2012 Horex VR6 Roadster Undergoes Final Tests

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Horex is putting its new VR6 Roadster through its final paces as it prepares for homologation and series production.

As Horex draws closer to its launch target of spring 2012, the revived German brand has begun measuring its VR6 Roadster‘s final parameters. These figures will be part of the final set of data to be submitted for homologation.

According to Horex, the VR6 engine maxes out at 99.6 ft-lb. of torque at 7000 rpm, and is able to deliver about 66.4 ft-lb. at just 2000 rpm and 73.8 ft-lb. at 3500 rpm. The high torque at low engine speeds should provide for easy acceleration for the VR6 Roadster.

“Our goal was to achieve an engine profile that delivers plenty of torque slightly above idle and then dynamically increases on a continuum up to the maximum torque output. And we clearly achieved this objective,” says Clemens Neese, chief executive officer of Horex.

Horex claims a peak power output of 161 metric hp (158.8 hp) at 9000 rpm from the base version of the VR6 Roadster. Final weight is still to be determined but Horex says the Roadster should weigh in about 550 pounds. Horex also claims an electronically-limited top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).

“Similar to the torque curve, the new Horex power curve unfolds with 161 hp / 118 kW at 9,000 rpm. We intentionally kept the engine speed low to take full advantage of the VR6 engine design,” says Neese. “These are ideal conditions for a powerful, smooth riding experience on the new Horex Roadster.”

Still to come are final numbers for the supercharged version of the VR6 Roadster which was delayed until late 2012. Horex touts a power output over 190 hp from the supercharged model.

When we last heard from Horex, the company announced it switched from a belt drive system to chain drive. Horex now says the VR6 will be he first production motorcycle with its chain lubricated by a graphite-based solid lubricant developed by Schunk Group in Germany.

The system continuously applies a thin film of graphite to the chain which also deposits graphite on the sprockets. Horex claims the solid lubricant is cleaner than traditional chain lubricants and cannot be thrown off by centrifugal force.

“Our goal in developing the driveline was to combine riding comfort, i.e. stability and excellent front-to-back ratio, with low maintenance,” says Robert Rieder, Horex chief engineer. “A chain drive with a graphite-based solid lubricant system is the best possible solution.”

[Source: Horex]

Related Reading
Horex VR6 Roadster Delayed to Spring 2012, Supercharged Version Even Later
Horex VR6 Roadster Begins Road Testing
INTERMOT 2010: Horex VR6 Roadster

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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