VansonRider
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 401
Hein Gericke had their jackets built overseas in various countries, but they were hand made, and each one went through an inspection process. They’re an off the rack, bulk brand, not a small shop making jackets a few at a time under one roof, so not a Johnson Leathers, or Vanson level of quality.It's an awesome design indeedseen a few Hein Gericke's out there, how are the quality of their jackets?
But they were built for riding, I trust the stitching and the leather. They made an insane amount of designs, unfortunately most of them are VERY 80’s looking. The V Pilot and the Dakar are probably the best known and top sellers. I have a couple Dakars, and it’s fantastic, and a great way to nab a belted, four pocket, leather touring coat for not too much money.
Where they can fall a little flat is the cuts of hides weren’t super choosy, and sometimes a panel can be a little spongier than I’d prefer. One of my Dakar jackets was made in Korea out of cow hide that’s a little stretchy? Like you can stretch it out in your hands (only widthways) and then it returns to shape. The makers were sure that the the stretch is all sideways in the coat so it won’t sag out of shape by stretching down. So, oddly tanned leather, but it was definitely accounted for during assembly.
But they are very functional on a bike, good venting, they also seal up tight, designed for the forward reach, and while they were made before armoring up was common, they mostly have reinforcing in the elbows and shoulders.
For me they shine the brightest as the least expensive way to get some very classic designs in an honest, really made for riding, jacket.
