Wednesday, January 28, 2026

On this day in 2000, Titan Partners with the Indianapolis 500

On this day, January, 28, 2000, Titan Motorcycles of Phoenix, Arizona and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced as part of the agreement, that Titan would produce 100 limited edition "Indy 500" Y2K Gecko Rubbermount motorcycles. The bikes would be "available to motorcycle enthusiasts and Indianapolis 500 fans alike as the ultimate collector's piece". 

Image Source: Indiana Motorcycle Historical Society 

They announced that the winner of the 2000 Indianapolis 500 would receive a free one and Titan Motorcycles stated they were very proud to be affiliated with such a great American tradition as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But, the love didn't last as Titan went bankrupt a year later. 

The special edition motorcycle dubbed "The Indy 500 Gecko Rubbermount" featured custom graphics, including the 2000 Indy 500 logo and an orange-and-checkered flag paint scheme. The motorcycles had a 70-inch wheelbase, 34 degree rake and polished billet aluminum wheels. The engine is an 1833cc, four-stroke, 45-degree V-twin. 

Titan had strategic marketing partnerships with several motorsports and entertainment companies such as Indy Racing League team Kelley Racing, Fender Guitars, Playboy, Shelby American, NAPA and NASCAR Winston Cup Series team owner Michael Kranefuss. 

2000 TITAN INDY 500 GECKO RUBBERMOUNT SPECIFICATIONS: 

  • Engine: Four stroke, 45 Degree, V-twin, 1833cc. Air-cooled with push rod-actuated overhead valves; two valves per cylinder with roller rocker arms and valve lifters. S&S Series "G" carburetor and K&N supercharger air cleaner. 
  • Horsepower: 112 brake horsepower at 5,500 rpm. 
  • Torque: 121 foot pounds at 4,000 rpm. Mileage: 28 miles per gallon city/35 miles per gallon highway. Bore/Stroke/ Compression: 4.0 inches/4.45 inches/9.8:1. 
  • Drive Train: 5 speed constant mesh with diamond chain to Titan racing-spec clutch. 
  • Wheelbase: 70 inches. 
  • Wheels: Polished billet aluminum. 
  • Front: 2.15 x 21 inches. 
  • Rear: 5.5 x 18 inches. 
  • Rake: 34 degrees. 
  • Front Suspension: 54 mm inverted forks with Titan billet triple trees. 
  • Rear Suspension: Dual 13.5-inch shocks. 
  • Seat height: 24.75 inches. 
  • Dry weight: 635 pounds.

NOTE: The original Titan Motorcycle Company began production in 1995 and was the first custom motorcycle company to produce in volume. At the time, many motorcycle folks like myself will remember that there was a shortage of brand new Harley-Davidsons, and those who were lucky enough to get a new one would quite often disassemble them, customize to our taste..

Theme motorcycles, specifically heavily customized, brand-specific, or overtly themed chopper builds have largely fallen out of favor in the mainstream market. While a niche interest still remains, the industry has shifted away from the "theme" look towards more functional, modern, or retro-styled motorcycles. 

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Indiana Motorcycle First Response Training

Indianapolis, Indiana (January, 2026) - After a several years of fatal motorcycle accidents around the state of Indiana, many motorcyclist expressed on local internet boards that they felt helpless if they ever came upon a downed, fellow rider that needed medical attention. 

Due to a series of tragic wrecks involving our friends that hit members of our non-profit particularly hard, a program called Riders Rescue was created. What started as an internal, first aid course by a couple of our members, including a retired EMT-B, the training became available statewide in 2025 to cover all of Indiana. 

While many motorcyclist in Indiana have some sort of basic first aid training, nothing was local that directly addressed the particular problems facing folks on two wheels on a constant basis. Aimed at the general public, Riders Rescue offers motorcycle first aid trauma training so motorcyclists and bystanders can help in the event of a motorcycle or any other two wheel trauma, be it a bicycle, scooter or a motorized bicycle accident. 

Pictured: A local EMS assisting an injured motorcyclist

Our goal is to have as many Hoosiers trained and prepared to handle motorcycle and two wheel accidents as possible, with training available to all corners of the state. The course is also good for licensed healthcare providers that would like to learn more about motorcycle specific injuries, but it's not a replacement for state licensed EMS training unless specified otherwise. 

About the Training

Riders Rescue currently has two training locations in the metro Indianapolis area. We are able to utilize those locations through our main non-profit organization for training purposes. Our main training classroom is set up at the Sherman Drive office of Bikersinc on the Eastside of Indianapolis, Indiana and is able to train up to 10 students at a time. 

Their facility is ADA compliant with plenty of secure off street parking. For larger training sessions of 10 or more, we have agreements in place to have hosting at a few local area businesses that are able to handle up to 30+ students at one setting. Brian, our lead instructor, along with a trained assistant are also able travel with their mobile classroom to almost anywhere in Indiana to instruct students. 

To better offer flexibility, we have a blended course. For the blended, there is an online portion that has to be completed first and an instructor led classroom skill portion. Along with the basic course, there are also intermediate and advanced classes as well. All specific two wheel related trauma training is covered in person in a classroom setting. 

Currently, the cost for the level 1 Basic runs about $135.00 per student. The level 2 Intermediate courses run about $250.00 per student, unless otherwise noted by a generous sponsor. Upon course completion, the student will receive a trauma kit per class course level, training manual, frameable certificate of completion and 1 year membership to their website. 

Some of the topics covered in Level 1 course include: Jaw Thrust, Helmet Removal, Injuries, Tourniquet, General Principles of TIM and more. 

Registration for our Spring and Summer training is first come - first served


 Two Wheel Trauma 

Over 52% of motorcycle crashes will result in serious injury or fatality.. 

The Two Wheel Trauma Courses will provide you with the tools you need to manage motorcycle trauma and make a difference in the care and transportation of the injured rider. 

Two Wheel Trauma is a series of training courses that trains both motorcyclists and bicyclists in various forms of first aid before EMS arrives. For motorcyclists the course dives right into traumatic injury since motorcyclists are on all forms of roadways with other vehicles. There are currently two levels for motorcyclists. Level 1 covers basic trauma training. 

Level 2 goes further with more advanced training. For bicyclists, the course starts off with urban trail ways or parks in mind where medical related issues may arise more so than traumatic injury. However, there are various levels suited for other types of bicycling such as off road, rural roadways with a cycling club, or urban street riding. In these instances, traumatic injury pertaining to bicycle related incidents are covered. 

Military and Veterans Discount

We are extremity grateful to our men and women who served our nation and for those that continue to do so. This training program was started by a few Veterans of the US Navy and the US Marines a few years ago, while our lead instructor is retired Veteran of the US Air Force. 

As the first and only Veteran created and ran first response trauma training geared toward motorcyclist in Indiana, we are extremely honored to offer discounts to our nations finest.

Military and Veterans discounts applies to all class materials, training classes as well as our trauma kits and supplies once they are verified. 

Photo courtesy of Bikers Helping Veterans 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Riders Rescue is open to sponsorships to help with minimizing rider fatalities in the state of Indiana. If your business entails directly working with motorcycle people, then this is a great opportunity to show you care and support them. 

Your sponsorship will go far because it will help pay for course materials, trauma kits, pay down costs for student courses, specialized training tools and sponsorship is tax deductible.   

If interested in sponsoring a class or be involved, go to RidersRescue.org for more information, or just pick up a phone and call 317-600-377seven

Riders Rescue is an educational program of Bikersinc.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.. 






On this day in 2000, Titan Partners with the Indianapolis 500

On this day, January, 28, 2000, Titan Motorcycles of Phoenix, Arizona and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced as part of the agr...