First half of road test done. 1600 miles.

[Pmcb41]

I just completed 1600 miles in 4 days, 24 hrs of saddle time. 2019 FTR 1200s, Saddleman seat, de-cat, fuel moto tune. Indian rack, Rowland Sands pegs & levers, grips, Rizoma mirrors. Motoskivies. Indian tank bag, 50l SW-Mototech tail bag. Stock tires.
I’m 60, experienced, with bad knees and joint pain.
Spearfish SD to Glendale CA, over the Rockies, Moab, Brice Canyon, Zion, Hover Dam, Nevada desert, Arizona desert, California Desert. Lane splitting for 20 miles on Clogged California highways. The bike did well. 0-109, 43-108 degrees. Ran great. Tail bag, the best piece of equipment I have ever purchased. Holds a lot and you don’t even know it’s there. Seat not designed for touring. To say it nicely, tried several padding ideas, I think a sheep skin over gel will do the trick. But I am old it was hot and even my son on a touring bike was sore as well.
the best part is having the coolest bike on the road and in the parking lots.
I will try to fix seat issue before heading home in three days, but will be riding here in LA for the next couple. Here are a few pictures, some posted in “Where did you ride today” posts.

 

[edgelett]

That's one hell of a trip!

 

[Mlazarus]

How long are you in Los Angeles?

 

[Pmcb41]

Leaving Friday morning, probably very early because it is supposed to be in the 100’s in the desert. I am visiting one of my son’s in Glendale.

 

[Murdock]

I use also the grab handle and a similar bag from SW-Motech (Racepack eco). Can absolutely confirm it's a good combination .
24hours saddle time means no sleep over 4 days? Respect Sir, but take care of your concentration and stay safe.

 

[Pmcb41]

24 hours over 4 days. Sorry for confusion, longest day in saddle over 7hr riding time. About 7hrs first day, then a little over 5 each of the middle two days.

 

[K9F]

Agree 100% about the seat. If you can lay your hands on an Airhawk Dual Sport that would solve your issue. I did 13 hours in the saddle and 570 miles in a day on the FTR striking for home. Bang for buck the Airhawk was the best money I have spent on any modification ever. Finally relented and bought a Corbin in the end.

 

[Pmcb41]

Today was supposed to be a day off. We only did a little over 200 miles. Mostly highway “lane splitting”. Yes we did, only when there was traffic jams and at speeds under 30mph. (Which is all the time on California highways). Also did some small canyon runs and a sunset ride through the mountains around Hollywood. Bike handling great, getting popping when backing off the throttle at certain temperatures? I noticed that I have a tendency to run at lower rpm’s than many of the bikes around me, 2800-4000. I’m not pushing a things at my age but is that where others are riding on your FTR’s?

 

[Max Kool]

I noticed that I have a tendency to run at lower rpm’s than many of the bikes around me, 2800-4000. I’m not pushing a things at my age but is that where others are riding on your FTR’s?

The FTR does perfectly fine at any rpm over ~2500. The torque-rpm range is incredibly wide.

 

[EllenGtrGrl]

The FTR does perfectly fine at any rpm over ~2500. The torque-rpm range is incredibly wide.

Yep, and it especially pulls like a freight train when you hit 4500 rpm.

 

[Pmcb41]

Made it home tonight. 3700 miles. Two days of city riding in LA but outside that averaged 450+ miles per day over 8 days of hard riding.

The only real changes that I will be making to the bike is an improved ECU flash, gel/Sheep skin seat pad for hot long days, integrate maps into display, and forward mount foot-pegs to stretch out on long runs.

 

[Max Kool]

integrate maps into display,

We all want that, but impossible without hacking the dash’ computer.

 

[Timps27]

I don’t get it, without maps it’s an overpriced cluster, way too expensive of component for what it’s doing. I have to think Polaris is eventually planning to add maps as it expands the unit into other parts of the lineup, otherwise why put the expense into the bike?

 

[American]

Awesome! Great to see an FTR owner out enjoying the bike, weather and amazing scenery!

 

[Max Kool]

I don’t get it, without maps it’s an overpriced cluster, way too expensive of component for what it’s doing. I have to think Polaris is eventually planning to add maps as it expands the unit into other parts of the lineup, otherwise why put the expense into the bike?

It’s still a great tft dash imho, but we’ve been waiting for a map/navigation function for two years. Don’t count on it ever coming.

 

[MrEd]

Been using the scenic app, get a voice to remind me where my turns are. Keep my phone in a pocket or bag, haven’t needed to plug in or see a screen. Just the app and sena. I’ve used garmins for years, decided to try to go more simple and direct