Rode some things yesterday

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/10/2019 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

Photo stolen from decay because I didn’t take any.

Anywho... Indian demo day. There were a ton of guys there wearing Harley gear. Indian is really trying to pull customers away from Harley. Decay and I each rode an FTR1200 and a Scout Bobber and came to the same conclusion. Indian is making the best American motorcycles right now by a long shot.

FTR is a little buzzy, but fun. It’s no Monster or street triple, but no current American bike comes close to how good it is to ride. The suspension is perfect and handling is quick and crisp, not far off from a Monster actually. Transmission is a little clunky but works fine. That being said, we both felt it’s overpriced. If the base bike was 12k and the top trim were 13.5k they would sell a ton of them. If you're in the market for an RnineT or Thruxton R, this is definitely worth a look.

The Bobber was much smoother. Not fast, but not hurting for power. The torque feels good. This thing kicks the shit out of Harley. Better power delivery. Better gearing. Better suspension. Better handling. The chassis doesn’t feel like a wet noodle. Transmission similarly clunky to the FTR. Priced much better.

I really liked them both and would consider picking them up used a few years from now. Indian is definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a new bike. They keep this up and they might put Harley out of business.

DISCUSSION (19)

Discerning > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 11:15

Over 15k is insane for what that bike offers on paper.

But I feel the same way about the RnineT and thruxton, so you’re probably right on the money.

I find it very amusing that BMW charges less for the S1000r, but I guess that's what the market will pay for the boxer.

412GTI > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 11:43

My good buddy just traded his year old Scout in on one of those FTR’s. He really likes it and has gotten two other friends to buy Scouts. They seem like good bikes.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Discerning
06/10/2019 at 12:25

Completely agreed. I love all of these bikes, but would never pay that much new for any of them. Not even close.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > 412GTI
06/10/2019 at 12:25

I hope they sell enough FTR's to keep making and improving them. They're a lot of fun.

Manny05x > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 12:43

I also test rode the FTR and the Bobber, i found the FTR a bit tall for me. The power was there i loved it since i am a naked bike fanatic. I agree Indian making some great bikes.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Manny05x
06/10/2019 at 12:50

I thought it was tall also. I can flat foot both feet on my Monster, but it’s a one foot tippy toe situation on the FTR and I’m 5'11".

Discerning > 412GTI
06/10/2019 at 12:56

I would consider one of it she d the following:

$6k

90 lbs

30hp

Manny05x > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 13:15

I am 5’6 so you know how that went lol.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Manny05x
06/10/2019 at 13:47

Did you have to jump off at every stop?

Manny05x > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 14:55

Noo i rode the rally edition one and the seat was a bit “lower” or had less padding but i was on my tip toe.

Variance > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 15:03

Maybe I’m just a cheap-ass, but I can’t possibly imagine spending over $10k on a bike. I would LOVE an RnineT, but the prices on them are kinda disgusting.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Variance
06/10/2019 at 15:18

Prices this, that, and the Thruxton R are all disgusting. They’re all sweet sweet bikes though. More than 10 on a bike is a lot. But some bikes are worth it. I didn’t it on my Monster and don’t know of anything I would prefer at any price. 701 sumo is a very excitement dirt bike, but everyone who owns one says they’re worth it and have no regrets. But over 10, a bike better be perfect, especially since there are so many great bikes under 10 *xsr900 cough cough*

Variance > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 15:43

But over 10, a bike better be perfect, especially since there are so many great bikes under 10 *xsr900 cough cough*

Exactly, I think what I str uggle with is how the Japanese makers can put out amazing bikes year after year for so much less. I get that the European and American brands are generally lower volume, niche or “premium” brands, but I feel like the fundamental engineering isn’t enough to justify the prices they are demanding. Ducati’s still just using iterative improvements of the ages-old desmo v-twin, and BMW’s still using the boxer. Triumph just... I don’t even know with the Thruxton and Bonneville.

I mean, hell, Moto Guzzi’s bikes are cheaper than most of these, and I feel like they have the smallest consumer base of all of them.

Decay buys too many beaters > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 19:10

“Hey he took almost the exact same photo as me.... wait a minute”

I will say that I enjoyed the nice smooth ride home on my giant single.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Variance
06/10/2019 at 19:31

For me, Japanese bikes are amazing for ride and price and reliability and all that. But I think most of them are ugly and don't sound very good. Which is where the Europeans come in. And now Indian I suppose.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Decay buys too many beaters
06/10/2019 at 20:14

We enjoyed our ride home on the "same" "big" single!

Decay buys too many beaters > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/10/2019 at 20:20

You know what I was thinking on the ride home?

Why in the hell doesn’t KTM put that motor in a more street oriented dual sport. A 390 Enduro would sell really well. All their sub 690 street legal bikes are basically plated race bikes with super short maintenance and rebuild intervals.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Decay buys too many beaters
06/10/2019 at 23:13

Yeah I can’t figure it out either. Definitely had crossed my mind. Great little motor.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Variance
06/11/2019 at 09:32

It is a bit insane. One of the bikes I am most interested in, the Ducati Diavel 1260 S... 23 GRAND.

The bike is likely fantastic, more humane than any race replica, and sportier than any cruiser....

... but who besides someone reviewing a borrowed unit, who c an tell?

That is new car, or a nice late model used car money for a machine with fewer components and safety regulations to meet.