From Garage to Glory: The Tiivra Motorcycle Gear Story

Learn how Tiivra is disrupting India’s two-wheeler market with lightweight helmets, breathable riding gear, and bold designs made for Indian conditions.

May 13, 2025 - 15:48

From Garage to Glory: The Tiivra Motorcycle Gear Story

India is home to the world’s largest two-wheeler market. For millions of Indians, motorcycles represent more than transport—they’re about freedom, identity, and speed. But while bikes evolved, riding gear didn’t. Riders were left to choose between cheap plastic helmets or imported leather gear, neither suited for India’s roads or climate.

Enter Tiivra. Founded in April 2020 by Siddharth Shetty, Alpana Parida, and Jagpreet Singh, Tiivra set out to challenge the status quo. The startup’s mission: build premium, performance-led riding gear designed specifically for Indian conditions.

The Safety Gap in India’s Two-Wheeler Market

Despite a surging motorbike culture and rising average highway speeds, safety gear in India has remained largely subpar. Riders often settle for heavy ABS plastic helmets and non-breathable leather gear, ill-equipped for Indian heat. Worse, many are unaware of safer, more advanced alternatives.

India also holds the dubious title of being one of the world’s accident capitals—a problem that makes this gap inconvenient and dangerous.

Designed for Speed, Engineered for India

Tiivra builds what it calls “performance-first gear for performance-first people.” Its helmets are made from composite fiber—the same material used in professional racing, offering 20% less weight and significantly more protection than plastic alternatives.

Their riding gear skips leather in favour of breathable, weather-adapted materials. A standout innovation is Tiivra’s cooling vest, which lowers core body temperature by 10–15°C and lasts up to eight hours—essentially air conditioning for riders.

A bold design philosophy underpins every product. Rejecting the traditional vintage aesthetic popular with Royal Enfield fans, Tiivra opts for a street-sport look: clean lines, vivid colours, and futuristic graphics. Every item is tested on Indian roads and refined for real-world use.

How Tiivra Took Shape

Tiivra began as a shared frustration among bikers with diverse professional backgrounds. Siddharth Shetty, with a background in tech and finance, led product strategy. Alpana Parida brought decades of branding expertise, having shaped many iconic Indian brands. Designer Jagpreet Singh added bold creativity to the mix.

Together, they launched Tiivra to rethink every aspect of the riding experience—not by tweaking Western templates but by starting from scratch.

Building a Brand on Speed and Substance

In just a few years, Tiivra has earned partnerships with major players including BMW Motorrad, KTM, Red Bull, and the Indian Army. Their gear is available through their website, Amazon, Zepto, and select premium retail outlets. While Tiivra is currently a premium brand, the founders plan to reduce prices as they scale.

Tiivra also thrives on exclusivity—limited-edition drops and community-driven buzz keep engagement high. Riders often share their experiences on social media, turning gear into identity and driving organic growth.

Manufacturing Challenges on the Road to Safety

Crafting composite fibre helmets in India proved an uphill task. Most factories focus on mass-producing cheaper plastic gear. Tiivra had to educate partners, develop custom production flows, and overcome scepticism, especially in low-volume early stages. Today, with aligned partners and growing demand, Tiivra is scaling its production to bring high-end safety to the masses.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

While legacy brands like SMK and LS2 rely on imported moulds and standard designs, Tiivra carves its niche through:

Composite fibre construction
Lightweight, heat-adapted gear
Distinctive, street-inspired design
Ground-up development for Indian riders

The result: a brand that feels both global in quality and local in relevance.

From the Garage to the Community

The founders credit their growth to hard-won lessons: doing the hard things, educating the market, and building trust. Convincing riders to pay for safety wasn’t easy, but authenticity, rider feedback, and quality gradually won over sceptics.

As Shetty puts it, “Don’t follow the playbook. Write your own.”

Driving Impact, Not Just Revenue

Beyond sales, Tiivra is making a cultural mark. Collaborations with Indian artists, a focus on sustainable materials, and participation in community events like India Bike Week have elevated the brand’s visibility and values. They’ve also been featured in AutoCar, Stuff, and The Week.

Perhaps most notably, their helmets have even made it onto the head of M.S. Dhoni—a testament to their growing recognition.

Riding Forward with Purpose

While Tiivra has global aspirations, its roots remain in India. The brand aims to export performance-grade, Indian-made riding gear and grow a lifestyle ecosystem that spans from helmets to streetwear.

But for now, they’re focused on solving problems close to home, with the same intensity that inspired their name: Tiivra, meaning sharp, fierce, and fast.

“Find your tribe. Serve them like your life depends on it,” says Shetty. “Niche is not small. Niche is focus. And if you're building from the margins—good. That's where the magic starts.”