Official: 2020 Indian FTR Carbon
By Ben Purvis
Has written for dozens of magazines and websites, including most of the world’s biggest bike titles, as well as dabbling in car and technology journalism.
01.05.2020
Indian’s new 2020 FTR Carbon sits at the top of the firm’s streetfighter range with carbon fibre bodywork that befits its name and a £14,699 price tag.
That’s £1700 more than the current FTR 1200 S and £2800 more than the base version of the FTR 1200, and your money clearly gets a high-end look compared to the other models in the range.
The carbon-fibre components include the front mudguard, the fuel tank and airbox covers, the headlight cowl and the pillion seat cover, with bare carbon weave showing under the red and white graphics. There’s also an 2-1-2 Akrapovic silencer set and a tank-top ‘console’ that carries the ‘Indian FTR 1200 Carbon’ branding.
However, if you’re hoping for some substance beneath the style, you might be left wanting – on paper the add-ons don’t make for a substantial difference in spec compared to the FTR 1200 S.
Despite the weight-saving connotations of carbon-fibre, the FTR Carbon is actually weightier than either the base FTR 1200 or the FTR 1200 S. Complete with fuel, the FTR Carbon comes in at a claimed 235kg, where the ‘S’ model is listed at 231kg and the base version is 230kg in the same state. Only the scrambler-inspired, £12,149 FTR Rally version is heavier at 240kg.
The fully-adjustable suspension – 43mm USD forks and a side-mounted rear monoshock, with 150mm travel at both ends – is the same as that on the FTR 1200 S. So are the Brembo brakes. Similarly, the FTR 1200 Carbon’s technology – including a 4.3in touchscreen display with Bluetooth, lean-sensitive traction control, wheelie mitigation, and multiple riding modes – can also be found on the cheaper ‘S’ model.
There’s no clear performance advantage claimed for the Akrapovic exhaust, either, with Indian saying the bike makes the same 93kW (125hp) of power and 120Nm (88.5lbft) of torque as the stock version.
However, many buyers will happily spend at least the £1700 premium asked for the FTR Carbon on cosmetic improvements, and seen in that light the full carbon finish is definitely an upgrade over the normal paint.
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