The Indian Challenger fixed-fairing touring range powered by the new liquid-cooled 1770cc Powerplus engine has finally been unveiled.
Neither has been much of a secret with leaks and spy photos for months.
The Challenger looks like an Indian version of the Harley-Davidson Road Glide with its frame-mounted fairing providing more stability with light steering and agility.
Features include LED headlight, 19-inch cast front wheel and 16-inch rear 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, cruise control and keyless ignition.
There are three colour options, black, blue and red.
Handling is aided by upside-down 43mm forks and a hydraulically adjustable Fox rear shock.
The Challenger has a lightweight cast-aluminium frame, Metzeler Cruisetec tires and stopping power is provided by race-spec, radially-mounted Brembo brakes.
It will come in three models: Challenger ($US21,499), a blacked-out Challenger Dark Horse ($US27,999) and flagship Challenger Limited ($US27,999).
Challenger
Challenger Dark Horse
Challenger Limited
The Limited has Smart Lean Technology with 6-axis Bosch IMU, Dynamic traction control, ABS with cornering control, and Drag Torque Control.
There is no word yet from Indian Motorcycle Australiaon arrival and pricing but those prices are similar to the Springfield which retails here for $A35,495 (ride away).
Powerplus power
As we reported back in April, the liquid-cooled, DOHC 1770cc V-twin engine produces 91kW of power (122hp) and 178Nm of torque.
It is believed the quad-valve Powerplus was originally developed as the Victory Freedom V2 before Polaris axed the brand in 2017.
The new liquid cooled Powerplus powered motorcycle range are smaller than the current 111-cube Thunderstroke V-twin that powers the Chief and Roadmaster models.
Indian Motorcycle has unveiled its liquid cooled 1770cc engine with three ride modes called the Powerplus to be fitted to a new line of Challenger motorcycles.
The move was leaked in a video from the company dealer conference in the USA in July and has now been confirmed.
The video was been taken down, but is still available on Motorcycle.com.
However, it’s slightly more powerful with 91kW (122hp) and 178Nm of torque.
It is believed the quad-valve Powerplus was originally developed as the Victory Freedom V2 before Polaris axed the brand in 2017.
2020 Indian Challenger spy photo
Liquid cooling should make the engines compliant with the next generation of European emissions targets.
The new liquid cooled Powerplus powered motorcycle range will be smaller than the current 111-cube Thunderstroke V-twin that powers the Chief and Roadmaster models.
Powerplus will be available in chromed and black-out versions.
It is not yet known how many models will be in the range, when they will be released and whether they will replace the Chief and Roadmaster models or be an extra line-up.
Spy photo of a 2020 Indian Challenger
Here is the official release from Indian:
The PowerPlus will serve as the heart of the new Indian Challenger, an all-new, fixed-fairing bagger that utilises Indian Motorcycle’s state-of-the-art technology to become the highest-performing American V-twin ever developed. The new engine’s name is a nod to Indian Motorcycle’s iconic history, paying homage to the Indian PowerPlus motorcycle produced from 1916 to 1924.
“We challenge our engineers with the notion that anything less than best-in-class design and performance will simply not get it done, and it’s clear with this new engine that they have delivered on that high standard,” said Steve Menneto, Indian Motorcycle President. “Countless hours were spent in design, development and testing to ensure this is the best liquid-cooled V-twin ever developed, and I could not be prouder of our team and this incredible motor.”
The PowerPlus adopts several design and performance features from the liquid-cooled 1,133 cc Indian Scout engine, including an overhead camshaft design utilising four valves per cylinder. But comparisons end there. The PowerPlus was developed with a big-piston, big-torque mindset with an end game of maximum power delivery across the entire curve.
Power Plus Engine – Chrome – Left.
The all-new powertrain features a six-speed transmission with true overdrive, assist clutch to reduce clutch effort, and three ride modes that allow riders to tailor throttle mapping to their riding preferences. Advanced technology also includes hydraulic valve lash adjusters and hydraulic camshaft chain tensioners for ease of maintenance and reliability.
The PowerPlus was tested, refined and proven by one of the industry’s most rigorous development and testing programs, accumulating over one and a half million kilometres of simulated testing, including state-of-the-art dyno testing, and more than 400,000 on-road kilometres.
“You simply cannot deliver the ultimate bagger without an engine that stands head and shoulders above anything else in its class, and that was the motivation behind the PowerPlus,” said John Callahan, Indian Motorcycle Vice President, Engineering. “We developed the most sophisticated V-twin powerplant in the industry, and then we spent month after month, hour upon hour, putting it through the most intense paces to ensure it could take whatever we threw at it. The end result is something truly special.”
Indian Motorcycle PowerPlus Engine Specifications:
Motoring out of town I was surprised at how well the big 1200cc bike handled the tame duties of riding through traffic.
This could very well be a reasonable commuter with its high riding position and light clutch pull.
Which started me thinking that this could be more than just a flat track racer or “street tracker”.
Peter at Brisbane Indian motorcycle with the four accessory packs
In fact, Indian motorcycle has four accessories packs that turn it into a semi-tourer with some luggage capacity, a rally pack for adventure, a sport pack full of bling and a tracker pack.
It’s difficult to know where this sporty, naked road bike with some dirt capabilities sits in the market.
Here are some of the comparative bikes that went through my head as I rode around the Brisbane hinterland: Ducati Monster 1200 (from $22,990), KTM 1290 Super Duke R ($26,795), BMW S 1000 XR (from $22,850), Triumph Speed Triple R ($20,990) and Yamaha MT-10 SP ($21,499).
that’s by no means a complete list and you could probably also include some of the big adventure bikes or the wilder street fighters like Ducati’s coming V4 Streetfighter.
Powertrain
The comparative bikes have a wide variety of engine configurations.
But if you love a meaty V-twin feel with plenty of torque and vibe, this 1203cc 60-degree V-twin mill should satisfy.
Now let’s go straight to the controversy over spluttering fuelling issues experienced by owners.
I didn’t experience it on my first ride as the bike was warmed up and I was eager to twist the throttle.
The issue is really evident when the bike is cold or warming up where some even say it can stall.
It’s also more evident in smooth on/off throttle riding, such as slower-speed manoeuvres.
There seems to be a flat spot just off idle and a lurching on constant low throttle.
The issues are very similar to those I experienced on the early Scout models.
Indian fixed that issue with a software update, so I don’t understand why they let this loose without fixing the issue first.
I found I quickly got around the issue by slipping a bit of clutch at slow speeds and just winding on the throttle a little more vigorously at other times to bypass the flat spot.
It’s more evident in the “sport” engine mode than the “standard” or “rain” modes.
Power is ok at 92kW at 8250rpm, but it runs out of a bit of puff, especially in the short first gear.
Thankfully the engine has so much grunt, you twist the throttle and slip through the gears and ride the big 120Nm wave of torque.
I love the deep and mellow tone of the Akrapovic pipes which have a devilish crackle on the overrun. (Listen to the video below through your home stereo for best results.)
While not as slick as a Japanese transmission, the six-speed box with slip assist clutch is faultless with neutral easy to find.
Despite some hard charging on test, the instruments told me the 13L tank would give me a touch over 220km of range.
Power is evenly spread across the rev range, but there is a nice bump around 3500 revs.
It sits at 3700 revs on 100km/h in sixth where you can roll on the throttle for overtaking without having to swap any cogs.
The standard model doesn’t get traction control, but the S and Race Replica do.
You can turn it off in all modes, but it also turns off the ABS and wheelie control. I’d prefer a little more latitude to turn off each individually and, ideally, the option to turn off the rear ABS only for riding on dirt.
But it’s a predictable traction control that not only saves you on wet or gravel roads, but also allows a little bit of controlled slip.
Styling
This is another controversial point.
The concept production bike with its high pipe and FTR750 influences was cutting-edge, raw and manic looking. It attracted a lot of attention.
Of course the production version with its lower pipes and “plumper” belly were a little tamer. Some were disappointed.
But it still cuts a sharp figure in the urban landscape and turns heads wherever it goes, especially with its stunning LED lighting front and rear.
It’s tall with a choice of seat heights of 805mm or 840mm, but the seat is narrow allowing me at 183cm to plonk both feet flat on the ground when stopped.
The seat is also very firm, but you can get a slimmer “race” seat or a more comfy touring seat option.
I found the standard seat good for a couple of hours in the saddle by which time you will be glad you are in search of a fuel stop, anyway.
The ProTaper bars are nice and wide, but a little low if you want to stand up in the saddle for off-road duties. A higher set of bars is also available.
Riding position is neutral except for the tight knee bend thanks to the high pegs. I think they could be lowered a little without any clearance issues as I never once scraped the pegs.
The mirrors are big and ugly, but could be replaced. However, they offer a good rear view with no elbows in the way or blurred images.
They are just short of the wide bars but high, so lane filtering can be tricky around SUVs and utes with high and wide mirrors.
My biggest concern was the heat that comes out of the rear cylinder head which is about 30mm from the backs of my thighs.
In slow traffic and while waiting at the lights, it gets very hot. A heat shield or leather pants would bemandatory for commuting duties.
While the basic model has a single, round instrument pod, the S and Race Replica have a smart TFT anti-glare touchscreen about the size of an iPad mini with all the info you would ever need and more.
Not sure why the screen doesn’t go all the way to the edge of the pod, though.
Antiglare screen in full sun
You can personalise your info, link to your phone, change modes, monitor phone calls, and manage your music, etc.
All info is available via the touchscreen which works well with all types of gloves, or you can use three lots of controls on the instruments and bars.
The indicators are self-cancelling which is a great safety device, but they stay on a little too long. Perhaps that can be adjusted in servicing.
Like all Indian products, the quality of fit and finish is exemplary.
Surprisingly, there is some messy wiring around the triple clamp, the controls are toylike, and the ugly catalytic convertor box underneath is an eye-catching eyesore.
Messy wiring
Dinky controls
Ugly box
I’m also not too sure about the models with the isolated rear fender.
Many other bikes now have these, but the FTR 1200’s rear wheel hugger/fender is attached by massive pieces of metal and it’s all a bit too chunky.
Overall, it’s a stunning steed with thick paint and a host of options including different coloured tank panels.
Handling
This American-made motorbike comes with German-made Sachs suspension on all three models.
Standard has preload adjustment on the back, but the S and Race Replica are fully adjustable.
It feels firm around town and is stable on the highways.
On bumpy back roads and gravel roads, it’s also compliant enough to soak up the big hits and has good high-frequency damping to cope with corrugations.
The FTR rides nicely on all types of road surfaces and won’t jar your spine or jackhammer your hands.
The 43mm forks are robust and provide confidence in cornering even if the 19-inch front wheel makes steering a little ponderous.
However, the weight distribution with the fuel tank located centrally and under the seat, makes it easy to change direction quickly through a series of tight esses.
The 19/18-inch tyre combo is strange and the flat-track tread pattern is handsome if a bit noisy on the highway and slightly vague when leaned over on the sharp edge.
The Dunlops were also quite slippery in the wet, although it had only just rained after a long dry spell, so the roads were very oily.
Brakes are strong and the rear is not just there for show. It works well in the gravel to dig in and steer the bike, but on those wet roads it locked up too soon and the ABS took some time to come on.
Conclusion
This handsome steed will turn heads while turning you on across several different types of terrain.
It’s a street tracker, a streetfighter and a mild tourer and adventurer.
More spy photos have emerged for the upcoming Challenger bagger from Indian Motorcycle believed to be powered by a liquid-cooled 1770cc engine called the Powerplus.
We are not allowed to tell you where the blurry photos came from, but the bike looks like a “challenger” to the Harley-Davidson Road Glide.
Like the Road Glide, it appears to have a big, frame-mounted fairing.
While it may look bulbous and ugly, a frame-mounted fairing has less weave effect on the bike’s stability at high speed.
Earlier this year, a video from the company dealer conference in the USA emerged showing the Powerplus engine.
The video was taken down, but is still available on Motorcycle.com.
Indian Motorcycle has increased engine capacity to up the ante over Harley-Davidson with select Thunderstroke models now having a 116 engine, replacing the 111 (1818cc).
Actually it’s 115ci (1884cc), but it’s still a 20% power boost over the 111.
The “116” was previously an aftermarket upgrade big bore kit, but is now standard in the Springfield Dark Horse, plus all Chieftain and Roadmaster models.
2020 Chieftain Elite
It features a new high-flow cylinder head with 168Nm of torque.
The engine capacity move leapfrogs Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 (1868cc) engine which is available in select models, such as the new Low Rider S. (We will road test it at the Australian media launch in Sydney next week, attended by Harley boss Matt Levatich.)
However, it’s still short of Harley’s CVO models with the Milwaukee Eight 117-cube (1923cc).
Indian Motorcycle Australia and New Zealand marketing manager Chris Gale says the price difference for the same model in the table above is for two-tone or metallic paint options over the single or standard paint.
The Thunder Stroke 116 features rear-cylinder deactivation to keep riders cooler when sitting for long spells at the traffic lights.
Harley had the feature some time ago but dropped it.
RideCommand update
2020 Roadmaster Dark Horse RideCommand Infotainment system
Indian has also revamped their very comprehensive RideCommand infotainment system and app.
It now features a quad-core processor which they claim will make it faster to load and respond.
New features include “Google-like” predictive destination search capabilities and customisable 18cm touchscreen.
Roadmaster Dark Horse
Roadmaster Dark Horse
The Roadmaster Dark Horse features a streamlined fairing, slammed saddlebags, 19-inch front wheel with an open fender, an extended reach Rogue gunfighter seat, blacked-out engine and matte paint.
Springfield Dark Horse
Springfield Dark Horse
This is similar in style to the 2020 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield Dark Horse launched at Daytona Bike Week.
It features slammed saddlebags, Rogue seat, 12-inch mini apes and blacked-out finishes.
Chieftain Elite
2020 Chieftain Elite
The big tourer gets a streamlined fairing, slammed saddlebags and PowerBand Audio Plus system.
It comes in a two-tone Thunder Black Vivid Crystal over Wildfire Candy paint with matching motor highlights and badging, Precision Machined Elite wheels, Pinnacle Mirrors, Select Rider Floorboards, and a Flare Windshield.
Chief
Chief Dark Horse
Even though they don’t get the engine capacity upgrade, Chief Dark Horse and Chief Vintage now have the same chassis as the Springfield and Springfield Dark Horse to improve handling.
They also now have adjustable rear suspension and a 17-inch front wheel.
Roadmaster
Roadmaster
Indian says the 2020 Roadmaster is lighter but don’t quote figures.
The top box has also been redesigned.
Colours
Chief Dark Horse: Thunder Black Smoke
Chief Vintage: Thunder Black; Willow Green over Ivory Cream
Springfield: Thunder Black; Burgundy Metallic over Titanium Metallic
Springfield Dark Horse: Thunder Black Smoke; Sagebrush Smoke; White Smoke
Chieftain Dark Horse: Thunder Black Smoke; Ruby Smoke; Titanium Smoke
Chieftain Dark Horse
Chieftain Limited: Thunder Black Pearl; Radar Blue; Thunder Black Pearl with graphics package
Chieftain Elite: Thunder Black Vivid Crystal over Wildfire Red Candy
Roadmaster: Thunder Black; Burgundy Metallic; Pearl White over Titanium Metallic with black Pinstripe; Titanium Smoke over Thunder Black Smoke with silver pinstripe
Roadmaster Dark Horse: Thunder Black Smoke; White Smoke; Ruby Smoke
Chieftain Limited
Accessories
Stage 1 Slip-On Exhaust in black or chrome;
Stage 1 Oval Slip-On Muffler Kit and Stage 1 Performance Air Intake (4 power increase on 111 and 8% on 116);
Stage 2 Performance Cams (13% horsepower increase on 111);
Thunder Stroke 116 Stage 2 Performance Kit includes cams, higher flowing fuel injectors and throttle body (17% horsepower boost when paired with both Stage 1 accessories);
Thunder Stroke 116 Stage 3 Big Bore Kit (20% more horsepower);
Headdress Passenger Floorboards;
Headdress Rider Floorboards;
12” Quick Release Passenger Sissy Bar;
Passenger Backrest Pad; and
12-inch Ape Hanger Handlebars for Chief and Springfield models.
For 2020, the Indian Scout gets a new model and a limited edition to mark its 100th anniversary, plus better brakes, tyres and a host of accessories for current models.
“We will be selling the 100th Anniversary and Bobber Twenty in Australia and will receive stock later this year. No dates confirmed,” he says.
The Scout Sixty is not returning to Aussie showrooms “any time soon”, he says.
Bobber Twenty
2020 Indian Scout Bobber Twenty
The new Scout is a Bobber Twenty which refers to 1920 and pays homage to the original Scout in its 100th year since it began.
In acknowledgement of its tradition it comes with classic wire wheels, 10-inch ape hanger handlebars and a floating saddle like the original.
Expect a small premium over the standard ride-away Bobber price of $A18,995.
They come in a choice of Thunder Black, Sagebrush Smoke (green) and Burnished Metallic (red).
Scout 100th Anniversary
Limited-edition 2020 Indian Scout 100th Anniversary.
Only 750 limited-edition 100th Anniversary models will be available worldwide.
It is highlighted by the “100th” badge on the engine and features “Indian Motorcycle Red” paint with “Anniversary Gold” trim, a desert tan leather solo seat, black wire wheels, beach bars, a luggage rack and chrome finishes.
Limited-edition 2020 Indian Scout 100th Anniversary
In the US, they cost an extra 28% more than the standard model, so they could be around $A24,000.
Scout updates
2020 Indian Scout Bobber
Scout and Scout Bobber models get upgraded brake callipers, master cylinders and floating rotors.
Bobber now comes with Pirelli MT60RS tyres.
All other Scout models get a new sport seat and passenger pegs.
There will be quite a colour range to choose from.
2020 Indian Scout.
Accessories
For those who want to convert these competent cruisers into competent tourers, there is a host of accessories.
The most interesting is the colour-matched quick-release bikini fairing with a 5cm windscreen or optional 12cm and 18cm screens.
2020 Indian Scout.
2020 Indian Scout.
2020 Indian Scout.
There is also a solo luggage rack and solo rack bag and new semi-rigid quick-release saddlebags.
2020 Indian Scout.
Other accessories include a new Bobber seat plus bar-end mirrors, smoked turn signal lenses, tinted windshields and various handlebar and foot control options for the standard Scout.
To cap it off are new stage 1 shorty slip-on mufflers and a 2-into-1 full exhaust system.
There are movies and TV shows, not to mention books and comic books, that define their heroes, villains, perhaps antiheroes by the wheels they use to move around. These wheels, two or four, depending on the necessities of the plot, are sometimes placed inside the story by the courtesy of the show’s sponsors, in a practice called “product placement”. This is why various brands are depicted as the most reliable cars in the world. When it comes to motorcycles, though, product placement is pretty rare. This doesn’t mean motorcycle brands are not present in popular culture – but their brands are there not as a means of raising some funding but due to their meaning, mythos, and image.
Peter Fonda on Captain America in Easy Rider
Harley-Davidson is the brand that shows up most often in movies and TV shows, especially since the success of the legendary “Easy Rider” with the late Peter Fonda in the main role. There’s no telling how much of its popularity is due to its legendary status or clever marketing, but the fact remains: it’s arguably the best-known motorcycle brand in the world, with frequent cameos in various movies, TV shows, books, even comic books. Unfortunately, nobody ever made a list of all the movies that feature Harleys but here are some of the most famous ones: Meat Loaf rides a WLA in the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, Sylvester Stallone rode an FLH 80 in “Rocky III” and “Rocky V”, James Marshall rode a 1978 FLH-80 in the iconic TV series “Twin Peaks” (and the follow-up film “Fire Walk With Me”), and to have a more recent example, too, Chris Evans rode a Softail Cross Bones (made to look like a WLA) in “Captain America: The First Avenger).
The World’s Fastest Indian
Back in the early 1900s, Indian was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. It had quite a few popular models, like the Chief (between the 1920s and the 1950s) and the Scout (manufactured until 1946) but this didn’t stop the manufacturer from going bankrupt in 1953. Since then, several companies tried to revive the Indian brand, with various (usually limited) success.
Indian motorcycles show up in quite a few movies, quite often those taking place in the inter-war period. A 1934 Indian Sport Scout is featured in the 2001 war drama “Pearl Harbor”, Mark Wahlberg rides a customized Indian Scout in Ted 2, Jason Lee rides a blue 1933 Indian Chief owned by enthusiast Dennis Brilla of Plantsville in his movie “Good Ol’ Boy”, and Jean-Claude van Damme rides a beautiful 1950 Indian Chief in the 1999 action flick “Inferno” (also known as “Desert Heat”). One of the “revived” Indian bikes also tried to break into show business: in the forgettable “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”, Arnold Schwarzenegger rides a 2002 Indian “Police” Chief (the bike was later sold at an auction for under $10,000).
The Great Escape
Finally, let’s take a look at the biggest and perhaps best-known British motorcycle brand in history, Triumph, that had its share of Hollywood spotlight. Triumph Engineering, the company behind the brand, was founded in 1885 and started producing bicycles in 1889, and motorcycles in 1902. The original company went bankrupt in 1983 and the brand ended up with its successor Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, becoming the largest UK-based motorcycle manufacturer.
Triumph bikes have shown up in the movies for ages – one of the first to do so is a Triumph Thunderbird 6T that Marlon Brando rode in the 1953 movie “The Wild One” (it was his own bike). One of the most famous performances by a Triumph bike was Steve McQueen’s iconic escape in “The Great Escape” – he rode a modified Triumph TR6 Trophy in the movie, modified to resemble a German BMW. Clint Eastwoodrode a Triumph Bonneville in “Coogan’s Bluff”, Pamela Anderson rides a Triumph Thunderbird in 1996’s infamous “Barb Wire”, Norman Reedus rides a chopped Triumph Bonneville from the 1960s in the popular post-apocalyptic TV series “The Walking Dead”, and Chris Pratt’s character rides a Triumph Scrambler in 2015’s “Jurassic World”.
The folks at Indian Motorcycle continue to come up with off-the-wall ideas that kick ass and you are looking at their latest venture: Appaloosa. This is a one-of-a-kind custom Scout Bobber built by the famous fabricator Brice Hennebert of Workhorse Speedshop. It was designed to compete in the Sultans of Speed Sprint series in Europe, and Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola has agreed to pilot this wild stallion in the upcoming competitions.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Indian Motorcycle and I’m really looking forward to racing this amazing creation,” Mamola says. “It’s great to be part of this project, especially during the Scout’s 100th anniversary. With the Sultans of Sprint being such a unique series, it’s going to be a lot of fun soaking up the atmosphere, meeting the crowds, and putting on a show for them.”
For those of you who are not aware of the Sultans of Speed then you can check out the video below. But basically it is a gathering of classic-style motorcycles, built in whatever retro cool style you can come up with, that drag race from point A to point B at the behest of a flagger dressed in rockabilly garb. It’s old-school racing that those crazy kids of Europe really enjoy.
For this particular project, Indian had the goal of commemorating the 100th anniversary of its Scout, which was first released in 1919, hence Appaloosa will compete with the number 19 on the plate. This motorcycle has been designed with sprint racing in mind too. The fuel tank has been narrowed and the controls are set up in a drag racing configuration that will have Mamola splayed out with his weight forward, along with an extended swingarm for maximum traction. The jet-fighter-inspired bodywork should help shield Mamomla’s mass while it slices through the air.
With companies like Akrapovič, Öhlins, and Beringer Brakes helping Workhorse get it completed, you can be sure this bike will be as impressive on the track as it is to look at. Especially with the free-spirited Mamola at the controls.
“I wanted a name that could link Workhorse, Indian Motorcycle, and speed,” Hennebert explains. “As soon as I discovered that the American horse breed Appaloosa was one of the world’s fastest horses, I knew I had the name for an American sprint bike built by Workhorse. After putting so much into this build, I’m excited to see the reaction to it and I can’t wait to see Randy blast it down the racetrack.”
In addition to competing in the Sultans of Sprint championship, Indian Motorcycle also plans to have the bike on display in the UK during The Bike Shed (May 24–26) and at Wheels & Waves in France (June 12–16).
Indian motorcycle is marking the 100th anniversary of the Scout model with a NOS custom drag bike with a dustbin fairing that looks like an old jet fighter plane.
The Appaloosa, named after America’s fast horse breed, is based on the popular FTR 1200.
It will compete in the quirky Sultans of Sprint series throughout Europe this northern summer.
The jet fighter-esque custom was piloted at the first event in Monza last weekend by Randy Mamola who came second in four 500cc GP championships in the 1980s.
Randy and the NOS Appaloosa
It will also be raced in June and August events and be displayed at various shows such as France’s Wheels and Waves festival in June.
NOS horsepower
Appaloossa is based on the new FTR 1200, but with a nitrous oxide system for drag racing boost to 130 horsepower, up from the FTR’s 100hp.
It was built by Brice Hennebert of Workhorse Speedshop in Belgium who cut and narrowed the tank to 2.5-litre capacity for sprint races.
Brice and the Appaloosa
They also had to swap the belt drive for a chain to handle the extra power and extend the rear swingarm to keep it on the ground.
Appaloosaalso features Öhlins STX 36 piggyback rear shock absorbers, Retro 43 front forks and steering damper.
Bringing the NOS-powered drag racer to a stop are Beringer 4D brakes.
FTR 1200
FTR 1200 base and S model
No, we don’t expect this will be the basis for a future FTR1200 variant, but we do expect more models in this popular family.
Meanwhile, the FTR 1200 is about to arrive in Australian showrooms in a basic model in black for $20,995 ride away and the FTR 1200 S in red and grey or titanium and black for $22,995.
It will also be available in a Race-Replica paint scheme with red frame matching the FTR750 race bike starting at $24,995 ride away in Australia. It comes standard with an Akrapovic exhaust.
