepower which is usually at red line.

[@0321ReconMan]

4th gear is generally really strong on vtwins my KTM is the same way.

[@mark.lb116]

mark.lb Knox you confirmed something I already know. I purchased a FTR1200S Race Replica in May 2019. It is indeed a very fast “real world” bike. The FTR thrives on the street between 40 and 90 mph. Unlike IL4 liter bikes you don’t have to constantly ring its neck to find all the power and torque this “silly” bike makes.

[@KnoxArmour]

Yes great bike and got loads of power. Definitely not a "silly bike"... Thanks, Aaron KNOX

[@QDGC]

Which one is better for 100-200 mile highway driving?

[@KnoxArmour]

Z1000sx, no question! Aaron KNOX

[@Firestorm637]

V2’s feel special vs smooth in line 4 or V4.

[@austinmatthews347]

silly comparison totally different delivery z1000sx will destroy that silly bike just needs more revs

[@1990-t1j]

That's the point. It NEEDS more revs.

[@Foreverrelaxed]

I mean... I would not have it constantly revved out if I was cruising.

[@KnoxArmour]

Hi Austin, if you actually rode both bikes in tandem for 200 miles (which we did), you would know that they're both very fast. However, what you say isnt right, the Z1000sx will not destroy the FTR at all, even with much higher revs.. and we know, we did the tests. Thanks, Aaron KNOX

[@austinmatthews347]

@@1990-t1j yes but compared to most litre sport il4 engines its got a great spread of power but inevitably to reach peak performance it needs to be revved i ride my z1000sx on the road and my streetfightered gen 1 mille on track i have been riding since 1985 and i have had dozens of bikes believe me v twins cannot be compared against il4 its just a silly comparison twins develop the power and torque much lower than il4 but the trade of is smoother delivery better road manners the z1000sx is one of the best all rounders around have you rode one

[@austinmatthews347]

@@1990-t1j one thing that prompted me to reply to this test was the side by side gear to gear roll on if you were in a race on track on a litre inline 4 you wouldnt be in the same gear at the same time due your engine delivering its torque and bhp differently. i would say that comparison shows how good the kwak 1043 mill is

[@kevinh4910]

Not really fair test. Keeping revs down low of course the Vtiwn will win. Go heads up no preselected gears and see which is quicker

[@KnoxArmour]

Course its fair, its the same gear... plus we also tested 3 vs 4th and the Kawasaki won. The Ftr is a seriously quick bike in in-gear performance and easily as fast if not faster "in-gear" in comparison to the Z1000sx. Thanks, Aaron KNOX

[@duncanmacdonald8014]

I’ve tried this with my mates FTR my Kawasaki destroyed it every time. When the Kawasaki was In the correct gear it simply left it for dead. Misleading and unfair video.

[@KnoxArmour]

@@duncanmacdonald8014 yes and we showed that with the 3rd vs 4th test and the z1000sx won that... 3rd vs 3rd, 4th vs 4th etc, the FTR wins. Its not misleading and its not unfair its an in gear performance test that we actually did it ourselves. Thanks, Aaron KNOX

[@TheOverisel]

@@duncanmacdonald8014 You are making the a point that many ignore. When each bike is in its own OPTIMAL RPM/gear- the Kawasaki (or one can substitute a Honda CB1000ABS or Yamaha MT10) will pull away easily every time. Now the V Twin powerband is easier to enjoy on the street because its always instantly there compared to an engine that needs to be up high in the rev range- but high midrange and top end power is fun as well. I really like my 2019 Indian FTR1200. A liquid cooled higher revving big V Twin is alot of fun.

[@marcz9482]

I love the weird test and comparisons of the Indian, everyone is trying to justify the terrible engineering

[@codykeegan1848]

What's terrible about the engineering?