It’s understandably tempting to go straight for the highest or special-edition trims when you’re shopping for motorcycles. That’s especially true if the motorcycle you’re eying has some features limited to specific trims. For example, if you want the Harley-Davidson Pan America’s adaptive-height suspension, you have to get the 1250 Special. However, some bikes offer an alternative to the lineup ladder: the accessory catalog. But is the updated 2022 Indian FTR S one of those bikes?
2022 Indian FTR S vs. R Carbon: the differences are in the details
| Spec | 2022 Indian FTR S, R Carbon |
| Engine | 1203cc liquid-cooled V-twin |
| Power | 120 hp |
| Torque | 87 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual with slipper-assist clutch |
| Front suspension and travel | FTR S: ZF Sachs fully-adjustable inverted cartridge fork; 4.72” FTR R Carbon: Ohlins fully-adjustable inverted cartridge fork; 4.72” |
| Rear suspension and travel | FTR S: ZF Sachs fully-adjustable piggyback IFP; 4.72” FTR R Carbon: Ohlins fully-adjustable piggyback IFP: 4.72” |
| Seat height | 32.2″ |
| Curb weight | FTR S: 514 lbs FTR R Carbon: 511 lbs |
| Starting price | S: $14,999 R Carbon: $16,999 |
The FTR S and R Carbon are the second-highest and highest trims, respectively, in the 2022 Indian FTR lineup. They both have the same V-twin powertrain and overall layout as the base 2022 FTR, including identical suspension geometries. However, the 2022 FTR S and R Carbon get some key upgrades over the base bike.
Firstly, the 2022 Indian FTR S has a 4.3” TFT display rather than an analog gauge like the base FTR. As a result, it has Bluetooth and can connect to your phone via Indian’s Ride Command app. The FTR S also has three ride modes, plus lean-sensitive wheelie control, stability control, traction control, and ABS. And it comes standard with a USB charging port, which is optional on the base model. Plus, for 2022, the Indian FTR S gets a titanium Akrapovic exhaust.
The 2022 FTR R Carbon also gets these features, including the same Akrapovic exhaust, Cycle World notes, albeit black. However, it has several additional features that the 2022 Indian FTR S lacks. For one, it swaps the Sachs suspension for Ohlins units. It also gets carbon-fiber tank (well, airbox) covers, as well as a carbon-fiber headlight nacelle and front fender. Plus, it has a firmer seat than the S, RideApart reports. And while the 2022 FTR S has a black frame, the R Carbon’s is red and silver.
With the right accessories, you can turn the 2022 Indian FTR S into an ersatz R Carbon
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In short, for $2000 more than the 2022 Indian FTR S, the R Carbon gets an upgraded suspension setup, some carbon-fiber bits, and a few cosmetic tweaks. However, it’s essentially identical mechanically to the S. The two even have the same tires and wheel sizes, though the R Carbon’s wheels’ rims are a different shade of red. And crucially, Indian offers the same kinds of accessories on the 2022 FTR S and R Carbon.
Those accessories break down in the following way:
- Performance
- High-mount exhaust conversion and mounting kit
- Ohlins forks and rear shock (FTR S only)
- Rally footpegs
- Roland Sands Design handguards
- RSD swingarm spools (for rear-wheel stands)
- Bags and luggage carrying
- Rear and side luggage racks
- Rear rack bag
- All-weather vinyl duffle, side, tank, and messenger bags
- Weather protection and comfort
- RSD comfort handgrips
- Heated grips
- Passenger footpeg relocation kit for high-mount exhausts
- Polycarbonate low and mid windscreens
- Rubber footpeg inserts
- Steel passenger grab handle
- R Carbon seat (FTR S only)
- All-weather vinyl seats
- Cosmetic
- Colored and carbon-fiber tank (airbox) covers
- Carbon-fiber front fender (FTR S only)
- Carbon-fiber seat cowl, chain guard, and V-covers
- Rizoma Radial RS mirrors
- Rear mudguard
- Carbon-fiber and aluminum radiator guards
- RSD engine cover
- Side number plates
- Handlebar phone mount
- RSD brake fluid reservoir caps
- Carbon-fiber headlight nacelle (FTR S only)
- Clear turn signals
- High license plate mount
MotorBiscuit’s 2022 Indian FTR S press bike came with some choice accessories
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I recently spent some time riding an accessorized 2022 Indian FTR S. While it wasn’t a carbon copy of the R Carbon, it had the upgraded Ohlins suspension. The press bike also had a black vinyl tracker seat, black polycarbonate low windscreen, carbon-fiber front fender, and Rizoma mirrors. Plus, the R Carbon’s blacked-out exhaust covers and some black tank covers that, as of this writing, aren’t available as accessories.
Adding these accessories would add the following amounts to a stock 2022 Indian FTR S:
- Rizoma mirrors: $369.99
- Tank covers: $499.99 (estimated)
- Vinyl tracker seat: $199.99
- Tracker seat base cowl: $299.99
- Carbon-fiber front fender: $279.99
- Polycarbonate low windshield without headlight cowl: $149.99
- Steel windshield mount: $249.99
- Ohlins forks: $1799.99
- Ohlins rear shock: $899.99
- Black Akrapovic cover: $100
That adds up to an as-equipped cost of $19,478.92. And if my test bike had carbon-fiber tank covers, it would be $100 more expensive.
Is it worth upgrading the lower 2022 FTR trim to the highest level?
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However, the biggest functional difference between the FTR S and the R Carbon is the suspension setup. So, cosmetics aside, you could ‘clone’ the R Carbon just by equipping the S with the Ohlins suspension. But that still leaves you with a $17,698.98 2022 Indian FTR S. In other words, the R Carbon is still cheaper.
Cosmetics aside, is the upcharge worth it? As I haven’t ridden a 2022 Indian FTR S with the Sachs suspension, it’s difficult to say. However, I was thoroughly impressed with how well the Ohlins suspension soaked up bumps and imperfections while still delivering grin-inducing handling. The ride is on the stiffer side, but it’s well-damped and never uncomfortable. And for what it’s worth, while The Drive says the Sachs shocks “are…known for being excellent,” it also notes that “ZF isn’t Ohlins.”
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That’s not to say the stock 2022 Indian FTR S is bad. In all of its trims, it’s “a genuinely fun motorcycle,” Cycle World says—and I concur. But if I was spending my own money, I might skip over the S and go straight for the R Carbon.
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