Horex Werner – a name that evokes memories of a glorious past for many motorcycle enthusiasts. But who or what is behind this name? In this article, we delve into the history of Horex Werner and shed light on the significance of this name for the German motorcycle industry.
The Person Behind the Myth: Who Was Horex Werner?
Portrait of Horex Founder Fritz Kleemann
In fact, “Horex Werner” is not a single person, but a combination of the brand name “Horex” and the first name of one of its founders, Fritz Kleemann. In 1923, Kleemann founded the company in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe together with Friedrich Koch. This company would later become world-famous under the name “Horex”. The brand name itself is composed of the initial letters of the company’s location and its activity: HOmburg and REX, Latin for king.
From Bicycle Manufacturer to Motorcycle Pioneer
Initially, Horex produced motorized bicycles, but soon focused on the development and production of motorcycles. The machines from Bad Homburg were known for their reliability and performance and soon celebrated initial successes in racing. Particularly the models with single-cylinder engines made Horex one of the leading German motorcycle manufacturers in the 1930s.
The Second World War and the Restart
Like many German companies, Horex also suffered the consequences of the Second World War. Production had to be stopped, and the factory was partially destroyed. But Fritz Kleemann didn’t give up and began the reconstruction of the company in 1948.
The Heyday of the Horex Regina
The 1950s marked the heyday of Horex. With the “Horex Regina”, the company achieved a real coup. The Regina was an elegant and reliable motorcycle that quickly became a bestseller and made Horex one of Germany’s largest motorcycle manufacturers.
The End of an Era and the Rebirth
Despite the success of the Regina, Horex had to file for bankruptcy in 1960. There were several reasons for this: the German motorcycle market collapsed as more and more people decided to buy cars. Furthermore, Horex had missed the trend towards smaller and cheaper motorcycles.
However, the name Horex did not fall into oblivion. In recent decades, there have been several attempts to revive the brand. Since 2020, Horex has been back on the market with new models that aim to build on the brand’s glorious past.
Horex Werner: A Synonym for German Engineering
Even though the name “Horex Werner” is strictly speaking based on a misunderstanding, it nonetheless stands symbolically for the company’s history and the fascination emanating from the brand. Horex Werner – that is German engineering, passion for motorcycles, and the will to start anew, even after setbacks.
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