A DECADE OF DESIGNING SAFETY - THE TBG JOURNEY

The Beginning: Born to Ride

My motorcycle journey didn't start in a boardroom or a design studio. It started in my childhood, watching my father's Yezdi and RD350 roar to life. The smell of two-stroke oil, the distinctive sound of those legendary bikes - that's where the passion was born.

Just after college, I got my first motorcycle and discovered the freedom of the open road. But it was in 2011 that riding became more than just transportation - it became a way of life.

Born Riders: Building a Community

In 2011, I founded Born Riders - a riding group that would change everything. What started as weekend breakfast rides to kill the corporate bordem evolved into overnight trips, mountain adventures, and a tight-knit community of passionate riders. In just over a year, we organized almost 100 rides, creating memories and friendships that last to this day.

View our Born Riders photo albums

The Track Calling: 2011 - The Turning Point

2011 was the year everything changed. I went to the Kari Motor Speedway to watch and photograph my Born Riders friends on track. Standing at that corner, watching bikes lean at impossible angles, I had an epiphany: This wasn't just fun - this was where real learning happened.

In 2012 the track became my classroom. Every corner taught me about physics, control, and most importantly - the limits of both machine and rider.

View photo albums here (15-Oct-2011)

The Genesis of TBG: 2013 - Why I Had to Start This Brand

The decision to start TBG wasn't born from market research or business plans. It was born from personal necessity.

After attending the California Superbike School (CSS) track training in 2013, I realized I couldn't push my Kawasaki Ninja 250R to its limits with the "stop-gap" racing gear I had. The gear available was either:

• Imported and expensive (not designed for Indian conditions)
• Locally made but inadequate (wouldn't protect in a real crash)
• Completely missing for serious track enthusiasts

The question became urgent: If I, as an experienced rider, couldn't find proper gear, what about thousands of other Indian riders?

The Leap: From Software to Safety Gear

While working at Microsoft (where I spent 11 years as a Diagnostic Engineer), I started TBG as a side project. But it quickly became clear this was more than a business - it was a mission to make riding safer for every Indian motorcyclist.

Track Days & Racing: 2014-2018 - The Real-World Laboratory

Organizing Track Days (2014-2018)

For four years, I organized track days at MMRT/MIC (Madras International Circuit) because none were organizing track days there, handling everything:

• Track booking and logistics
• Bike transport arrangements
• Hotel bookings for outstation riders
• Refreshments, ambulance, and medical support
• Creating a safe environment for riders to learn

These track days weren't just events - they were living laboratories where I saw firsthand what riders needed, what gear failed, and where the gaps were.

Going Racing: 2015 - Testing at the Limit

In 2015, I took the leap into competitive racing on my Triumph Daytona 675R. the idea being to experience ultimate rush on two wheels:

• MRF Superbike Championship at MMRT
• JK Tyre Superbike Championship at Buddh International Circuit (2 rounds)

Racing taught me what no design studio ever could: How gear performs at 200km/h, in extreme heat, under maximum stress. It showed me where seams failed, where armor shifted, and what truly protected in a crash.

A Decade of Design Experience: What Makes TBG Unique

I am probably the only person in India who has a decade of experience designing motorcycle racing safety gear. This isn't a marketing claim - it's a fact born from:

1. 1,000+ hours on track (both riding and organizing)
2. Direct feedback from hundreds of riders at track days
3. Personal crash testing (crashing at 170kmph, yes unintentional!)
4. Continuous iteration based on real-world performance
5. Deep understanding of Indian riding conditions, body types, and weather

The TBG Design Philosophy: Born from Experience

Our design process is unique because it's born from 10 years of track experience, not design school theory:

1. Track-First Design

Every TBG product starts from a track racing perspective where ultimate safety is expected. We don't design in studios and but it starts at the racing track. This means:

• Researching on different types of motorcycle crashes
• Understanding how gear moves at lean angles
• Knowing where abrasion happens in crashes
• Designing for ventilation in Indian heat
• Ensuring armor stays in place during impacts

2. The 3 Non-Negotiables

Every TBG product must pass these tests:

1. Would I wear it racing? (If not, it doesn't get made)
2. Would it protect in a 200km/h crash? (Every material chosen for this)
3. Is it comfortable for 6+ hours of riding? (Indian roads demand endurance)

3. Global Tech + Local Intelligence

We combine:

• SAS-TEC armor from Germany (world's best impact protection)
• Knox SPS from UK (patented scaphoid protection)
• SuperFabric® for maximum abrasion resistance
• But designed for Indian body proportions, weather, and riding conditions

The TBG Timeline: Milestones of Innovation

TBG Sport Gloves & TBG Street Gloves

India's first gloves with Knox SPS (Scaphoid Protection System)

• Patented technology that redirects impact away from the vulnerable scaphoid bone
• Previously only in ₹15,000+ imported gloves
• We made it accessible at ₹5,950
• Added SuperFabric® in high-abrasion areas
• 99% success rates in avoiding wrist and Scaphoid injuries

TBG Knight Mesh Jacket

India's first mesh jacket with SAS-TEC CE Level 2 armor

• Previously, SAS-TEC was only in ₹30,000+ imported jackets
• We made it accessible at ₹10,500
• Added Reissa® Membrane breathable rain liner (another first for India)
• Riders finally had gear that worked in Chennai heat AND Himalayan cold

TBG GP PRO Racing Suit - Airbag Compatible

India's first Airbag Compatible Racing Suit with SAS-TEC CE Level 2 armor

• Airbag Compatible racing suits were not seen at this price range
• Best in class SAS-TEC Level 2 protection for shoulder, elbow & knees
• Premium quality, Premium Safety armors and 99% success rate in avoiding collar-bone injuries

The Validation: Real Crashes, Real Protection

Kartik Verma's Crash (2019, Madras International Circuit):
"I had a fast crash on a corner... The gloves protection on the Knox and the side metal plates took an amazing hit and did not expose the actual gloves surface to the ground. It did not transfer any injury to my hand."

Sandeep Gorai (4+ years of racing crashes):
"The suit has been my saviour for over 4 years. The thick Sastec L2 armours make sure you come out of crashes without any injury... Haven't seen this level of attention to detail at this price range ever."

Vishwadev Muraleedharan (National Champion):
"After using brands like Alpinestars & Ixon's top of the line race suits for racing I in may ways feel TBG is better and would cost you half their price."

These aren't marketing testimonials - they're validation that our gear works when lives are on the line.

The TBG Community: Riders Helping Riders

TBG's growth has been organic and authentic - driven by riders who experienced the difference:

From Born Riders to TBG Riders

The community spirit I built with Born Riders (100+ rides in a year) became the foundation of TBG. We're not just selling gear - we're building a safety-first riding culture in India.

Real Riders, Real Stories

What makes TBG unique is that our best advocates aren't paid influencers - they're riders who experienced our gear in crashes:

Pukhraj Singh (Racer):
"Hands down one of the best product out there amongst Indian brands... I have experienced some shallow and some nasty crashes on track but TBG gloves are still the one I would choose over the majority of the other high-performance protection."

Satadru Ganguly:
"The product quality feels really premium and rugged, with a good amount of protection... The owner himself, Sukesh, provided the necessary guidance and support throughout the product delivery process. It provided a lot of confidence knowing that the perspective is coming from someone who himself is into motorcycling and racing."

🛠️ What Makes TBG Different: The Decade Advantage

1. Founder as Chief Test Rider

When you buy TBG, you're getting gear designed and tested by someone who:

• Has 10+ years of track riding experience
• Has raced competitively at national level
• Has organized 4 years of track days (understanding all rider levels)
• Has crashed and walked away thanks to proper gear

2. Direct Feedback Loop

Unlike companies that design in isolation, TBG has a direct line to riders:

• I still handle customer queries personally
• Every track day is a product testing session
• Customer crash feedback goes directly into product improvements

3. Transparent Design Process

We believe riders should know why gear is designed a certain way:

• Behind-the-scenes: TBG Wanderer design decisions
• Regular updates on material choices and safety features
• Honest explanations of trade-offs (ventilation vs protection, etc.)

4. The Only Designer with Track Credentials

Here's the reality: I'm probably the only person in India designing motorcycle racing gear who actually races motorcycles. This means:

• No theoretical design - everything is proven on track
• Understanding of how gear performs under extreme conditions
• Knowledge of what actually causes injuries in crashes

5. Trusted by Industry Leaders

While we don't do much marketing, our work speaks for itself. Major motorcycle companies trust TBG for their most critical needs:

• TVS Racing - Official gear supplied for National Championship
• Honda Racing - Protection for their competitive riders
• Yamaha - Gear for their road riding
• Ather Energy - Using our gear for vehicle testing and safety
• River - Protection for their testing and development teams
• Indian Army - for stunts during Independence Day & Republic Day
• any many more...

Why OEMs choose TBG: When companies are testing new vehicles or preparing for races, they can't afford gear failures. They choose TBG because our gear has been proven in real crashes over a decade.

The TBG Philosophy: We Talk Less, Do More

Action Over Words

At TBG, we believe in doing rather than talking. While others spend on marketing, we invest in:

• Better materials (SAS-TEC, Knox SPS, SuperFabric®)
• More testing (10,000+ track hours and counting)
• Direct rider feedback (every crash teaches us something)

This is why you won't see flashy ads or influencer campaigns from us. Our marketing budget goes into making better gear, not talking about it.

The Proof: Trusted by Industry Leaders

Our "do more, talk less" approach has earned us the trust of major motorcycle industry players:

Racing Teams & OEMs:

• TVS Racing - Official gear for National Championship
• Honda Racing - Trusted protection for their riders
• Yamaha - Gear for their racing programs

Electric Vehicle Manufacturers:

• Ather Energy - Using TBG gear for vehicle testing and rider safety
• River - Protection for their testing and development teams

Why Industry Leaders Choose TBG:

1. Proven Track Record - 10+ years of crash data doesn't lie
2. Indian Conditions Expertise - Gear that works in real Indian weather and roads
3. No Compromise Safety - When lives are at stake, only the best protection matters

The Sashanka Sekhar Endorsement

Professional racer Sashanka Sekhar put it perfectly in his Instagram post about TBG:
"The quality of the leather is at par with Dainese and Alpinestar. At the same time, we get Sas-Tec level two armors everywhere... this suit is compatible with [Alpinestars Tech 7] airbag. So that makes this my favorite choice... it is one of the cheapest suits in the Indian market and very good quality."

This endorsement from a professional racer sums up our approach: Substance over style, protection over promotion.

The TBG Promise: Substance Over Style

At TBG, we believe in letting our gear do the talking. When you choose TBG, you're getting:

1. Gear designed by a racer - not a marketing team
2. 10 years of real crash testing - not lab simulations
3. Direct access to the founder - not a customer service script
4. Industry-proven protection - trusted by TVS, Honda, Yamaha, Ather, River
5. The confidence that comes from gear that's been proven when lives were on the line

Our philosophy is simple: We'd rather invest in better armor than better ads. We'd rather crash-test our gear than pay influencers to wear it. We'd rather have one rider walk away from a crash than a thousand likes on social media.

Join Our Journey

When you choose TBG, you're not just buying gear. You're supporting:

• A mission to make riding safer for everyone
• A philosophy that values protection over profit
• A community of riders who look out for each other
• A dream that started on a track and continues to grow

Connect With Me Directly:

Have questions about gear? Need sizing advice? Want to share your riding story?
Please reach out to us.

---

Ride Safe. Ride Protected. Ride TBG.

Sukesh Ashok Kumar
Founder, The Breed Gear
Racer | Engineer | Safety Advocate

---

P.S. Still have my Microsoft badge. It reminds me that sometimes, the biggest risks lead to the most meaningful rewards.