Franklin motorcycles, the first company to be granted dealership rights in the Republic of Ireland for the world-famous Indian Motorcycles, announced today that it will showcase the 2019 FTR 1200 S Race Replica Indian motorcycle when the company returns to the RDS this March at the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show. Indian Motorcycles has launched the world’s first street legal, flat track inspired sports bike as a homage to its rich history and current prowess in the sport. In the 1940s and early 1950s the company dominated the flat track racing circuits.
Following the company’s revival in 2013, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Indian returned to the sport. In 2016, Indian did just that and their historical pedigree was evident when the manufacturer won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Indian decided to take advantage of its racing achievements and decided to create the factory built FTR 1200 and FTR 1200 S, street legal versions of its winning flat track race machine.
Keith Reynolds, of Franklin Motorcycles, said: “The FTR is a truly unique machine. It is the first time a mainstream manufacturer that competes in flat track racing has taken one of its track bikes and developed a version for the road. It’s an incredible motorcycle that we believe will carve out a niche in the marketplace just for itself.”
Both versions of the FTR are powered by a liquid-cooled, 1203cc engine that generates 120 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 85 foot-pounds of torque at 6,000 rpm. They have a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch and the brakes consist of Brembo M4.32 four-piston calipers up front and a two-piston P34 in the rear. The FTR 1200 S comes with a 4.3-inch Ride Command LCD touchscreen display that replaces the analogue dash of the base FTR. The display on the FTR 1200 S enables riders to access additional electronic features not available on the base model, including allowing riders to disable the ABS. controls a full Bosch stability control system with six-axis inertial sensor and multiple riding modes. Bluetooth is built in, as is a USB port.
The base model will offer black paint only, on both frame and bodywork, while the FTR 1200 S comes in various combinations, including the race version with Indian red race livery and white tank panels.
Ruth Lemass, organiser of the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show, said: “There is a rich and diverse history surrounding all aspects of the industry from motorbikes to the scooter. Indian is a major part of this and to have such an iconic brand launching a world’s first to the Irish public at the show is fantastic.”
For stunning displays of truly amazing motorbikes and spectacular live action entertainment for all the family, visit The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS in Dublin, 1st-3rd March.
