Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”In 2019, Indian Motorcycle launched the FTR 1200. Though the FTR (“Flat Track Racer”) was inspired by Indian’s championship-winning 750cc flat trackers, it was more of a naked muscle bike packing plenty of bite, designed to rival machines like the Ducati Monster, Triumph Speed Triple, and BMW R nineT.
“The civilian FTR bikes were hooligan tempters powered by a 1,203cc liquid-cooled 4-valve motor making over 110 horsepower and decked out with modern tech including ride modes, fancy materials and adjustable premium suspension.” –Forbes
One of the lesser known variations is the FTR Rally — a slightly more dirt-oriented factory scrambler with 19/18″ wire-spoke wheels, knobbier dual-sport tires, and a stripped-down electronics suite with analog speedometer.
FTR 1200 Rally
Our new friend Greg Loaec of Trail Découverte Concept (“Discovery Trail Concept”) is a motorcycle trail guide who began customizing trail bikes for his own professional use. His Suzuki V-Strom rally builds garnered a good deal of attention and acclaim, and soon Indian Motorcycle France took notice. Back in 2023, they invited Greg to build an FTR 1200 trail bike for the 2023 Wheels and Waves Festival.
Greg enjoyed his “FTR 1200 Trail” build so much he decided to build himself a supermoto version for his own personal use, using a 2023 FTR 1200 Rally as his donor. One of the defining traits of any supermotard is a set of smaller-diameter 17-inch wheels for enhanced agility and better tire choice, and this is a particularly suitable swap for the FTR. Actually, the 18/19-inch wheels were a main criticism of the original bike.
“Indian’s decision to go with flattrack-sized wheels with an 18-inch rear and 19-inch front, matched to flattrack semi-knobbly Dunlop tyres, made the FTR a bit disconcerting to ride. Not only was it wobbly on occasions, the sheer grunt of the twin easily overwhelmed the grip levels offered by the (it has to be said) fashion-led rather than performance-focused tyres.” –MCN
In fact, while the Rally model retains those original wheel sizes, Indian themselves have since switched to 17-inch mag wheels for their street-oriented FTR models. Greg swapped in a pair of 17-inch wire-spoke supermoto wheels and wrapped them in super sticky Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa Rosso IV rubber…a serious upgrade in the corner-carving department.
What’s more, he gave the bike a slightly higher center of gravity with a custom Andreani fork cartridge kit and custom EMC rear shock set up by Greg Gasc Suspensions (GGS) — both longer than the originals. The impact on the ride is game-changing.
“The chassis is sharper and more agile, allowing you to exploit the engine’s torque and power even more.”
But Greg also wanted to give his FTR the look of a big supermoto. So he designed the motard-style front and rear fairings and had them produced in carbon, and the bike is also running carbon fork guards and a carbon front fender…all of the bodywork sprayed in attention-grabbing orange glitter paint.
Other custom highlights include the high-mount Akrapovič exhaust, custom bars and Gilles Tooling adjustable rearsets, radiator grilles, a lengthened side stand to compensate for the increased ride height, and more.
The effect is that of an overgrown V-twin supermotard — the perfect pavement weapon for a man who spends much of his time on off-road rally bikes. Well done, Greg — we look forward to featuring more of your Trail Découverte Concepts in the future.
Below you’ll find our full interview with Greg and a complete build sheet. Photography credits go to Indiana Anders (@indiana_anders). Enjoy!
Indian FTR Supermoto: Builder Interview
• Tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorbikes and your workshop.
I’m a motorbike trail guide. I started by preparing trail bikes for my professional use. I presented my preparations on my Instagram page Trail Découverte Concept. I prepared several Suzuki bikes before Indian France offered me a project based on the FTR 1200. I was to build an FTR Trail for the Wheels and Waves France 2023 show.
• What is the make, model and year of the donor bike?
It’s a 2023 Indian FTR 1200 Rally.
• Why was this bike built?
After building a trail version of the FTR 1200 at the request of Indian France, I wanted to make a supermoto version for a personal project.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the construction?
I wanted to modify the FTR into a Supermoto version with the codes of this category (prominent front flanks and rear section similar to enduro bikes, raised suspension, 17″ rims).
• What work has been done on the bike?
Pair of 17″ supermotard rims
Creation of bespoke front and rear fairings and carbon versions
Carbon front mudguard
Carbon fork protector
Orange glitter paintwork
Customised Andreani cartridge kit (longer forks)
Custom EMC rear shock (longer than original)
Pro Taper handlebars
SW-Motech lever guards with integrated indicators
Indian FTR Sport headlight plate
Indian sport shoe
High position Akra exhaust
Plate, brake light and rear indicator bracket
Water and oil radiator grilles
Gilles Tooling performance foot plates
Seat modifications
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa Rosso IV 120/70 17 and 180/55/17 tyres
Custom side stand
A few hours’ work to adapt all the parts….
• Does the bike have a nickname?
FTR 1200 Supermoto.
• Do you have any idea of the power, weight and/or performance?
Identical to the original. Power 120 bhp at 8,250 rpm Torque 115 Nm (85 lb-ft) at 6,000 rpm.
• Can you tell us what it feels like to ride this bike?
The chassis is sharper and more agile, allowing you to exploit the engine’s torque and power even more.
• Is there anything you did during the build that you’re particularly proud of?
Yes, I’m very proud of the creation of the unique fairings (front and rear), which were then made in carbon.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Yes Indian Motorcycle France, Greg Gasc Suspensions (GGS) for the suspensions, French Carbone for making the carbon parts.
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @traildecouverteconcept
Web: www.rando-moto-trail-decouverte.com
Facebook: Trail Découverte (Greg Loaec)
Photography / Video: Indiana Anders (@indiana_anders)”}]]
