My 1st Indian FTR1200 Ride!! • Is It Really That Cool..? | BikeReviews

[@bikegiant1376]

Shawn is the Bob Ross of motorcycle reviews.

[@1990-t1j]

Who's he?

[@Skunk72]

Love how you still get giddy when you ride something new! I am soooo jealous of your job.

[@DRPC-jr4ft]

For the first time in my life I want an American bike, absolutely stunning bit of kit.

[@jslots2]

Thanks for the look, I think Indian has a winner in the FTR.

[@japhethwar]

Ditch the rear fender thing, chain guard, reflectors, and through on an aftermarket can, it would be near flawless. If only it came in 17in tires.

[@richmckenney1562]

You have the tough job of test riding new bikes.. Dang it's good to be you. Love the vid. Have a great day!

[@servicarrider]

That is one sweet motorcycle. And what a sound you can get out of that beast. Indian did a wonderful job.

[@wiskkid]

Doesn't seem like you are able to access too many Triumphs but id love to see you review the Triumph Speedmaster for your opinion. Enjoy your videos through out my week.

[@duncanblanchard334]

Looks awesome, but need to change those tyres for something grippy. Definitely go for the akropovic exhausts. Will need to clear a space in the garage for this one Mr Smoaks

[@Willy_Milano]

I just test rode it (FT replica) and it has to be one of the best motorcycles in the world today. I was impressed with everything regarding the performance, the mechanical functions, and the quality. Aside from a couple of very minor comfort details, I was only disappointed with the price because it's mighty expensive, so Indian has a lot of work to do ahead if they want the public to get familiar with the FTR.

[@serious_in_seattle6917]

Beautiful bike! All Indians have great styling setting them apart from the competition. I want one so much!

[@Doug_Morgan]

Hahahaa....As soon as Kelly looked at you she had that "Oh lord he has gone fell in love with another bike" look on her face.

[@Walts-Travel]

Kelly's like don't be falling in love. Lol too late!

[@j.d.thompson3505]

They’ll never sell the other models now. This is Indian’s best bike by leagues.

[@rodv1469]

Yep, if they had this when I bought my scout, it would have been this instead.

[@fatguy8067]

That Indian is really something, of course You Loved it, it is a cool bike, don't blame You. Thanks for taking Us along for the ride.

[@thespankdmonkey]

Just the sound of your excitement at that walk around was amusing! Love the bike. So a good beginner bike eh? :)

[@Tonyinterviewz]

Idk about beginner

[@jimyoung8400]

Nice bike Shawn. Hope your arm heals from being twisted into test riding it. My wife and I will be in your neck of the woods, end of June, first part of July. Hoping to meet you and Kelly. Enjoy the ride and be safe.

[@gammaraytube]

Oh no! Now I have another dream bike I might have to get when I win the Loto!! What a beautiful machine. I bet it handles well in addition to going like stink. Thanks for the too short ride along Shawn.

[@denniscooper8317]

Looking into a bike and I’m bouncing between the ftr 1200 and the Ducati scrambler 1100

[@TJRohyans]

I'd love to have the opportunity to ride one on a closed course with someone who knows what they're doing and could teach me the finer points of racing a bike like that. After six years and almost 90,000 miles of riding, I've only ever ridden my V-Star and my Eluder with just a small amount of time on an 1100 Sportster and the new Ryker. It looks like soooo much fun! Peace and love.

[@ES44AC-2]

That was smart for Indian to put Cruise control on the FTR ! Its something that Honda has been leaving off some great machines. I like the USB charger too .

[@lamplove4914]

Vancouver! That’s where I got my scout 60, plan to trade it in for this bad boy eventually

[@paullee6663]

Holy Moly! That FTR 1200 is gorgeous. Saw my first Scout Bobber 'in the flesh' only a couple of weeks ago, thought that was lovely, but this is another league. Can't help thinking the black version should have been matt black throughout like your Iron 883.... I'm not sure of the battery box down there Shawn, I can see the reasoning behind it, but, that is a short mudguard and you have the battery itself, cables, wiring, probably fuses and relays etc ready to catch all that crud off the front wheel?

[@gasolinefleet]

Mine is arriving tomorrow! wondering how it compares to my R nine T

[@petertrapani8701]

Thanks for the ride Shawn very cool wheel. Be Cool and Ride Safe🇺🇸🏍

[@Youtube_Globetrotter]

How does the chassie feels like? Will it turn easy? Track day compability?

[@ShawnSmoak]

Feels great..! There are plenty of FTR's showing up at track days... Thanks!

[@jmmenell]

Very cool. I know it was a short ride, but how would you compare the feeling to the beloved R9T? How does the character, feel, and power compare? Sounds a tad quiet, but has a nice little thump to it... So...R9T Urban or FTR? Which would you ride away on?

[@dawidos117]

Lighthill I know this question is not to me and I don’t have the answer for you, but did you see finish quality on those two bikes you comparing? Used materials? R nine T is way better finished, IMO.

[@jmmenell]

dawidos117 I haven’t seen one in person yet, but I agree it’s hard to beat the R9T finish.

[@jmmenell]

dawidos117 I still don’t know how Shawn puts up with all the temptation haha

[@dawidos117]

Lighthill exactly 🙂 I’d like to be in his position, but on the other hand, I would not. To much temptation! Shawn must be tough to face it 😁 And let’s be honest, Kelly must be tough too! 😁

[@appalachianridgerunners6571]

Picking my up tomorrow!

[@ShawnSmoak]

Nice!! Congratulations!

[@motoknivesandgunsbyjt]

Please! Update. How are you liking it???

[@albertosbrolla8424]

I’m going to have to take a test ride on one of these soon, love the look of it! Thanks for sharing!👍

[@atticuslamoreaux3778]

Are you able to directly compare this to the rnine t?

[@pvflyer67]

That's a really cool bike.

[@flyingzebra311]

awesome ten shades of messed up cool ...I thought my Duke was cool ... nice bike

[@brad_Ca]

That is one good looking motorcycle. 😲❤️

[@paulmarion7578]

The dealer near me let me take one by myself for about 20 miles great bike but about $8K to much I think . I might rent one down in Virginia some time this summer for a few days .

[@FNGMOTO]

Shawn how tall are you? I’m 5’8 and I was surprised at the height of it. Full disclosure, I’m a very new rider. The only bike, other than the MSF bike I’ve ever ridden is my bobber.

[@FNGMOTO]

Baron I don’t want to buy it, I own a scout bobber. I sure would love to give it a rip though.

[@FNGMOTO]

Baron it is. I sat on one at the dealership and was a bit intimidated by it. That’s why I didn’t do the demo ride. In time my skills will increase. I practice weekly with my wife, we go out to the MSF range on base. I have the BRC 2 coming up Monday, my second time doing it. Had a lot of fun the first time.

[@FNGMOTO]

Baron ugh I would love to do a track day. Unfortunately, that’s not popular where I’m at. I still haven’t found a place but I’m looking.

[@james82744]

Pretty cool can't wait to see it up close :-)

[@billcotton1551]

Beautiful!!!

[@chrismills4213]

You said it best....very cool bike.

[@kindajal]

its like an Indian Ducati monster

[@fyorbane]

Beautiful looking bike.

[@thollingsworth4910]

Does the R model have a higher seat height?

[@jamesgruhn-n0dfi647]

Not sure if I like it or not. The air box is stunning but I guess my age is showing for the rest. Maybe the look will grow on me.

[@WoodyFletcher]

Ever thought about using a nice DSLR for your walk arounds?

[@ShawnSmoak]

If I had the time, I'd use my DSLR's..! Most these are at work, during work. Getting these little 1st ride reviews in are like a flash in the pan, as I have a full schedule of customers bikes to work on, some of them waiting in the riders lounge... Lol When I get brave enough to take the step of doing this for a living, they'll be full production reviews with 110% knowledge of the bikes I'm riding and reviewing... Thanks Woody!

[@IanTed]

Such a cool bike, fit right next to my GSA fine😆

[@bennyfitzgerald4457]

What’s MPG?

[@ronpettit3200]

Wow what a cool bike

[@ronpettit3200]

Does it have GPS in it

[@ShawnSmoak]

I do not believe so, but you be able to push it through a phone app at some point... www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/self-help/article/KA-01468/ Thanks Ron!

[@ronpettit3200]

That's a sharp bike

[@nebacanzer]

I love this bike’s overall design. It is cutting edge for an American bike and is leaps and bounds from any current Indian. I can see a lot of people wanting this, however when you consider its 1200cc engine it is a move backwards into a time when bigger is better. I don’t live in that time and nor do the milenials which will soon become the biggest money spending demographic. It should have been a 750, to compete with the Street Rod or a 900 to compete with a Street twin. Better yet it should have been a 650 and be on its own. Who really needs a 1200 anymore?

[@FrenchZebulon]

Je l'ai essayée hier, j'ai pas un avis aussi enthousiaste. J'adore son look, les chevaux arrivent en force à 6000trs mais le moteur n'est pas souple du tout à bas régime, on dirait un gros mono. Le point rédhibitoire c'est que la selle, donc ce qui est dessus, chauffe énormément; c'est une vraie punition en été !!! A ce prix je vais voir ailleurs

[@harleysrule2176]

So a bike with a little TV on it... I'll just stick to my old ZX1400 with real dial speedo and tac ...and more HP than that one will ever imagine. But I'm sure that is a nice bike too, in its way. I don't mean to be negative... just proud of my good old bike and don't like TVs that track me on mine.

[@paullee6663]

I hear you, completely agree a bike styled like this should have a (round) tacho and separate speedo IMHO However, all these modes and electronics and stuff sort of demand digital instruments doesn't it? Like you I'll stick with my (old school) speedo, and tacho (that collects condensation in the 'wrong' weather) for now..... RSM8 For all that I think it looks gorgeous, but at £12K in the UK there is a lot of competition.

[@ronaldvangulden7314]

Wonder if you are still using old school maps and roadbooks too...

[@paullee6663]

I sure am! I use a combination of both to be honest. (Old habits are hard to break as you get old :-) I find planning my route on a map, a part of the enjoyment of doing a tour. When I have the route fixed on the map (and hopefully) in my head, I log it into the satnav, that way I go the way I want to, and not the way it wants to.... not against satnavs at all, they are a great tool, and I sold them to many happy customers from when they hit the market for about 15 years....so, I liked them even more when they paid commission ! Incidentally, I'm a big fan of the Indian Scout Bobber and the FTR1200 please see my other post below. I'd love to own either of these bikes, I just prefer analogue 'clocks' on these sort of bikes. Just expressing my opinion, yours and others may be different of course and I completely respect that. If I was buying a BMW GSA1250 I'd want a TFT no question....oddly if I was buying the RT1250 I'd want it just as it is..... go figure??? I don't know why either...

[@paullee6663]

Ha Ha Ha !! I checked out your channel.... you ride a Ducati Scrambler right..... I fell for that good and proper....!! You should post some of your video's mate, I'm sure you would get lots of views with a Ducati Scrambler..... RSM8

[@Robert-oq3ul]

Looks fun

[@davidfalgout7304]

good for hooligan style, vibrates like a foot massager, power from another world, but I think I will keep my Springfield. The R1250GS is more useful, but the FTR looks so much better. It is a Flat track racer in name only. Its stronger on the street than off road. These are not meant as negatives, just the truth. BUT IT IS FINE TO LOOK AT!

[@richardhuff8201]

I need one!!!!

[@mkoehler222]

just bought one.very cool.

[@ckost2308]

Interesting that Indian put flat track tires on a bike that most likely won't ever see a flat track, I would have to put a sport tire on it right away, expensive! Still a pretty sick Scout, well done Indian!

[@ShawnSmoak]

They just look like flat track tires, they're DOT approved 50/50 (maybe more road) street tires... As it's a dirt track racing replica, and the performance to back it up, it simply had to come with tires that look the part..! Lol The engine was inspired by the Scout, but literally nothing on the FTR has anything to do with the Scout models. Thanks!

[@wooblebloc]

It really needs an exhaust. Sounds terribly quite.

[@Wooley689]

Nice bike, just don't like the tag/turn signal set up; it looks like a thrown on after thought.

[@theChestnutMtnTinman]

Sweet bikes

[@SalemCBR1]

I do wanna ride it

[@henryhonda8408]

WOW..... that is "crazy cool" like you always say..... MAN-O-MAN!!! Now THAT is love at first sight for sure.....

[@rl6319]

I think you should just buy one of those

[@HARMARSCH2]

Shawn, The Indian 1200 FTR is one gorgeous Motorcycle. Very cool.

[@tonyblake7318]

Any chance anyone will ever do a real review of this bike and discuss the pros and cons instead of dealers just building up the hype for this bike for over a year now?

[@ShawnSmoak]

I'll do so once we get one that's not presold and I can do more that a mile test ride..! Dealers aren't hyping it, as the bikes are just now showing up at their doors... The bike was only a concept a little over a year-and-a-half ago! Record time for concept to production of an all-new quality built bike.

[@fatguy8067]

Tony, I trust Shawn's opinion, it's not Dealer Hype, over the last few years of watching His vlogs on both channels, I've found that Shawn is very objective & honest on what He rides, this was the first time he rode this style of Indian and his time is limited. Shawn Loves to Ride!!!!

[@brianmorse8811]

It is really cool yes, I think I will have one of these fine running machines! God Bless America....

[@maustin5113]

For some reason most of the vlogs riding are just people laughing.. I’m guilty too, sometimes words just can’t quite say it..;-)

[@bazzamow7031]

Nice looking bike just need to get a 2nd mortgage to buy it

[@illduitmyself]

u live in a trailer?

[@bazzamow7031]

@@illduitmyself no in a nice house, U live in toilet?

[@DarthVader-1701]

S model* race replica color.

[@albertandrews130]

Its that cool Thats one bitchin dealership

[@GopherChoker.]

👍😎👍

[@dennism103]

Homerun Indian...

[@uncledanitv]

FTR means .FOR THE RICH😅

[@gustwowheeling7337]

mm...mm...mm...

[@hotwheel6663]

I hate the ugly ass rear fender plate thingy.

[@jimbeam4111]

This bike isn’t what they promised. The thing imo looks and sounds like 💩

[@ShawnSmoak]

There were NEVER any promises..!!! Only original concepts of the bike using converted factory race FTR750's... Of course we all hoped that the FTR race engine could have been converted into an emissions legal street bike, but that would have way more time! Harley is releasing some crazy new bikes they've been working on for a while in the next year or two, so they probably wanted to beat them to the punch..? Pure speculation at this point.... The sound is that of an emissions legal street bike, and the looks are purely subjective. You're views, however, are what we refer to as "The 1 Percenters"... But that's totally cool. 99% of the people who see it and hear it in person are drooling over how cool this bike is! When you ride one, you're nothing but a babbling puddle afterwards... Lol Thanks Jim!