If you've been following Biker Torque for a while, you'll know we have a genuine soft spot for FTN Motion and their brilliantly quirky Streetdog. When we reviewed the Streetdog 80, we loved the character, the head-turning looks, and the sheer fun of riding something that felt genuinely different. But we didn't hold back on what needed work either. The suspension was the big one. The switchgear was another.
Turns out, FTN Motion were paying attention.
We got our hands on a pre-production Streetdog XR, one of the first in Australia and spent some proper time with it on Sydney's roads. Here's the honest verdict.
The Suspension Story: From Criticism to Compliment
Let me be direct about this. The suspension on the Streetdog 80 was our single biggest criticism. Sydney's roads are, to put it diplomatically, creative. On the 80, you felt every single one of those creative moments. Bottoming out over potholes wasn't a rare event, it was a regular occurrence.
The XR changes that completely.
FTN Motion didn't just swap in better components off the shelf. They went directly to their suspension manufacturer and developed custom-tuned nitrogen gas rear shocks specifically for this bike. Longer travel front and rear, increased ground clearance, and a ride that now feels composed rather than compromised.
The difference is massive. And I mean that genuinely, not in the way that reviewers say "massive" when they mean "noticeable." On the same roads that had the 80 skipping around underneath me, the XR just gets on with it. It's the single biggest improvement on this bike and it's a very good one.
The Riding Position: Small Change, Big Impact
The other thing you notice immediately is the new handlebar setup. Higher, wider bars completely transform how the XR feels to ride. It's more upright, more commanding, and far more comfortable for any kind of extended time in the saddle. The steering is still beautifully light, filtering through Sydney traffic on this thing remains one of the easiest, most enjoyable experiences in urban motorcycling, but now you're doing it from a position that doesn't leave your wrists complaining after 40 minutes.
Those bars are nearly beach bar width and they are absolutely perfect. I cannot overstate how much they improve the overall experience.
The Switchgear: Properly Fixed
We flagged the indicator switch on the Streetdog 80 as genuinely fiddly. Tiny, awkward with gloves on, and the kind of thing that makes you question a purchase when you're stuck at the lights trying to cancel an indicator.
The XR addresses it. The switch has been repositioned below the handlebar in a more ergonomic location, it's been thickened up so it's actually findable with gloves on, and the plastic housings have been replaced with full die-cast alloy. It feels rock solid by comparison. The improvement is real and meaningful, and the overall switchgear quality now feels like it belongs on a bike at this price point.
The Power Delivery: Smooth and Deceptively Quick
The powertrain carries over from the Streetdog 80, and that's not a criticism. The LG lithium-ion battery has proven itself in the field, FTN are yet to see a single unit returned with meaningful capacity degradation after three years of service and the hub motor delivers power in a way that's smooth, progressive, and genuinely fun.
It's not the instant wall-of-torque that some electrics hit you with. The power builds quickly rather than immediately, and then about three seconds after you've wrapped on the throttle, you realise you're well over the speed limit and grinning about it. Top speed sits around 85km/h, which is exactly right for what this bike is.
The 30L storage compartment remains, which means you can still carry a second battery for extended range if you need it. Single battery gives you around 80km of real-world range, dual battery takes that out to 140km. For a city commuter, the single battery is more than enough for a day's riding.
The Scrambler: Taking It Further
We also spent time on the Scrambler variant, Desert Camel finish, off-road tyres, and a setup that leans into the XR's adventure-adjacent character.
I took it down a fire trail near my place. It was rocky. I did not enjoy it. The suspension handled it and the Kenda tyres gave me a false sense of confidence that I probably shouldn't have had. But here's the thing: that's not what this bike is for, and I knew that going in.
What the Scrambler does brilliantly is urban versatility. S Gravel car park? No drama. Coastal access road? Absolutely. It's a modern interpretation of the scrambler concept, the same way the Ducati Scrambler isn't really a dirt bike, this isn't either. But it opens up a world of urban exploration that the Street version doesn't quite invite in the same way.
The Details That Matter
A few other things worth calling out:
The mirrors are genuinely excellent. Large enough to actually work, adjustable, and with a one-hand flip-up function for filtering that you'll use constantly. Anyone who's ever suffered through tiny circular cafe racer mirrors that show you nothing but your own elbows will appreciate these immediately.
The display looks great and the keyless fob start is a nice touch. The little dog sitting icon on the stand indicator is exactly the kind of detail that tells you the people building this bike actually care about it.
The weight still around 88kg, remains one of the XR's secret weapons. You can pick this thing up and move it if you need to. In a world of increasingly heavy motorcycles, that lightness is genuinely liberating.
The storage is brilliant for a commuter, though the narrowness of the compartment does limit what shapes you can fit in there. A wider opening at the top would make it even more practical. But I rode to the fish market, loaded up with fresh seafood for dinner, and got home without issue, so it's hard to complain too loudly.
The side stand is still positioned further back than feels intuitive. You'll get used to it, but it's the one ergonomic detail that still needs a small refinement.
What It Costs and Why That Matters
Here's where FTN Motion have done something genuinely smart. The XR launches at $9,990 ride-away, an introductory price that Luke from FTN is clear won't last forever. Add a second battery for $1,500 (that's $1,000 off the standard price) and you've got dual-battery 140km range capability for $11,490 all up.
For a bike that's been this thoughtfully developed, with custom suspension components, die-cast alloy switchgear, a proven battery system, and a character that no big manufacturer can replicate, that's a genuinely compelling number.
At under $10K, the Streetdog XR is the most fun you'll have commuting, full stop.
The Bigger Picture
What FTN Motion have done with the Streetdog XR is exactly what you want to see from an emerging brand. They listened. They fixed the things that needed fixing. They improved the things that were already good. And they've done it all while keeping the price sharp and the character intact.
This is only the second version of this bike. FTN have never built anything else. And yet the XR feels like the product of a company that's been doing this for decades, because they've spent five years building supplier relationships, listening to customers, and refusing to cut corners on the components that matter.
The goal, as Luke puts it, is simple: build something that actually solves a problem for someone. Something you can use every day.
At $9,990 ride-away, with upgraded suspension that finally handles Sydney's roads, a riding position that's genuinely comfortable, and 80km of real-world range, the Streetdog XR is getting very close to doing exactly that.
It's the best commuter I've ridden. And I'm already looking forward to the next version.
The FTN Motion Streetdog XR is available in Street (Gunmetal Grey) and Scrambler (Desert Camel) variants, both at $9,990 ride-away. Join the waitlist at ftnmotion.com
Watch our full video review on the Biker Torque YouTube channel.