Indian FTR 1200 S (2019-2020) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the Indian FTR 1200 S, made from 2019-2020.
The FTR 1200 S 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 S and Carbon are 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 — this is no standard Indian cruiser!
The S version is higher spec than the base model FTR 1200. The key improvements are fully adjustable front and rear suspension and a six-axis IMU that brings with it switchable traction control, wheelie control, and stability control. The FTR 1200 S also gets a TFT display, replacing the round dial-style display of the base model.
The Indian FTR 1200 R Carbon’s differences are more minor — they have a performance exhaust and some carbon fiber trim elements.
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What you need to service your Indian FTR 1200 S
Servicing your Indian FTR 1200 S may seem intimidating if it’s your first bike, though it’d be quite an awesome first bike and I can imagine you’d want to take care of it.
You should regularly change the oil and filter, and check and adjust the belt tension at a minimum.
| Part | Indian FTR 1200 S 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 50/50 coolant (ethylene glycol) mix. There are many coolants that fit the bill. Check out Revzilla’s coolants page for some options. |
| 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 S
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).
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 we 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).
Overview of maintenance for the Indian FTR 1200 S
Below there’s a PDF you can download for maintenance of the Indian FTR 1200 S. It’s equally valid for the R Carbon.
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.
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 (Valve 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 (Revzilla coolants) |
Repeat at 100K mi (160K km) and beyond.
Tyre sizes and pressures
The Indian FTR 1200 S ships with the following tyre sizes and recommended pressures.
| 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 ships with 17 inch tyres front and rear, more committing to the “road/sports bike” demo.
About the Indian FTR 1200 S
The Indian FTR 1200 S is a standard road/sport bike from Indian. The S model is the up-rated model of the Indian FTR 1200, but the bikes are conceptually the same machine — same engine, chassis, and many components.
Like “Scramblers” of modern times, the FTR 1200 and FTR 1200 S are inspired by flat track racers — but it’s not really an off-road bike, unlike actual flat track racers. 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).
And suffice it to say that the FTR 1200 S is a premium bike (for many people) which many would be loath to drop on a dusty track. Which isn’t to say that you can’t, of course!
The FTR 1200 S is a huge departure for Indian from what it used to do. Indian, like the “other” American cruiser brand, is mostly known for air-cooled cruisers with belt drives. They’re the underdog brand in the US, but they have just as long a history, and produce high-quality motorcycles. Fans of Indian machines consider them to be somewhat of a secret — reliable, good bikes, and very different in character to those produced by Harley-Davidson.
Nonetheless, the FTR 1200 S is quite a different bike for Indian. This is a performance standard bike! Even though it has an upright riding position, its liquid-cooled engine, considerable power (90 kW / 120 hp), and high-level riding components mean that this is every bit a street sport bike — competing with sport standards, like the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, for example.
The Indian FTR 1200 S has a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 60-degree V-twin 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.) And the FTR range puts power down via a traditional chain drive (not traditional for Indian).
The 1200 S has the same core power specs as the base model 1200. The 1203cc engine makes a peak of 90 kW (120 hp) at 8250 rpm, with peak torque of 118 Nm (87 ft-lb) at 6000 rpm. With peak weight of 235 kg (518 lb) it’s no lightweight sport bike, but the upright riding position and fat torque curve makes for a raucous ride.
The Indian FTR 1200 S has the following enhancements over the base model.
| Part | FTR 1200 (base) | FTR 1200 S |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension | Sachs, non-adjustable cartridge | Sachs, fully adjustable cartridge |
| Rear suspension | Sachs, preload and rebound damping adjustable | Sachs, fully adjustable, external reservoir |
| Rider aids | ABS (non-switchable). | 6-axis IMU — cornering ABS and TFT. ABS is switchable. |
| Instrument cluster | Analogue dial / LCD inset | LED |
| Design features | Black only | Two-tone paint |
Both the base and S models have Brembo M4.32 calipers on the front twin 320mm discs, almost standard features on high-end standard bikes.
From 2021, the Indian replaced the FTR 1200 line with simply the FTR line (the FTR 1200 S became the FTR S). They also changed the wheels to 17-inch wheels and gave the engine a sportier tune.
Manual for the Indian FTR 1200 S
The above maintenance schedule was adapted from the manual for the Indian FTR 1200 S (2019-2020).
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.
