feels like peak power arriving near maximum revs . It is an excellent engine with great torque that ’ s easy to manage and get the best from . There is no denying the wonderful V-twin pulse when riding the FTR , it ’ s a joyous thing ! The S model comes standard with an Akrapovic exhaust and , while the excess noise is well muted , a lovely civilised burble is your riding soundtrack . The combined engine thrust , pulse and burble definitely create an engaged happy state of being and gave me lots of reason to ride .
BETTER FOR THE ROAD The chassis is a steel tube trellis design , in fact even the swingarm is tubular . There ’ s no question that the new wheels , tyres and chassis deliver for the keen Tarmac rider . If you are a track day rider the improvement should be immediate and have you dropping lap times readily , even though the FTR is not a sports bike . The turn-in is sharper than before , and the general agility is much improved . Grip levels are also well enhanced thanks to the Metzeler
Sportec rubber . Sizes are 120 / 70-17 front and 180 / 55-17 rear . The suspension holds up well and is nicely controlled for spirited riding ... as long as the surface is in good condition . On our poorer roads ( more often than not now-a-days it seems ) the reduction of suspension travel and the sharper steering is not always an asset . While handling and suspension is still pretty good , bigger bumps do find the suspension travel ’ s limits and the general feel is not as composed as the previous FTR model sporting the larger wheels . Both front and rear the suspension is fully adjustable . Up front the Sachs forks are 43mm USD items . The rear Sachs shock is mounted almost horizontally and fixed to the swingarm , there is no raising rate linkage . There is 120mm of travel each end and the shock has very little shaft travel . This , to my mind , is not the
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