Harley-Davidson Sportster S Vs Indian FTR Sport - 2023's BEST Sporty Cruiser?

A Detailed Specs Comparison between the Harley-Davidson Sportster S and Indian FTR Sport.
Harley Davidson’s brand new high tech iteration of their long loved Sporty motorcycle, The sportster S. Up against the newly released 2023 version of the favourite from Indian, the FTR Sport. If you’re after a powerful, high tech, Flat tracker inspired cruiser then these two are impossible to ignore and are offering a seriously huge amount of value. Both are vying for the crown of best Sporty Cruiser and today we are going to dive headfirst into exactly what the differences are and find out once and for all, who comes out on top.
G’day I’m Kwackajack and welcome to another episode of the Versus series! This is where we take two similar bikes you might be looking to choose between and put them under the magnifying glass to find out exactly where they differ and help you with your buying decisions. In this episode we’ve got two beautiful, powerful and popular machines going head to head to analyse the styling, claimed Engine & power specs, exhaust notes, Weight, Suspension & brakes, Fuel economy, features & price to see where they stack up. Before we get into it though make sure to subscribe if you’re new so you stay up to date with the latest in Motorcycle news and a big thanks to subscriber ‘The Centaur’ for leaving this matchup suggestion!.
NOTICE: This video is fair use under U.S. copyright law because it is transformative in nature, uses no more of the original than necessary and has no negative effect on the market for the original work.

[@toofastnobrakes]

So I’ve now test ridden both bikes multiple times. And wanted to add my own opinions on this. Firstly the FTR is not a cruiser in any sense of the word. Now that that’s out of the way 1, motor and power. The sportster does feel faster. That extra torque does make a decent difference. But the ftr is not slouch at all. 2, handling and ergo’s. The ftr takes this one hands down. It handles better through corners, has better corner clearance, and the ergos match the bike and what is it made for. the Harley handles better that you’d expect. But lack or lean angle and clam shell ergos make it feel like a confused bike. It feels like a sporty naked bike trapped in the body of a “cruiser”. I will say the mid controls definitely help mitigate this. Allowing you to actually grip the tank. But it’s a bandage on a bigger issue. 3, sound. Both bikes sound god awful with the stock cans. But even with and aftermarket pipes I’ve seen the sportster never quite sounds “right” it’s always a little to raspy and always sounds like it’s running lean. The ftr however sounds like and absolute animal with a good pipe.

[@bc_usa]

Everyone has their opinion. I totally disagree with everything you said.

[@toofastnobrakes]

@@bc_usa I mean that’s your right. since you said EVERYTHING I’m curious as to how you disagree with some of the factual statements I made, But you do you. We’re probably just different kinds of riders 👍

[@NightWolfsHAMMER]

​@@toofastnobrakesnone of your points are wrong. Sounds to me like he's just and angry Harley Rider mad because the FTR is a better bike. I own HDs and have had multiple sport bikes but can't deny the FTR is a badass bike. I'm stuck between the FTR sport and Triumph Street Triple as my next bike.

[@ringo4419]

I haven't watched this yet, but I recon the Indian is the better bike! Just watched, I still prefer the FTR

[@Jack908r]

The harley sportster isn't a competitor to the ftr. Ones a sport bike, the other is a jazzed up cruiser with a single disk up front.

[@chrishanson2611]

The sportster is faster 😂

[@Starlesslemon]

The FTR is not a sports bike... And good job outing yourself as a brochure rat. Single disc or dual disc means absolutely nothing. Best stopping bike I've ever ridden was a Buell with a single disc up front.

[@Jack908r]

@@chrishanson2611 Sure, but speed alone does not a sport bike make. The HD hasn't got the lean angle or the braking prowess. Which is my point. But if you like the HD and it works for you, then buy it and enjoy it. But its not a sport bike.

[@MrEiniweini]

Thanks for the shout out. I own the Sportster S and even I was thinking the FTR was a better bike at the end. It is objectively and on paper but how do you ride? The FTR puts the foot pegs behind you, standard sport riding. But how do you want to ride? I actually use my Sportster S as a commuter (40mm up and 25mm back bar risers are a must have). Just sit down, feet in front like a couch and the thing looks like a bulldog. The FTR Carbon was there a year before the Sportster S and I threw a leg over it, stepped off and went looking at the Honda Rebel. I was two days off buying a Rebel (CMX1100) when they announced the introduction of the Sportster S. I bought it on announcement. The theme here is... Specs are not everything but ergonomics are. The FTR definitely outclasses the Sportster S as a track weapon, but what are you going to do with your bike? I don't need to gear down to grab power, I just need the throttle when at 4,000 RPM (standard cruising rev). In all honesty though, the rear suspension is crap because there is sweet FA you can adjust out of a 5 CM travel on a rear shock.

[@here2enjoy-bt8jq]

7:00 how come just a single disc is enough on Such a fast bike?

[@AntiPattern328]

The FTR Sport all the way. I rode everything and wouldn't give up my 2023 FTR Sport for anything!!!!! The FTR will handle canyons with most any bullet bike and wheelies are just sooooo easy and fun!!! I think the Harley would compare better with the Indian Bobber with that huge front tire, feet forward cruiser. The Indian is way more sporty and fun to ride.

[@PrecisionMotorwerks]

I’m ngl I never been a fan of Harley’s or bikes in general, (more of a car guy),But someone I know has a sportster s and it looks super tough in person. The ftr def looks wavy too tho

[@daniellevin1907]

Ergonomics seem to be a significant differentiator between these two bikes…seems the FTR would be a better and more comfortable fit for taller riders…?

[@TheFirstCause]

I love the Sporster S, in terms of looks I think the headlight is awesome, similar to the Fat Boy updated light which is actually what first made me start noticing Harley's (which all looked like they were designed in the 1950s as far as I was concerned). It is really only that bulky exhaust that looks a little weird on the Sportster S. I think it has too much open space, it needs to be visually broken up with different heat shields and/or design lines and shapes.

[@low87dawg86]

I own a Harley but that FTR is just better looking and I could probably ride it. The sportster is small and more of a cruiser like the Indian scout. FTR for me. 😊

[@here2enjoy-bt8jq]

6:18 I'm sitting on the couch and ouch it hurts my back and legs to see such an aggressive riding position with legs in the forward position. Am I wrong?

[@85emlopez]

I think harley took a huge leap in the right direction but completely fell flat with the exhaust, headlight, and fuel capacity. A Harley salesman i spoke with even admitted the tiny gas tank has been the leading cause of new sportsters be traded in. I think FTR takes the win here, but also wish Indian would beef up the fuel capacity. Wouldn't mind owning an FTR.... cant wait to see what else Harley has up there sleeves with the new sportster engines... in the meantime I'll just keep enjoying my Z900rs ;)

[@radicalkonrad765]

FTR easy choice but if harley can make a proper naked with the same motor it maybe better

[@here2enjoy-bt8jq]

Also, FTR can shed 20lbs easily as soon as the warranty is up and replacing the battery to lithium one. Putting it close to 500lbs for S and under 500lbs for R Carbon.

[@06330i]

I switched the exhaust out on mine and dropped it 11 pounds as well

[@here2enjoy-bt8jq]

@@06330i it's worth only for 2023 right? Because 2022 and 2024 comes with akrapovic from factory I believe. What happened in 2023 is unknown to have stock exhaust costing the customer more to upgrade.

[@06330i]

@@here2enjoy-bt8jq the akrapovic are heavy too, and not really loud unless you pull the baffles out of them

[@billred3820]

Wish i had enough scheckels for both. The sportster s is awesome, and so is the ftr.

[@purnadhara108]

one thing you won't get on the Indian is access to the HOG network. Does Indian even have a relatively active, dealer sponsored social group? I'm sure they do but Sydney HOG for example regularly gets 30+ riders per ride. It's pretty awesome. Having said that the big shortcoming with the Sportster S is the crazy lack of rear fender meaning you can't really ride it in wet weather. I had to spend big on importing a Corbin replacement fender system from the States.

[@72275]

IMRG is the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group. Same theory as HOG only with better bikes 😅

[@gustavorojas8196]

​@@72275 You beat me to it. Harley technology is behind and their price range is not level with quality.

[@paulmarion7578]

The FTR kicks ASS ! The last sportster that was built was in 1970 that thing there calling a sportster is not even close to a sportster . They can call it something else but it is no Sportster !

[@yvonnegonzalez5616]

Cycle= Motorized;& Bike= Manual.

[@here2enjoy-bt8jq]

Why don't comparison videos put the info side by side. That's stupid..!

[@rogergr5019]

Ftr all day

[@SavioureG]

How is the FTR a cruiser? This video is silly but entertaining lol

[@radicalkonrad765]

The sportster can have mid controls too and the FTRs only competition is the sportster

[@robertdavey319]

The Indian is the better looking, better priced better bike all round.

[@davewallis]

the FTR is NOT a sport bike? is he serious??

[@radicalkonrad765]

It's a naked bike

[@madrat5176]

The Harley has an amazing new engine in a horrible bike that’s way too small (it’s basically a mini bike) and incredibly ugly. This engine should’ve debuted in the Nightster…

[@MrEiniweini]

Perhaps look again and in person. It looks like a bulldog. The Nightster is a bad play for Harley. It does not work. The Sportster S has appeal where the Nightster just looks tame. Eye of the beholder of course, even I think the left side of the bike looks like an after thought. Also, the Sportster S is fun to ride, every time, even after 16 months.

[@madrat5176]

@@MrEiniweini I’ve seen and ridden the Sportster S many times. It’s comically small and the forward controls are ridiculous. It’s fast and fun, but a bizarre design.

[@MrEiniweini]

@@madrat5176 You have ridden it many times huh? Pray tell? Where does the ignition key go? How long does it take to warm up and drop revs to idle? Where is the sweet spot for the grab end of the torque band? Why are the forward controls ridiculous? You have, as you said "ridden the Sportster S many times". Why does a bike with 17" rims compare to a mini bike? You are the voice of reason here, I have only put down 16,000 KM on it.

[@madrat5176]

@@MrEiniweini Wow you get but hurt incredibly easily 😂

[@MrEiniweini]

@@madrat5176 Hmm. I asked a few questions you don't answer. Don't put it back on me troll. You are only owning yourself here. If you had said you had driven a Corolla a few times and did not like it, all good. People will lend you their Corolla. They don't lend you their motorbike multiple times. I am not hurt son, I am laughing at you.

[@yoshit9819]

That's one ugly Harley. The FTR is leaps ahead in styling

[@mohawkman3034]

Why do you keep showing Kawasaki in this video?