Syco13x
New member
Worst thing I have ever done is take a demo ride on a 2022 FTR S. Now all I do is dream about the day I can buy one! LOL!
I currently ride a Triumph T120 Black, and have always enjoyed it and loved it. It's still a great bike, but some of my dealings with Triumph over the years have left me less than impressed with the company. But for my laid back simple commute to work, the T120 is fantastic and fun. I can ride it for years to come still if I have to do so
But, I have been test riding many different bikes this year to see what I like, because I'm ready to trade in and get something different now. I thought I had fallen in love with a BMW R NineT, it took riding to a new level, but still allowed for a laid back cruise if desired. I have also considered various Harley Davidson models quite a bit, for the simple fact that I would always have a shop nearby to service it if needed. But until recently, their bikes have felt like too much of a step back to make me want to trade in my more advanced ride. Haha! But I do love the look of a Fat Bob, and the Pan America intrigues me as well.
Then, on July 9th 2021, all of those rides, and all of that research went out the window. I had been lusting after the FTR already based on the looks, and the fact that it isn't really a bike that fits into most categories as easily as some other bikes do. All the reviews and moto vloggers seemed to have good things to report on it. But I hadn't gotten a chance to ride one myself to see what it was all about. I had a test ride scheduled a month more so before the demo event, but a random rainy day cancelled that. After riding a Scout Bobber while waiting my turn on the FTR (the FTR had the longest wait list of all the bikes, even though this event was designed to show off the Chief more than anything else), I finally got my turn to hop on he FTR S!
Upon just sitting on the bike, I felt at home. I didn't even have to think about how I was reaching for controls, or foot pegs, or how my foot slipped so naturally under the shift lever. I became one with the bike as soon as I sat on it. And once I started it up and took off, it just felt even more like it was part of me. No longer was I a rider, I WAS the motorcycle. Having to park the bike and let the next person test it out was a miserable feeling. I wanted so badly to just keep going and let them chase me down to force me to give that bike back! The wife and kiddos probably wouldn't have liked having to bail me out of jail if I did that, but what a story it would be! Haha!
So, here I am one month later writing this. Words cannot even describe how long this month has been! I really feel like it has been twice as long since that demo ride. Unfortunately, I have to work on getting the financials where I need them to be able to buy my own FTR S (or maybe the Carbon), too many major events have happened this last year or so... but it's going to be such a long wait! So, now I enter all the cash prize contests I can find in hopes to have a run of good luck. LOL!
The lesson I take away from all of this, and which is probably pretty common sense... don't test ride a bike until you are ready to purchase! Because the dreaming and hoping and working to get where you need to be for a purchase is miserable in the meantime! LOL! In all fairness, I didn't realize how much I would love the FTR. I really thought I was going to either save up for the BMW, or wait until I could buy a Harley. So thank you Indian for turning the tide and reminding me what I love so much about riding. I swear, I don't remember being involved when Indian designed a bike perfectly just for me, but they sure seem to have done just that!
One day FTR, we will be together again.
I currently ride a Triumph T120 Black, and have always enjoyed it and loved it. It's still a great bike, but some of my dealings with Triumph over the years have left me less than impressed with the company. But for my laid back simple commute to work, the T120 is fantastic and fun. I can ride it for years to come still if I have to do so
But, I have been test riding many different bikes this year to see what I like, because I'm ready to trade in and get something different now. I thought I had fallen in love with a BMW R NineT, it took riding to a new level, but still allowed for a laid back cruise if desired. I have also considered various Harley Davidson models quite a bit, for the simple fact that I would always have a shop nearby to service it if needed. But until recently, their bikes have felt like too much of a step back to make me want to trade in my more advanced ride. Haha! But I do love the look of a Fat Bob, and the Pan America intrigues me as well.
Then, on July 9th 2021, all of those rides, and all of that research went out the window. I had been lusting after the FTR already based on the looks, and the fact that it isn't really a bike that fits into most categories as easily as some other bikes do. All the reviews and moto vloggers seemed to have good things to report on it. But I hadn't gotten a chance to ride one myself to see what it was all about. I had a test ride scheduled a month more so before the demo event, but a random rainy day cancelled that. After riding a Scout Bobber while waiting my turn on the FTR (the FTR had the longest wait list of all the bikes, even though this event was designed to show off the Chief more than anything else), I finally got my turn to hop on he FTR S!
Upon just sitting on the bike, I felt at home. I didn't even have to think about how I was reaching for controls, or foot pegs, or how my foot slipped so naturally under the shift lever. I became one with the bike as soon as I sat on it. And once I started it up and took off, it just felt even more like it was part of me. No longer was I a rider, I WAS the motorcycle. Having to park the bike and let the next person test it out was a miserable feeling. I wanted so badly to just keep going and let them chase me down to force me to give that bike back! The wife and kiddos probably wouldn't have liked having to bail me out of jail if I did that, but what a story it would be! Haha!
So, here I am one month later writing this. Words cannot even describe how long this month has been! I really feel like it has been twice as long since that demo ride. Unfortunately, I have to work on getting the financials where I need them to be able to buy my own FTR S (or maybe the Carbon), too many major events have happened this last year or so... but it's going to be such a long wait! So, now I enter all the cash prize contests I can find in hopes to have a run of good luck. LOL!
The lesson I take away from all of this, and which is probably pretty common sense... don't test ride a bike until you are ready to purchase! Because the dreaming and hoping and working to get where you need to be for a purchase is miserable in the meantime! LOL! In all fairness, I didn't realize how much I would love the FTR. I really thought I was going to either save up for the BMW, or wait until I could buy a Harley. So thank you Indian for turning the tide and reminding me what I love so much about riding. I swear, I don't remember being involved when Indian designed a bike perfectly just for me, but they sure seem to have done just that!
One day FTR, we will be together again.
