2021 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs 2021 Indian FTR S (Detailed Comparison)

With the all new for 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster S and the heavily updated fro 2021 Indian FTR S, we have have two big American V-twin bruisers.
At first glance on paper they measure up pretty evenly so, which one would you go for?
In this video we take a look at differences and similarities between there looks, engines and drivetrains, chassis and pricing in order to help you decide.
So sit back, enjoy, see which on of these awesome bikes measures up best for you.
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Thanks for watching.
Music Credit:
Late Night Train by Vans in Japan

[@chriscoates2399]

I'd pick the Sportster S For me suits more my style of riding ! And prefer that look so it's a win win for me

[@gregoryhood6647]

suspension, handling especially the braking edge means to me that the indian is just a better bike to ride in every day city riding situations. i guess the deciding factor is where you will be riding the bike. me i live in a city with stop and go traffic most of the time so braking and suspension is most important.

[@JRDuran1994]

I rode both. Ftr hands down

[@tt4r]

Thank you MotoChatter for this excellent comparison video. It is very informative in helping to make a decision between two amazing bikes. Look forward to the next video and happy riding all.

[@MotoChatter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@QuentinsMotoVlog]

Very helpful comparison. These are the two I am looking at for my next bike.

[@bradstiennon]

I have the Indian FTR1200s in the White smoke and can not stop gushing about it! I cant speak to the Sposter S but I do have a friend with a Pan America which also has a rev max engine that has spent more time in the Harley shop than it has in his garage.

[@jocoloco1320]

You can control the FTR’s “touch screen” with a toggle stick on the hand grip. So if you don’t want to touch the screen you don’t have to.

[@curtn7076]

I'll take one of each! Both awesome bikes.

[@ruthlessinu626]

Love the FTR and if I can have both, I would. But I like to cruise and modify so the sportster suits that more. Just need a seat more comfortable with lumbar support. If the whole rear is removable, you can have thicker seating material. Saddlemen got the skills for all that. Change the exhaust to some 2-1 and throw some mid-controls. Later on, throw a more comfortable bars to cruise on, maybe a small fairing to cut some wind. That’s how I’d grow with the Sportster S. Cant wait to feel all that new power!

[@MotoChatter]

Sounds good, thanks for the comment.

[@biggerchris20]

Just to see that type of styling with an Indian logo is just cool as hell. Kudos to Indian for having to balls to make a bike like that. And I gotta give Harley love for making the XR1200, they should have really developed and evolved that bike.

[@Vet6970]

that's a tough call. they both look great. as for me I like the FTR a little more, looks more like a flat tracker. It's really a hard call.

[@devonnobles1083]

I've ridden both. Hands down the sportster s. The engine is better. The build quality and controls are better. The FTR gets really vibey above 5k. And you won't believe me unless you ride them, but the ftr isn't way ahead in the handling department. The ftr feels heavy and sluggish to turn in. Initial turn in on the sportster is great, but it fights you as you try to add lean.

[@seanbutler2291]

Ur prolly jus uncomfortable sitting on the ftr cuz its a lot taller riding position. On the bike rather than sitting in it. Remember wen u say vibey, the manufacturers probably designed that in, to make it feel faster, and try to give u a lil more feel. I know the gen2 vmax was like that on purpose. More visceral feeling. Most people that get vtwins dont want buttery smooth. You flash ur computer like everyone does anyway and itll more than likely b gone. Funny tho, id figure harley would be the one doin that.

[@terrykirby6718]

@@seanbutler2291 give it time, HD will kick this bike out of they're line up like they do all the decent Harleys dyna,vrod,buell. But with that being said on a track the ftr out performs the sportster s in every way. I've driven both and the ftr was the winner for me

[@seanbutler2291]

@@terrykirby6718 thats what iv been saying. I wouldnt want to get a new model harley like this till its been out a while. I wouldnt trust that it would continue on for long. And im not really surprised the whole profile of the ftr suggests more performance oriented. Whereas the harley still sits low and more back. Personally id stick with my gen2 vmax, it wont handle quite as well in the twisties. But damn it, u cant twist the throttle without grinning like a school boy getting his first bj.

[@mw6563]

As an aging sport bike rider I would go for the Indian and extra 10 degree lean angle. I like the low super compact design of the HD best though. BUT if we were broadly talking about upright 1200cc (ish) V-Twin brutes that did not come out of Japan… I find my mind wandering towards the KTM Superduke 1290R.

[@MotoChatter]

Hi M W, thanks for your comment. 10 degrees is a significant amount of extra lean angle for sure. I do feature the Superduke in another of my videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6CqhGOLpJWhj6s and you are right, it is a brute. Have a great day.

[@tinmisuun]

I have a 2019 FTR. I really want a 2022 FTR to sit next to my 2019 FTR.

[@hughtuller6344]

I got the FTR 1200S Race Replica. Love it. I’m sure the Harley is a great bike as well, but I was drawn to the flat track racer look of the Indian. The Harley still looks like a Cruiser, which is fine, but wanted so,etching a bit different.

[@robbyclark6915]

I understand the FTR completely. It’s an American sports/muscle bike with power, torque, lean angle, braking, suspension, ergonomics, and looks that all match exactly what the bike is meant to be. The Harley I’m just not sure about? A muscle/sport cruiser I guess? I like it for sure, but not exactly sure what Harley is trying to accomplish with this bike? It’s got the power and torque to compete with the FTR, but that’s where it ends. The ergonomics are traditionally cruiser. The handling is cruiser heavy with that rake and trail, big, fat, tires, limited lean angle, and lousy suspension from what I’m hearing online. Then you have that flat tracker rear end and exhaust? Weird. I like it but just not sure which one I like more? I love that the FTR knows exactly what it is and is just going for it, but I prefer the Harley dna and ergonomics cause I can’t sit sport bike style for very long. If I had to pick one, I’d go with the Harley. They just put Indian to shame in dealer support, mods, and I prefer the looks of the Harley too.

[@stevem4783]

I like power cruisers: forward controls, fat tires. So the look and feel of the FTR just doesn't do it for me, this comparison is an easy call. Besides, I don't think the Sporty was going after the FTR in particular, it's much more similar to the Scout. If Harley decides to roll out a 1250cc Bronx, there's your FTR competition. If Indian updates the Scout giving it equivalent performance and tech to the Sporty, then it becomes a more difficult call, but for right now, I'm having a hard time trying not to put down a deposit on a crimson red S.

[@MotoChatter]

I agree I don't think Harley were going after the FTR with the Sportster S, more the Scout Bobber, which it has comprehensively out gunned, as you elude to, so I wanted to do the comparison from the engine performance angle as the FTR has similar power etc. and the Scout wouldn't keep up with the Sportster S, but maybe they will beef it up now and give it some more tech, but then your choice would perhaps be harder. The Sportster is certainly an awesome bike and the exhaust is even growing on me, but I think I would still change it. New video coming in the next few weeks comparing the Scout Bobber to the Triumph Bobber. Thanks for watching and have a great day.

[@bnplaza]

Indian has continued to improve the FTR through the years... the new Harley Sportster, a fantastic bike will be around for 2 or 3 years before Harley chucks it like they did the Buell . What happened to the Bronx model ?

[@daronquinones8583]

I would like to know more about the new FTR Carbon

[@delgande]

They're essentially the "same" excdpt one is a "standard" and the other a "sport cruiser" so its a matter of styling preference With Harley releasing the nightster, I hope.Indian releases the lower displacement FTR

[@NeverCurseTheTime]

Which one has a better resale value???

[@snakebite6511]

Biggest problem with Indian is aftermarket and shitty dealer service. I recently went back to Harley because of this exact reason, loving my 2021 Street Glide Special and when compared to the Chieftain which reminds me of a Toyota because of how plastic feeling it is. Fit & finish on a Harley is far superior.

[@randallzook5570]

Both awesome bikes for sure but I went with the Sportster S better suits my riding style. The FTR is too tall for me, looks too much like a dirt bike and I don't like to get my bikes dirty : ) The tail light set up on both bikes is hideous however Corbin makes a nice fender mounted one which I just ordered $455 yikes. The forward controls on the sporty are also awkward to me so went with mids and it fixed that gripe for me. Love my Harley but it did take spending an extra 1k to make it my own but that's typical for a Harley. Thanks for the review.

[@jocoloco1320]

Just got a FTR…Wow! Well dressed hooligan!

[@abrahamnutrition]

I like the muscular look of the Harley more!

[@josephsaia5527]

Reviewers say the new Sportster with those tires takes much effort to turn in the twisties. I wish the S pipes were further away from rider. I just sold me Scrambler 1200 XC. Because of the heat even after removing the Cat

[@freebehindbars8654]

Looking at the front end let’s me know everything I’d want.

[@MrEiniweini]

Good breakdown, although the tech package in the Sportster S is closer to the FTR Carbon with lean angle traction control (both about the same price in Australia). Which would I choose after looking for the right bike for 8 months? Well I chose it already and if it were to be the FTR, I would have gotten it 8 months ago. My Sportster S should hit the dealer floor in mid November. I only had to throw my leg over the FTR to know it was not the bike for me. The Indian Scout nearly had me but compared to the Honda Rebel 1100 it just could not compete in value for money. I was literally two days away from ordering the Honda when the Harley Sportster S launch video came up. Two days later I found myself at the dealership signing up for the bike. I think HD hit the right spot smack in the middle of the Indian FTR and Scout. If the Scout had the tech package of the FTR I would be riding one right now.

[@MotoChatter]

The new FTR has been thoroughly updated and the FTR S does have lean angle traction control and stability control thanks to its IMU, although I am not 100% sure that spec is available in Australia yet, but the Carbon is well worth the extra for the Ohlins suspension for me. Enjoy your Sportster S, I am sure you will, it is an awesome bike. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.

[@seanbutler2291]

Shit i would have gone with that 1100 rebel. Lil less power, but more than likely all around a better bike for less money. 30lbs less weight too. With how sketchy harley is about actual new models. I wouldnt trust that it wouldnt end up like the buell bikes. In a corner being scoffed at by the old hardley guys, no one that can service them properly, barely aftermarket support. Honda will damn well stand by there product. Id wait till that new sporty been out a few years. Jus me and my opinion. Also with bikes like these tech packages are jus gravy who tf needs it. They arent 200 hp bikes. Half that crap ull never use, 1/4 of it u wont ever realize u have, and the last 1/4 is the abs and rain mode. The two things ull actually use.

[@MrEiniweini]

@@seanbutler2291 Kind of fair but I see other things in it also. The Honda is speed limited to 100MPH and I live in a part of the country that pulls triple trailers on Semi's at 60MPH. I want to get past that without my ECU deciding that my speed is more dangerous than the oncoming car. In Australia both bikes are hit with an import tax so the Honda is closer in price (not by much but the Harley is only 35% more expensive, not 50%). The Honda had been out for six months and there was only one after market seat available, sit on the thing and consider a long trip and you will understand my concern with that issue. Lastly, buying a bike is kind of silly money for enjoyment. If it isn't what you want then you are wasting your entire spend on it regardless of what you save. If price is important then a used bike is the better buy every time. I can buy a used BMW cruiser for half of the value of a new one that is only 4 years old and has less than 10,000 on the clock, the tech is still the same. I just don't want one.

[@seanbutler2291]

@@MrEiniweini i understand wat ur saying, fairly logical. I will say tho most people put an exhaust and flash the ecu. So thats really up to u keeping the speed restriction. Plus with how it pulls 40mph till cut off at 100 will give u plenty of room to pass my friend. Especially wen from wat i heard they are pretty damn quick on acceleration. 35% more money is still a lot tho, especially wen honda gives u all the goodies with the standard model. Neither are touring bikes and i imagine theyll both wear out ur lower back by 100 miles. Buttttt all that being said. Ur right about the silly money. Ride the bike that makes u feel something. The one that stirs passion in you. I dont recommend buying any of them new tho. Let someone else depreciate, especially a harley that might not resale like the old ones. We jus dont know yet. Look at rebel 300 and 500 seats i bet they are the same. Keep ur shiney side up.

[@superfastjimmyvideo]

I agree. I have them, and the S falls right between the FTR and the scout. All three will put a smile on your face, but for different reasons.

[@toofastnobrakes]

Eh, I think the scout is a closer comparison to the new sportster

[@MotoChatter]

You have a point as they are *not for similar uses, but I was coming from the engine performance angle as the Scout wouldn't keep up with the Sportster S. New video coming in the next few weeks comparing the Scout Bobber to the Triumph Bobber. Thanks for watching.

[@toofastnobrakes]

@@MotoChatter I understand from a spec sheet performance view. But as far as purpose built. There different bikes that IMO are not made to compete directly. you might as compare it with a super duke 🤷‍♂️ On that note I am hoping Harley makes a flat-tracker/street fighter style bike to compete with it. Still hoping they bring back the Bronx

[@MotoChatter]

@@toofastnobrakes That's my typo. Meant to say *not for similar uses, so I understand your reply and I agree they are not set compete directly against each other, although as you say they have a similar spec sheet which is the reason for the comparison and it's interesting to see how they measure up, as I say in the video, on paper they have a lot of in common. Glad you appreciate that. I can't remember when there were two such high performing 1200 V-twins coming out of the states, it's a win win for everyone, the cruisers and the canyon carvers. I hope Harley make a flat tracker to compete directly with the FTR too, they already have the engine platform with the new Revolution Max. I get the point you were trying to make, the Super duke is not an American 1200 v-twin and has 180 hp so is on the extreme, but hey, it's another great bike. I have a video looking at 7 Hyper-nakeds of 2021, which includes the Superduke RR, feel free to check it out if your are a fan of the big KTM. Thanks for the reply and have a great day.

[@jeepstertj556]

@@toofastnobrakes hd has a tracker and a cafe racer sportster in the works but they are coming out with the s (bobber style) and another more traditional looking one first. The Bronx was delayed (hopefully not permanently) because it was beat before it hit the streets. The Bronx was aimed at the ducati monster and originally was somewhat fairly matched until this past model that was recently released which is 40lbs lighter than the previous model. So the bronx got shelved until harley can figure out how to make it lighter. But they are obviously focusing on the new sportster line first

[@jiq9178]

I’m too short for ftr, the sad story ends there. Yea, I can ride it but won’t be comfortable.

[@jeepstertj556]

Two different kinds of bike, hd has a tracker style sportster on the way. They showed a concept of it and a cafe racer

[@MotoChatter]

I think there is even more to come, thanks for watching.

[@evil_musclemuscled3814]

I wanna see the fpr race that Harley

[@richeyg7052]

The Indian Scout has a 1300 cc big bore upgrade kit at about $1200 which would put it on par with the Sportser S. The upgrade kit would still be cheaper

[@bharsen]

Idk man, considering I just made 111 horsepower/84ft lbs tq on the dyno with my sportster s? That's a lot of horsepower to make up from 80 at the wheel with the Scout. It would have to produce over 30 horsepower at the tire or about 50 horsepower at the crank to even come close.

[@mbsnyderc]

I'd Go with FTR S the Sporter isn't sporty enough for that S in its name.

[@ahighervibe4086]

U might wanna RIDE ONE b4 making your mind up!

[@mbsnyderc]

@@ahighervibe4086 I already know what I like in a bike and this falls short.

[@jackwood2328]

The Harley looks consistent front to rear. The Indian is a design dogs dinner. Cannot pay money for that.

[@alexsalapan6329]

Sporster S is 26 LBS LIGHTER.. you should know that.

[@wavester46]

Why would you want a touch screen on a motorcycle? I guess the same reason you want a touch screen on a phone....it's just easier.

[@glickmpb]

The engine is still a V-Twin. Pass... The Harley only has a single front disc brake? Really??

[@ahighervibe4086]

Maybe ride one b4 pissing on it😉

[@glickmpb]

@@ahighervibe4086 ROFL! How do you know I havent!?

[@jonvelde5730]

Seriously, Harley?!! ONE more horsepower? It makes me sad that Harley is so lazer focused on Indian, but apparently afraid to take on the Japanese or even the Europeans.

[@arnauddechamps855]

prices has roofed for the 1200Sportster now retail starts at $16.400, while the Indians remains almost the same as $13.5K, a Indian wins all the way, HD is not going anywhere but into the abyss of wokeness.

[@oliver6287]

Why would you even compare these bikes? They aren’t even in the same class

[@Lordturisas1]

The Sportster S is one ugly hunk of shit. It's a great bike, but holy God in heaven, it looks horrible. The FTR, on the other hand, might be the most beautiful bike in the world.

[@johnhawker3319]

Indian beats it hands down... the Harley is a joke what the hell were they thinking designing this ergonomically challenged lemon.....