KIWI RIDER 06 2019 VOL.2 | Page 86

FIRST FTR1200 RACERS UNLEASHED ith the new Indian FTR1200 being designed to evoke the style and performance of the flat track racers campaigned by the company in the USA, it was only a matter of time before someone actually made a proper race machine out of one – read about the new bike in this issue by clicking on the link. In fact, not one, but two bikes have been created by S&S Cycle to do battle in the Hooligan class of dirt track racing. With American Flat Track Racing being quite the factory affair, Hooligan racing is the grubbier, more grassroots arm of the sport. Designed to be raced in the European 86 KIWI RIDER Hooligan Championship series which hit the infamous Wheels and Waves festival this month, S&S Cycle has played an integral part in the development and success of the FTR750 race programme and applied that level of race winning perfection to the recently launched FTR1200. Beyond the more visible changes such as the number plate, removal of the front brakes and the S&S 2-into-2 exhaust system, modifications have been made to the riding position, clearance, suspension and handling with special race parts designed, or selected by S&S Cycle. Headline figures are a weight reduction of over 25kg, and a wheelbase shortened from 157cm to 148cm.