By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Retro Classic
Indian FTR (MY2019-S) vs Triumph Speed Twin 1200 (DD01)
Indian FTR vs Triumph Speed Twin 1200: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
Crack the throttle on the Indian FTR and the V-twin's pulling hard at once, then it winds out into a top-end rush you'll chase. The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 simply pulls, wherever the revs sit.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Speed Twin 1200 if…
Keeping running costs low
Strong pick: Speed Twin 1200
If you'd rather spend your money on gas and gear than at the shop, the Speed Twin 1200 makes far more sense.
The Speed Twin 1200 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Speed Twin 1200
The Speed Twin 1200 nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The FTR and Speed Twin 1200 sit in different classes, so value is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
FTR
The FTR's no lightweight, yet its nose tracks into a bend exactly where you aim it. Its suspension's stiff, and it still flicks through city traffic with no fuss. Its stock Dunlops don't give much grip or feel on pavement, least of all when you're leaned over at pace. The bar begs for bends.
Speed Twin 1200
The Speed Twin 1200 doesn't steer in until you lean on the bar, and it never darts at the apex by itself. Once it's pointed, the bike keeps drawing itself back toward upright. There's little weight to fight as you swing it from one bend to the next. Its exhaust sings a rich note.
Nils rode the Speed Twin 1200 in Spain in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Speed Twin 1200 has the lower seat: 31.8 in (807 mm) vs 33.1 in (840 mm).
- The Speed Twin 1200 has the lower wet weight: 476 lb (216 kg) vs 508 lb (230 kg).
- The FTR makes more peak power: 125 hp (93 kW) vs 96 hp (71 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Look elsewhere
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
Look at commuting and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
FTR
What owners say
Strengths
- Lusty, eager V-twin engine
Trade-offs
- Poor factory fuel mapping
- Stock Dunlop DT3-R tires lack street grip
Speed Twin 1200
Strengths
- Built to Survive a Close Look
- Stops the Room Cold
- Feels Smaller Than It Is
- Torque Always On Tap
- Charismatic, torque-laden engine
Trade-offs
- Rear Brake Squeals When Worked
- USB Port Buried and Useless
- Cheap-feeling rear shock on bumpy roads
Known problems to check before you buy
FTR
- ABS brake light software fault Recall 24V069000 The ABS module software may cause inadvertent brake light illumination during certain riding conditions without rider input, increasing crash risk. Addressed via NHTSA recall 24V069000 (Indian I-24-03).
- Coolant junction leak Recall 22V636000 The coolant junction may fail and leak hot coolant onto the rider or rear tire, increasing the risk of injury or crash. This was addressed in NHTSA recall 22V636000 (Indian I-22-04).
- Cold start stalling and erratic fueling Due to the stock ECU mapping, the engine frequently stalls when cold, idles erratically, and suffers from surging and abrupt throttle response. Aftermarket ECU tuning (e.g., Dynojet PV3) resolves most symptoms.
- Gear position sensor failure The gear position sensor may intermittently fail, causing blank or incorrect gear displays on the dash.
Speed Twin 1200
- Warped front brake discs Some owners have reported warped front brake discs, causing pulsing through the lever and reduced braking effectiveness.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old FTR with a 7-year-old Speed Twin 1200.
- FTR
- about $9,200
- Speed Twin 1200
- about $7,200
At seven years old, the Indian FTR sits around $9,200 while the Triumph Speed Twin 1200 lands near $7,200. That's a $2,000 gap in the Speed Twin 1200's favor. These are estimates from earlier US market records, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| FTR | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 31.8 in (807 mm) |
| Wet weight | 508 lb (230 kg) | 476 lb (216 kg) |
| FTR | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1203 cc | 1200 cc |
| Engine | 60° V-twin | Parallel twin |
| Power | 125 hp (93 kW) | 96 hp (71 kW) |
| Torque | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| FTR | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 US gal (12.9 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| FTR | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-18 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| FTR | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
