Arctos collection which is the subsidiary branch of Gannet Design has taken the wraps off the Indian FTR as its latest project whose aim was to build a street motorcycle for a Switzerland-based private client. The bike is jointly designed by car/motorcycle designer Ulfert Janssen and Gannet Design and former MotoGP race mechanic Stefan Fuhrer with Fuhrer Moto and his team of artisans and mechanics.
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With a flat track racing theme of Indian motorcycles, the frame of FTR has received a lot of modification. It gets partly covered by the plastic “tank covers” which are housing the airbox. Through the design process, the first scratches were molded into clay models to create a 3D form. Through this, the team created metal parts. The speedometer here is integrated into the tank cover while the handlebars are designed for racing. Other design details include an aluminum flat track racing tank and tail section from Roland Sands.
The features of this FTR include Jetprime’s all-black racing control buttons and footpegs from Gilles which hint at the racing DNA while the small tail light and two small high-tech headlights come from Highsider Germany. The Synto Evo brake/clutch levers, brake fluid reservoir, and the number plate holder are from ABM Fahrzeugtechnik and are made to match the color scheme of the bike. The Kineo golden and black spoke wheels are placed with the Anakee Wild knobby tires of Michelin. The exhaust system is created by Zard in a special titanium version with a blue tint. The SC-Project exhaust used in this bike provides a round touch to the two-cylinder engine, while the saddle is a special custom upholstery by Zwahlen NIZ. The paint used is a rare mixture of “scrubbed” and high gloss shine in deep midnight blue with golden details, while the trellis frame is painted pearl white.
Ulfert Janssen, commented, “We immediately became aware why Indian designers decided to partially cover the frame as everything is asymmetrical on that tubular frame, specially with the mono rear suspension. But we decided to take on the challenge and expose the beautiful trellis frame in full. It gave us a lot of headache, but it was totally worth it and the result with the exposed frame painted in pearl white is stunning.”
Stefan Fuhrer, added, “Our goal was to integrate all the technical requirements and adjustments without affecting the concept. That was a real challenge because of incredible tight space issues for all the components and we had to replace many parts in other locations on the bike and reroute the cables and electronics. It was important to us that we solve and adapt the individual components in such a way that there is a coherent overall picture to get a very sleek and technically perfect racer.”