HOLY DAMN! How in the world would I miss my own thread? I submitted this one long time ago, and then I thought maybe this particular sub-forum will be open to selected ones, and hence forgot all about it. How coud I miss all the replies so far!

Extremely sorry for not updating about next installment. Doing so right now.

Let the mile crunching begin!

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Thanks for the appreciation friends, I hope this next installation too would be read and criticized similarly!

Absolutely. As someone said before, this is for the starters who have no safety gears at all, and aren't keen to invest too much at the first time.

I agree. Though in Mumbai - Pune tour, there ratio of total kms in tunnel vs open roads is too skewed. My method is either the one suggested by Satyen, or to follow a tail lamp of another vehicle, flip on the headlamp and track the center line. Besides praying to God to let the tunnel end quickly!

I tried leather jacket and I was very uncomfortable. But then I am little sensitive to heat Mileage may vary. Though I will recommend perforated leather over full leather jacket. Perforated leather jacket will have small holes on the surface to allow breathing. Besides a mesh jacket is useable throughout the year, through rains and heat and all.

Trust me, it is not worth the experiment. I tried a lot of things before deciding that when I want to use something on high speed, that thing better be tested by experts and used by many others rather than me being its first guinea pig.

Could you post a link/photo or atleast model number of your white glass goggle? The model number can be found at the inside of the frame's side bars (What are they called??)

Let the discussion continue!

Good Job Bro!

A nice and informative thread you've got here.

Thanks a lot for the information, it really helped!

It'll surely help all the 'upcoming' bikers!

great thread bro. I agree, some basic gear is better than nothing at all.

@newguy - as animeher said, pls post a pic/model number of the white glass goggles. I'm looking for something similar too.

I'm going to disagree on several of your points:

One, while if you can only afford one shield for your helmet, the clear one is the one to get, getting a tinted shield as well is a better option than tinted glasses. With a clear shield, and sunglasses, you're at a disadvantage if the lighting changes temporarily, such as in a tunnel. With a tinted shield, you can flip it up easily, then back down later. When night falls, it should be a matter of a couple of minutes to swap over to the clear shield.

Two, you are wrong about yellow lens sunglasses. Yellow is the highest-contrast color for humans. Most "yellow" sunglasses are more of a yellowish-brown, and will dramatically improve color contrast, as well as filtering out blue wavelengths, which are the least clear to human eyes. However, even pure yellow shooters glasses will help clear things up. Black/grey tinted lenses often use blue as part of the tint, which will decrease contrast.

Three, while jean jackets look cool, they really aren't any better than an ordinary shirt. Yes, they add another layer, and one of comparatively thick cloth. However, as you implied, they are fashion, not protection. In a true crash, they'll run through in seconds, leaving your fragile anatomy fully exposed. Just recall how easily you went through the knees of your jeans when you were a kid, and you'll realize that jean jackets aren't worth the money. You don't need to buy an Alpinestar jacket, but do buy something meant for motorcycling. As a corollary, as pointed out elsewhere, don't just buy a random leather jacket either, because if it gets really hot, you won't wear it.

Issue discussed above. In a 150 kms journey, how many kms of tunnels does one encounter? If you can carry two shields with you, then great, else if you are keen on tinted visors, develop a taste for night bugs!

I am not well versed with contrast part of colors, so you can be right theoritically. But yellow/brownish glasses do hamper your viewing of signals! The yellow and the red signal looks same, the colors of nature surrounding you is in sepia tone. I have used both, and loved the black ones best.

True crash will require true gear, which is explained in part II. Jeans jacket is not suggested for experienced bikers gaining good speeds and riding good distances. It is for beginners, who are testing waters whether biking is their thing. I have taken my shares of falls in a jeans jacket, and I disagree it is not better than a shirt.

Anyways, thanks for reading!

Just a small clarification. Its not a 'jeans jacket'. Its a denim jacket. Denim pants are called jeans. So a jeans jacket is not the correct term.

But I do agree that a denim jacket is better than a tshirt, coupled with elbow guards and gloves, your upper body is fairly safe for slow city speed crashes.

Oops, blame it on my Indianized english! Yes, it is denim - not jeans - jacket.

Thanks for this excellent article... I am just starting my gears collection... This helps a lot...

version 2 was even better.good thing is that you got me thinking about safety even more.

Basic Kit should be

Riding gloves
Knee and ankle guard
Good riding shoes

sivigshankar & sayank10: Thanks Glad you are finding it to your use.

Hackdrag: Doubt whether it is available in India, but you can always order from ebay.com.

A very helping article!

Thanks bro, your article has been very helpful in my case.

Started with my dad's leather jacket (semi thick, some 15 years old... )
Then, bought road side gloves.

A month later, ordered knee guards and elbow guards from ebay. Both combined, set me back by 750, including shipping. (Fox riding gear.)

Link - BIKING ELBOW & KNEE GUARD- SET OF 4 PCS-FOX RIDING GEAR | eBay

Then, in Jan '12, gifted myself an Alpinestars (Planet DSG).
A week later, got myself pro biker gloves (ebay)

Cost me 500, but now prices have been slashed.

Link - Biking / Bike Pro-Biker Riding Gloves ,Red,Size -XL | eBay

I have 2 helmets, one Studds Ninja (open face type) and a Steelbird (full face type). I must admit that the Steelbird is a superb prodct. It has great layer of protection, air vents and packs your face beautifully.
I got the full face helmet from Honda dealers for 1500 INR.

Now, I'm looking for touring boots. Planning a >1000 km trip.... Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.
Happy riding!

you can try military boots for touring,they are cheap,durable and safe.