Honda FTR 223 Street Flat Tracker

Make Model	Honda FTR 223 Street Flat Tracker
Year	2002 - 15
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC,
Capacity	223 cc / 13.6 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	65.5 × 66.2 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Induction	VE3DA
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Power	19 hp / 14.2 @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque	21 Nm / 15.5 ft. lbs @ 6000 rpm
Clutch	Wet multiple plate coil springs
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Swinging arm
Front Brakes	Single disc
Rear Brakes	Drum
Front Tyre	120/90-18
Rear Tyre	120/90-18
Wheelbase	1395 mm / 54.9 in
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight	119 kg / 262.4 lbs
Fuel Capacity	7.2 Litres / 1.9 US gal

The very first story of the “FTR223” is much complicated. It was in the 1980s when HONDA had first announced its participation in the USA flat track race (dirt track race). Freddie Spencer, the WPG champion, used to be a dirt track rider in the past, and even had an experience riding a HONDA motorcycle then. FT400 and FT500 made its debut in 1982 taking in this flat track style. However, they experienced a sluggish sales.
Have its root in “FTR250” which can be also be used for race

“FTR250” was a motorcycle brought to the market in 1986 to become a full-fledged flat track model. It became the motif of the FTR. HONDA, which won the manufacturer and the rider championship in 1984 and 1985 at the AMA Flat Track, had devoted its technology to develop this motorcycle. It had a XLR type air-cooled RFVC 4-valve engine. It was indeed such a full-scale engine that could be used for flat track races too. It also had an excellent response characteristics.

Yet, the Japanese market was in the midst of the racer replica boom then. The sales hovered at a low level, for the flat track itself was not familiar among Japanese people. It had to end its production in 1989. It was in the late 1990s when the street custom motorcycles stirred a new boom. The price of the secondhand FTR250 jumped up and Yamaha TW200 became a great hit. FTR was a motorcycle developed and sold to compete against the TW200.

FTR took after the flat track race (dirt track race) motorcycles, and inherited the style of the FTR250. It was a street single motorcycle with a light and compact body. It mounted a 2-valve engine based on the air-cooled single cylinder engine of the SL230.

The engine focused on the full-load torque at regular use range under 5,000rpm, and its set its maximum output rather low, 19ps. It was tuned to become a easy-to-handle motorcycle.
The vehicle body didn’t take over the style of the FTR250, and it use a different frame that suited the FTR223 engine.

Its slim body that was maneuverable on both streets or dirt tracks attracted the fans. FTR became popular as an “easygoing and definitely active street tracker.”
Especially, the tricolor version of the HONDA works team became popular.