Indian launches 2018 FTR1200 Flat Tracker ‘tribute bike’ for the road at EICMA

And if you think that this bike will remain a ‘tribute’ bike and NOT be turned into a road-going Flat Tracker that you’ll be able to buy next year, you want your bumps feeling.

We’ve been waiting for this as a production model for a while now – but Indian is still holding back on pushing a pukka, big capacity version of its FTR750 on the road just yet. However, this is the motorcycle that we’ve been told will make it to production in the relatively near future.

It looks mega. We want one.

Here’s what Indian is saying about this custom-built FTR1200 Flat Tracker:

Indian Motorcycle today recognised its championship-winning American Flat Track race team, the Wrecking Crew, with a custom-built Scout FTR1200 street bike.

The Scout FTR1200 Custom takes inspiration from the Scout FTR750 flat track race bike that Indian’s “Wrecking Crew” piloted throughout a dominating Championship season in the 2017 American Flat Track Series. Built in partnership with Indian’s race team, this one-off custom houses the Scout’s street-legal 1133cc V-Twin engine.

FTR1200 Custom is fitted with the Scout’s street-legal 1133cc V-twin engine

As well as honouring Indian’s race team of Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Brad Baker, the Scout FTR1200 Custom serves as an exploration of how Indian could expand brand perception around the world, with exciting new offerings that are relevant to a wider-ranging consumer set.

Out of the 18 flat track races that took place in 2017, the Indian Wrecking Crew took 37 of the 54 podium positions available, including six podium sweeps and 14 race wins, bringing Indian the manufacturer’s title and Mees his fifth AMA Grand National Championship.

Not only that, Mees, Smith and Baker swept the 2017 AFT Championship – placing 1^st, 2nd and 3^rd, respectively.

Mees tallied 10 wins out of 18 races and set a new single-season record of 17 finishes on the podium, while Smith was on the podium nine times, with four wins, three runner-ups and two third-place finishes. Baker tallied 10 podiums, despite being out with an injury and unable to compete in the final two races. He earned five runner-ups and five third-place finishes.

Following EICMA, the Scout FTR1200 Custom will go on a World Tour and exhibited at events throughout 2018 to help the brand to continue to expand its reach.

Indian’s Marketing Director, Reid Wilson, adds: “Indian has a rich racing history of winning and we aim to continue that with the FTR platform and beyond. As was the case with Indian’s original founders, we are using racing to develop, test and showcase the capabilities of our motorcycles. Indian will push boundaries by developing new products that will expand rider perceptions of American motorcycles. We plan to be respectful of Indian’s rich heritage, while expanding the reach of the brand over the long-term horizon.”

Meanwhile Indian’s VP/GM in Europe, Grant Bester, said he is excited to see the reaction to this custom bike in the European market: “While the US has the American Flat Track series, we too have seen a growth in flat track racing right here in Europe. Numerous Indian Scouts have been modified for flat track racing and the sport is becoming increasingly popular across Europe. This custom build will gain some attention as it goes on its World Tour and we will be really interested in the consumer feedback.”