Written by Martin Hodgson
In the biggest hint yet that Indian could finally deliver a production Street Tracker, the major American comes correct with this incredible road racer to be unveiled at EICMA this week. Having absolutely dominated the 2017 American Flat Track racing series with the FTR750 the company had all the inspiration they needed to pay homage to the championship-winning machine that decimated the competition. With the all-conquering Wrecking Crew on hand in Milan to lift the cover, Indian are set to present to the world a street legal variant that has mouths watering. Known as the Scout FTR1200 Custom, could this one-off build be the basis for a dream machine coming to a showroom near you.
Before you run to the bank, there is no official word as to the status of a production model, but when Pipeburn sat down with the good folks at Indian the possibility of such a development was woven through the conversation. “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,” explains the company’s media blurb.
Richard Christoph a senior industrial designer at the company and the man responsible for both the FTR750 bodywork design and that of the Indian Scout was approached by Greg Brew his department boss about doing the Scout engined FTR mash up Street Tracker about 4-5 months ago. Needless to say, he didn’t need to be asked twice, “I took the plans and twisted up an FTR750 body in sketches to fit over the Scout engine and chassis. One of the criteria, again, was to make this ‘street’ legal. Headlight, mirror, turn signals, brake, LP mount, etc. My main role was to make it look sexy as F*#K”. Job done, we say.
‘Consumers’, ‘street legal’, the words to whet the appetite of the motorcycling public just keep on coming, but it’s the hardware that does the talking! Working with the race team, Richard and his crew used a combination of factory Scout parts, FTR750 pieces and some bespoke items to bring the custom to life. The centrepiece is the factory Scout engine, 1133cc of thumping 60° V-twin muscle that pumps out an ultra-reliable 100+hp. The wiring harness comes from the factory Bobber, as does the switch gear and instrument cluster. But the factory hot rod gets a tasty tracker treat with the perfectly styled twin tip exhaust system from S&S.
To house it all a custom frame was built that enables the factory engine to utilise many of the goodies that get the chequered flag every race weekend. The suspension by Ohlins front and rear is just what Jared Mees used to clinch this year’s AMA championship, who along with Bryan Smith and Brad Baker secured the Manufacturers title for Indian too. Also from the Wrecking Crew’s FTR750 race winners are the stunning RSD wheels wrapped in Dunlop S pattern tyres and a host of components such as the triple trees and carbon fork guards. Of course, there is a lot more of the fibrous material on board and the one-off custom bodywork is as good as any you’ll see.
Looking exactly like a brutish tracker should it neatly covers the multi-piece fuel tank before extending rearward to create the classic tail piece styling. There are more beautiful carbon pieces wherever the eye looks, but what should really get us all excited is the integration of a headlight, mirror and turn signals.
Asked if Indian really were going to build a production street legal tracker and not just tease us all, Richard quickly shot back “We just did. Get us some money and we’ll build you another one!” So, head to your dealer and make the demand, because as incredible as this machines design and high end components are, it’s the addition of those little bits and pieces that allow us all to dare to dream!
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