If you’re an Indian Motorcycles fan, you’d know the American bikemaker has a loving relationship with custom builds. It often ties up with popular custom shops to whip up head-turning projects (like this sporty Indian Chief inspired by 1970 race bikes) and the latest reveal is no different. Called the FTR Loeb, the custom FTR 1200 marks an alliance between Indian, French bike shop Tank Machine, and nine-time World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb. Only two examples will be made - one for the WRC legend and another for a lucky winner. More on that in a bit.
Custom Indian FTR Loeb By Tank Machine
One look at the custom motorcycle, and it’s quite different from the stock Indian. Credit here goes to the all-new bodywork, most of which is carved out of forged carbon fiber. Up top, the OEM round light has made way for a sporty square mask, flanked by beefy fork covers. Similarly, the latter end has a sleek seat cowl that joins the custom saddle complete with contrast red stitching. A closer look also reveals the sly LED indicators sat just below the cowl.
Topping all this is a blue livery, complete with an exposed carbon fiber finish on each body panel. You also get red accents on the wheels, engine nuts, front calipers, and even inside the radiator shrouds for added sportiness, partnered by ‘Loeb’ and Tank Machine graphics. Meanwhile, the custom bar-end mirrors and a solid disc wheel outback round off the build.
Yes, that’s it, and no, there aren’t any mechanical changes. So the FTR Loeb features Indian’s liquid-cooled 1,203cc, V-twin engine that belts out 120 horsepower and 87 pound-feet. These ponies reach the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch. Since this is plenty of grunt, the FTR comes equipped with electronic rider aids - traction control, ride modes (Rain, Standard, Sport), traction control, wheelie control, rear wheel lift mitigation- all accessible via a 4-inch TFT touchscreen. Creature comforts like cruise control and smartphone connectivity further enhance the package.
In the meantime, the motorcycle rides on 43 mm inverted forks and a monoshock, both adjustable and sourced from ZF Sachs. These offer 120 mm of travel and pair up with 17-inch wheels which are slowed down by Brembo brakes. All this together tips the scale at 522 pounds, ready to go.
How Can You Get The FTR Loeb?
Circling back to the intro, the only way to take this home is via a lucky draw. Just fill up the FTR Loeb form, visit your nearest Indian dealer, take a test ride, and then wait for May 15, 2023, for the winner announcement. If you win, you’d be the second person in the world with this trick FTR, of course, after Sebastian Loeb himself. The sad part, however, is the lucky draw only applies to Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, but not Indian’s home-turf, America. To make matters worse for Americans, the winner will also receive a VIP trip to the Wheels & Waves festival where Tank Machine and Loeb will present him/her the FTR.