Indian FTR 1200 (2019-2020) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the Indian FTR 1200 (also just known as the FTR as of 2021), made from 2019-2020.
The FTR 1200 is an upright naked-style sports motorcycle that is named for having drawn inspiration from “flat track” racing-style motorcycles of the past — specifically Indian’s highly successful FTR750.
The FTR 1200 range is based on a 1203 cc liquid-cooled eight-valve V-twin engine that makes 91 kW (123 hp) at 8250 rpm, and peak torque of 120 Nm (89 ft-lb) at 5900 rpm. It puts power down via a chain drive.
The FTR comes in various trim levels. The primary difference between the base and the FTR 1200 S differentiator is the suspension improvement (full adjustability), which you can see visually in the form of gold forks. There’s also and the six-axis IMU with its associated niceties like switchable traction/wheelie/stability control. You’ll also notice the electronic display on the S model when you sit on it.
In 2021, the FTR 1200 range was replaced by the Indian FTR range, with some changed components, e.g. wheels.
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What you need to service your Indian FTR 1200
Servicing your Indian FTR 1200 may seem intimidating if it’s your first bike (not an uncommon occurrence!) but it’s not hard.
You should regularly change the oil and filter, and check and adjust the belt tension at a minimum.
| Part | Indian FTR 1200 spec |
|---|---|
| Engine Oil | Indian recommends “Indian Motorcycle Synthetic Blend 15W-60” engine oil. This is an oil that meets API SM and ILSAC GF-4, and JASO MA specifications and that’s 15W-60 in weight. |
| Oil filter | Change the oil filter every time you change the oil. An oil filter is included with the oil change kit, or you can separately get a Hiflofiltro part number HF198. |
| Chain lube | Make sure you keep your chain maintained — a Motul chain care kit is a popular option. |
| Coolant | Indian recommends a 50/50 anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) premix. Many fit the bill. Check Revzilla’s coolant selection. |
| Air filter | You need to change the air filter every 10,000 miles (16,000 km). The part number is 7082325. You can also use K&N air filter PL-1219. |
| Spark plugs | Change spark plugs periodically with an NGK MR7F with an 0.030 inch (0.80 mm) gap (you might need a spark plug gapping tool) |
| Battery | Dead battery? Replace it with a Yuasa YTX14H (the OEM battery). |
Maintenance Schedule for the Indian FTR 1200
This is the maintenance schedule for the Indian FTR 1200, reformatted to make it easier to read, with items in a more intuitive order (not just alphabetical… why would “Road Test” be anywhere but at the end, for example).
Many minor errors were also corrected. E.g. the treatment of the sidestand and control levers was a bit erratic, sometimes (with no clear pattern) saying to “Lubricate” and sometimes to “Inspect/Adjust/Lubricate”, when the two are very similar and it’s easier to say to always do the latter.
Below is as simple as I could get it. Essentially:
- Every 5 K mi / 8K km: Tighten everything up and check everything, clean lube things as needed
- Every 10K mi / 16K km: Change the oil, check/replace the plugs, and do a compression test. Change the brake fluid (either now or at 2 years, whichever earlier)
- Every 15K mi / 24K km: Change the air filter, the chain, and the fork oil.
- Every 20K mi / 32K km: Do a valve service
- Every 30K mi / 48K km: Change the spark plugs if you didn’t earlier.
- At 50K mi / 80K km: Change the coolant (if you didn’t at the 5 year mark), the rear shock, and re-torque the engine mount fasteners.
Note: The schedule doesn’t mention replacing the coolant, but it’s mentioned separately in the manual (every 5 years or 50 K mi / 80K km).
Record service and maintenance information in the maintenance log in your manual.
Notes:
- The maintenance schedule goes until 50K miles (80K km) as some items only need very infrequent service
- If you subject your motorcycle to “extreme use”, inspect and service it more frequently. This includes: 1. high-speed operation for extended periods, 2. low-speed operation for extended periods, 3. operation in dusty or otherwise adverse conditions, and 4. operation in cold weather (temperatures below freezing).
Maintenance schedule Overview
Here’s a PDF of the maintenance schedule that you can refer to.
Break-in (500 mile/800 km) service
Do everything in the regular 5000 mile (8000 km) service below, plus change the oil and filter.
Normally a dealer does the break-in service during the warranty period.
5000 mile (8000 km) regular service
Do all these items at every one of the below service intervals.
Most of it is inspecting, adjusting, cleaning, and lubricating — replacing only as necessary (e.g. if something is worn or a time period has elapsed).
Repeat at 10, 15, 20K mi (16, 24, 32K km) etc.
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Drive Chain | Inspect, Clean, Lubricate |
| Chain Sliders | Inspect, Replace as needed |
| Oil Lines / Oil System | Inspect, Clean, Adjust |
| Fuel System | Inspect, Clean |
| Air Filter | Inspect, Clean |
| Crankcase Ventilation System | Inspect, Tighten, Clean, and Adjust |
| Evaporative Emission Control System | Inspect, Clean |
| Exhaust System | Inspect, Tighten, and Adjust |
| Brake Pads | Inspect, Replace as needed |
| Front Brake Lever | Adjust, Lubricate |
| Rear Brake Pedal | Inspect and Adjust as necessary |
| Gear Shift Pedal | Inspect and Adjust as necessary |
| Clutch Lever | Inspect, Adjust, and Lubricate as necessary |
| Clutch Cable Freeplay | Inspect and Adjust as necessary |
| Control Cable Ends | Inspect, Lubricate if needed |
| Fasteners | Inspect, Tighten |
| Steering Bearings | Inspect |
| Front Forks and Front Axle | Inspect, Adjust |
| Suspension Linkage, Rear | Inspect |
| Swing Arm and Rear Axle | Inspect |
| Rear Shock Absorber | Inspect, Adjust |
| Rear Wheel Alignment | Inspect, Adjust |
| Tires / Wheels | Inspect tread depth, sidewall cracking, wear patterns |
| Sidestand | Inspect, Adjust, Lubricate |
| Battery | Check terminals, clean, test voltage. |
| Brake Fluid | Replace every 2 years (or distance interval below) |
| Front Fork Oil | Replace every 2 years (or distance interval below) |
| Engine coolant | Replace every 5 years (or distance interval below) |
| Road Test | Perform |
10000 mile (16000 km) service
Do all the above plus the below items.
Repeat this service at 20, 30, 40K mi (16, 32, 48K km) etc.
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Engine Oil & Filter | Replace. Inspect used oil for contaminants |
| Spark Plugs | Inspect, Replace as needed |
| Engine Compression | Inspect, correct as necessary |
| Brake Fluid | Replace (if you didn’t at the 2 year mark) |
| Clutch Lever | Lubricate |
| Control Cable Ends | Lubricate |
| Sidestand | Lubricate |
| Head Light | Inspect/Adjust |
15000 mile (24000 km) service
Do all the above plus the below items.
Repeat at 30, 45, 60K mi (24, 48, 72K km) etc.
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Chain | Replace |
| Air filter | Replace |
| Front fork oil | Replace (unless replaced at 2 year interval recently) |
20000 mile (32000 km) service (Valves inspection)
Do all the above as needed (depending if it’s 40 or 60) plus do a valve lash clearance inspection/check.
Repeat at 20, 40, 60K mi (32, 64, 96K km) etc.
30000 mile (48000 km) service
Do all the above as necessary plus replace the spark plugs if not replaced earlier (e.g. at valve inspection when they were removed).
Repeat at 60, 90K mi (96, 144K km) etc.
50000 mile (80000 km) service
Do all the above as necessary plus:
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Engine Mount Fasteners | Inspect and re-torque as needed |
| Rear Shock Absorber | Replace |
| Engine coolant | Replace (an ethylene glycol pre-mix) |
Repeat at 100K mi (160K km) and beyond.
Tyre sizes and pressures
The Indian FTR 1200 ships with the following tyre sizes and recommended pressures.
The standard tyre is a Dunlop DT3-R.
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70R19 60V | 36 psi (248 kPa) |
| Rear | 150/70R18 70H | 40 psi (276XX kPa) |
Of course, recommended tyre pressures are often to minimise tyre wear and associated expense, so find the ideal pressure for your weight and ride style.
From 2021 onward, the Indian FTR (replacing the Indian FTR 1200) ships with 17 inch tyres front and rear, more committing to the “road/sports bike” demo.
About the Indian FTR 1200
The Indian FTR 1200 is a standard road/sport bike from FTR.
Like “Scramblers” of modern times, the FTR 1200 is inspired by flat track racers — but it’s not really an off-road bike. It has some hints that it might be (e.g. large wheels, and a general design aesthetic), but it doesn’t have any off-road protection, and is pretty heavy (for something that might be dropped).
In standard trim, the Indian FTR 1200 is a fairly bare-bones motorcycle. It’s a naked V-twin powered street sports bike, powered by a 1203cc 8-valve DOHC V-twin engine that makes a peak of 90 kW (120 hp) at 7750 rpm, and peak torque of 64 Nm (87 ft-lb) at 6000 rpm.
The FTR 1200 is a huge departure for Indian from what it used to do — air-cooled cruisers and tourers with belt drives. Basically, Indian is another brand that for many years was much like (and competed with) Harley-Davidson, but bikes like the FTR 1200 (and others) show a departure from that.
Even though the FTR 1200 has a V-twin, much like other Indian motorcycles, the FTR 1200 has a liquid-cooled engine. It has all the modern design elements we’re used to seeing in motors, like twin overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. (The Indian Scout‘s engine is another modern liquid-cooled one we’ve seen.)
These design elements mean that it’s easier for the FTR 1200 to make power, as it revs higher. The engine is also quieter (because liquid cooling often helps prevent engine noise), without losing any V-twin character.
The FTR range puts power down via a traditional chain drive (not traditional for Indian, who prefer belt drives).
The base model FTR gets ABS and cruise control, but the S model and Carbon models get some extra bits.
The Indian FTR 1200 comes in a number of trims:
- Indian FTR 1200 (base model): Non-adjustable suspension, with a 43mm inverted fork. LCD inset speedometer. Has standard ABS and cruise control.
- FTR 1200 S: Fully adjustable front and rear suspension, and a six-axis IMU that gives it cornering ABS/TC. The rear shock has an external reservoir. LED dash, which can be a bit startling on a retro-inspired bike. Two-tone paint designs.
- FTR 1200 Carbon: As the S, plus an Akrapovič exhaust and tune, and some different trim elements.
From 2022, the FTR 1200 and most other members of the line-up have been updated with standard 17-inch wheels and a sportier engine tune, and were just renamed the FTR (and FTR S, etc.).
Manual for the Indian FTR 1200
The above maintenance schedule was adapted from the manual for the Indian FTR 1200 (2019).
The FTR 1200’s maintenance schedule is presented in to-do lists at every interval, but it’s hard to get a bird’s eye view, and there are errors in the original manual due to repetition.
You can get the original manual from Indian’s website, here.
