Raw power for carbon special
Horex unveil exclusive Raw99 edition of striking V6 naked
Horex will be celebrating their centenary next year and are marking the occasion with a new carbon-clad version of their brutish VR6 musclebike.
The VR6 Raw99 builds on the technology already found in the three existing VR6 models: the Raw, the Classic and the Café Racer.
In keeping with the German brand’s USP, the 99 will be powered by an unusual V6, which produces 162bhp and features a counter-rotating crank (helping the bike to turn by reducing the gyroscopic effect of the engine). Arranged in a 15-degree V, the 1218cc unit is just 43cm wide.
With three camshafts and a total of 18 valves - three per cylinder - the VR6 Raw produces 94.5lb.ft of torque driven though a six-speed gearbox to a forged, five-spoke aluminium rear wheel. Both rims are booted with a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres.
Despite hitting the scales at 216kg dry, the Raw99 is actually 5kg lighter than the standard Raw, thanks to the use of an array of special carbon fibre components.
This includes the rear subframe, front and rear fenders, chainguard, instrument cover, headlight housing and footpeg mounts. The steering head is also finished in a carbon fibrereinforced polymer.
Although far from a lightweight, it still measures favourably against rivals such as the 223kg (dry) 1262cc Ducati Diavel 1260 muscle cruiser but loses out to sportier big capacity nakeds like KTM’s 177bhp 1290 Super Duke R, which is 20kg lighter.
Away from the motor, the Raw99 makes use of a singlesided swingarm with a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock. Front-end duties are taken care of by 43mm upsidedown Öhlins forks.
With the bike limited to 99 units, Horex aim to deliver the first examples next March at a price of €49,500. Order books are open now, with more details available at horex.com