Horex Columbus 600 - Specifications & Review

Company History

Horex earned its first fame with the Regina singles—handsome, robust roadsters that carried Germany through the 1950s. Crisp castings, tidy frames, and composed road manners made them favorites among riders who valued manufacturing integrity. The brand later faded amid consolidation, but its name returned in the 2010s with a daring idea: a compact narrow-angle VR6 engine in a premium roadster. The architecture delivered creamy torque in a package narrower than many triples, wrapped in aluminum frames and top-shelf suspension. Production remained artisanal, with the challenges and rewards of small-series manufacturing—deep craftsmanship, careful calibration, and pricing that reflected both. For aficionados, the VR6 proved that engineering originality could still find daylight in a crowded market. Historically, Horex represents two German virtues: mid-century reliability that made motorcycles true transport, and modern technical bravado that refuses to color inside the lines. Whether a patinaed Regina or a polished VR6, a Horex feels intentional—built by people who care how a lever moves and a crank spins.