This in from the always-interesting kneeslider.
by Paul Crowe – “The Kneeslider” on 15/06/2010
Horex, a very old German motorcycle manufacturer, is returning and introducing an all new motorcycle, the Horex VR6. If you like engines with interesting designs, you’ll love this bike. The VR6 engine, is a 15 degree V6 triple overhead cam, with 3 valves per cylinder and a crankshaft driven variable ratio supercharger. Power output is said to be 175 to 200 horsepower, probably dependent on the amount of supercharging. The width of the cylinder head cover is just under 17 inches, that’s across both banks of cylinders! The 15 degree configuration makes for a very narrow V. The power of a 6 in an engine almost the size of an inline 3, very nice.
The valves are operated by three parallel camshafts mounted in the head. The center camshaft operates the exhaust valves in the rear cylinder bank as well as the intake valves in the front row of cylinders. The Horex TOHC (Triple Overhead Camshaft) concept is absolutely unique in modern motorcycle engineering.
Intake air flows through the frame:
The symmetrical port configuration between the cylinder banks positions all six intake ports in straight, parallel rows. Air is supplied through an air box centrally mounted above the engine. The air flows through a supercharger located behind the cylinder banks via special channels integrated into the bridge frame of the new Horex. This efficient and aesthetically compelling solution requires no additional airflow elements. The precisely controlled charge air is regulated by a central throttle on the airbox input. This eliminates the need for the complicated and troublesome synchronization of six separate air intakes.
The frame is aluminum with a steel steering head and 50mm upside down forks. The belt driven rear wheel is mounted on a single sided swingarm.
Weight is 526 pounds (239kgs). Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km / h (155 mph).
The company is all new but takes on the legendary name:
For the new VR bike project, Horex was the one and only brand seriously considered by Clemens Neese and his business partner Frank Fischer. From 1923 to 1956, the former Horex Automotive AG, a company based in Bad Homburg, Germany, introduced spectacular, high-performance motorcycles to the market, including the legendary models Regina and Imperator. The brand name changed hands several times after 1960. Compact-Bike Entwicklungs GmbH, the company founded by Neese and Fischer, negotiated for several years to secure the trademark rights. They signed a purchase option in 2007 and took over the Horex name and logo in 2009. “Horex is still today a very attractive, charismatic brand,” says Neese. “From the very beginning, the
company’s founder, Fritz Kleemann, focused on intelligent drive concepts and built innovative, premium-quality bikes. This tradition matches our vision of the new Horex motorcycle perfectly – like the final piece of a puzzle. And we are committed to upholding the Horex legacy.”
The Horex will be manufactured in Germany and will go on sale in late 2011 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, expanding within Europe in 2012 and in following years will gradually extend to the USA and Japan. Horex is currently setting up their dealer network. The brand is going to be in the “premium” segment of the market. No price was mentioned.
Horex VR6 – 1200cc 15 degree V6 engine layout
Link: Horex
