Horex reveals performance figures for Horex VR6

Reborn German manufacturer Horex has revealed the all-new 1200cc VR6 six-cylinder engine being developed for a new roadster will have 161bhp and a thumping 100ft lb of torque.

The bike and engine are now in the final stages of testing with production scheduled for Spring 2012 after the firm took the decision to launch the non-supercharged version of the bike before the more expensive and higher-power bike.

The Horex VR6 is not about outright performance; the firm wanted to develop a smooth yet powerful engine more suitable to the naked roadster style of the bike.
Horex CEO Clemens Neese said: “The testing was aimed at determining the final engine control settings for homologation. The performance results for our naturally aspirated VR6 engine are definitely impressive.”

“Our goal was to achieve an engine profile that delivers plenty of torque slightly above idle and then dynamically increases up to the maximum torque output. And we clearly achieved this objective.”

The six-cylinder engine delivers 66 ft lb or torque at 2000 rpm. This increases to 74 Nm at 3500 rpm. The performance figures in the lower engine speed range are topped by a maximum 100 ft lb of torque at a moderate 7000 rpm.

“Similar to the torque curve, the new Horex power curve unfolds with 161 hp at 9000 rpm. We intentionally kept the engine speed low to take full advantage of the VR6 engine design,” Neese explains. “These are ideal conditions for a powerful, smooth riding experience on the new Horex Roadster.”

Solid graphite chain lube system

As well as the narrow angle VR6 engine the Horex has another interesting innovation in the form of a chain-drive with a graphite-based solid lubricant system.

The graphite system has been built by Schunk Group in Germany and is a first on a production bike with benefits of constant lubrication and also less mess than traditional spray-on chain lube.

Horex chief engineer Robert Rieder said: “Our goal in developing the driveline was to combine riding comfort with stability and excellent front-to-back ratio, along with low maintenance.

“A chain drive with a graphite-based solid lubricant system is the best possible solution.”

Developed by specialists at Schunk Group, the system continuously lubricates the chain with a thin film of graphite. This coating sticks to the chain links and provides protection, but can’t be thrown off by centrifugal force. This is a key advantage because, unlike conventional systems, a solid lubricant helps keep the bike clean. The perfectly lubricated chain also deposits a protective layer of graphite on the sprockets. This not only reduces wear on the chain and driveline, it significantly extends maintenance intervals for the final drive assembly.