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IRL: Titan named 'Motorcycle of Choice' of the Indy 500

29 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Titan to produce limited edition Indy 500 bike for enthusiasts

INDIANAPOLIS- Titan has been named the Motorcycle of Choice for the Indianapolis 500, Titan Motorcycles and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced today.

As part of the agreement, Titan is producing 100 limited edition "Indy 500" Y2K Gecko Rubbermount motorcycles, available to motorcycle enthusiasts and Indianapolis 500 fans as the ultimate collectors piece. The winner of the 2000 Indianapolis 500 will receive an Indy 500 Titan Gecko Rubbermount.

"Since Titan was founded in 1995, our mission has been to provide each customer with a unique motorcycle," said Titan Motorcycles Chairman and CEO Frank Keery. "Our products are for people who have the strength to set their own course, pay attention to detail and demand a top-quality product. "The Indianapolis 500 is the worlds largest one-day sporting event thanks to people who have maintained the same principles for almost 90 years. Titan Motorcycles is very proud to be affiliated with this great American tradition."

The Indy 500 Gecko Rubbermount features custom graphics, including the 2000 Indy 500 logo and a striking orange-and-checkered flag paint scheme.

The bike has a 70-inch wheelbase, 34-degree rake angle and polished billet aluminum wheels. The engine is an 1833cc, four-stroke, 45-degree V-twin that generates 112 brake horsepower at 5,500 rpm.

Phoenix-based Titan Motorcycles, founded by Keery and his son, Patrick, who is company president, started production of hand-built custom motorcycles with six employees in a 2,000 square-foot building five years ago. The company, which has seen sales climb from 181 motorcycles in 1996 to approximately 1,100 in 1999, now has more than 200 employees and a 124,000 square-foot manufacturing plant. Company stock is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol TMOT.

Titan has strategic marketing partnerships with 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.

"The entrepreneurial spirit of the Keerys and the entire Titan Motorcycles staff has produced a very impressive company and an even more impressive product," said Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We feel the Titan Indy 500 motorcycle reflects the same values of tradition, quality and style that we at IMS hold dearly."

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 Susp.: 54 mm inverted forks with Titan billet triple trees.

Rear Susp.: Dual 13.5-inch shocks.

Seat height: 24.75 inches.

Dry weight: 635 pounds.

Text provided by IRL

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.