OUR HISTORY
The real story is that we make sure we do everything we can for bikers today. But we’re still proud of our heritage. And because Hein Gericke happens to have more pedigree than a dog show, we thought you might be interested to read a brief outline of ‘Our Story’…
1970
Giacomo Agostini wins his seventh and eighth GP world championships and Britain’s Rodney Gould lifts the 250cc crown. It is a good year for German bikers too, with Dieter Braun racing to victory in the 125GP class and another, named Hein Gericke, beginning his very own quest to be the best when he opens his first motorcycle dealership in the city of Düsseldorf.
Before long riders from all over Germany begin making regular pilgrimages to Hein’s showroom. The next few years see his policy of offering great brands, fair prices and excellent service help Hein Gericke become the largest motorcycle dealership in the country.
1973
Britain, Germany and the Netherlands celebrate as Phil Read beats Agostini to become 500GP World Champion, Dieter Braun adds the 250GP winner’s trophy to his collection, and Jan de Vries triumphs in the sidecar class. Meanwhile, Hein Gericke expands the selection clothing and accessories available in his motorcycle showrooms.
1975
Agostini wins his 15th straight world championship in the year that Hein Gericke first introduces his own label protective motorcycle clothing.
1978
As Kenny Roberts ends Barry Sheene’s championship winning streak to become the dominant force in 500GP, Hein makes his company the first to offer a mail order service specifically for bikers.
1980
It’s another good year for German bikers. Anton Mang claims the 250GP crown, and the very first Hein Gericke catalogue is launched, split into two volumes – one for clothing and one for technical parts. 100,000 copies are immediately snapped up and a piece of biking history is made.
Hein Gericke now has stores in all of major German cities, with the focus moved away from motorcycle sales and towards motorcyclists, becoming the leading clothing and accessories specialist.
1985
Hein Gericke is at the forefront of research into textile motorcycle clothing and, under the banner of ‘The Future is Light’, launches a groundbreaking new range, offering a practical alternative to leather. And it’s a special year on the racetrack too, as Freddie Spencer’s amazing season sees him take victory in the 500 and 250cc class.
1986
As Eddie Lawson continues to display American dirt track riders’ mastery of the vicious 500cc two-strokes of the 1980s, new clothing brands are included to the Hein Gericke range. The first items to feature in the catalogue are selected items from BMW and a Pierre Cardin rainsuit
1987
German bikers have every reason to be happy as Anton Mang storms to his fifth world title and Hein launches his 40th store in their homeland. It’s also a good year for riders in other countries, as the first Hein Gericke stores outside of Germany open in Paris, Vienna and Amsterdam. The first Belgian store opens the same year, in Haasrode-Leuven.
It is also the year that Hein hands over the reigns to the company’s new owners, Eurobike AG, and officially retires from the business.
1991
Wayne Rainey is the middle of his triple world championship run, just as Hein Gericke first offers its formula of quality, choice and service to British bikers, with the opening of a store in York. The same year, Hein Gericke provides Europe’s motorcyclists with even more comfort and protection with the launch of the first incarnation of the revolutionary HIPROTEC® armour system.
1997
HIPROTEC® wins the British bike industry’s highest award – the coveted title of Motor Cycle News Product of the Year. The company goes on to win three consecutive awards for its products and service. Meanwhile Mick Doohan is looking unstoppable aboard his Honda NSR, and a young Italian by the name of Valentino Rossi is crowned 125GP Champion.
2001
There are over 80 Hein Gericke stores throughout Europe when ‘The Doctor’ becomes the last ever 500cc World Champion. And as the Rossi/Honda combination comes to the boil, Hein Gericke forms a close partnership of its own. WL Gore grants us the rights to use its outstanding GORE-TEX® membranes in its clothing and begins working closely with Hein Gericke to develop products that further improve the biking lives of our customers.
2003
Rossi takes his second four-stroke title in a row, and announces his decision to switch teams. Hein Gericke also enters an exciting new phase when it gets the backing of American company, The Fairchild Corporation.
2006
One year after the first MotoGP World Championship was held in Turkey, Hein Gericke also arrives in Istanbul. Nicky Hayden then sets about the business of winning the championship, and Hein Gericke plans a second store in the city and another in Izir, which open the following year.
2007
Casey Stoner and Ducati celebrate their first ever Grand Prix world titles, and Hein Gericke celebrates the launch of a flagship store on the Avenue de la Grande Armée – Paris’ motorcycling Mecca.
Today
Hein Gericke clothing and accessories are still available exclusively from Hein Gericke stores. As the only manufacturer who directly retails, Hein Gericke is uniquely placed to listen to its customer and cut out the middleman to offer European bikers unrivalled value, experience and expertise.
So, while we can’t predict who will triumph on the race track this year, we do know that with 143 Hein Gericke stores in nine countries, stocking the best biking brands, we aim to help every one of our customers ride like a champion.
