HOREX Columbus 500 (1988-1988) Specs, Performance & Photos

Horex was a German motorcycle manufacturer founded by Fritz Kleemann in Bad Homburg Vor der Hohe, Hesse, in 1923. From 1935 to the mid-1950s, the company operated under the Horex Columbus Werk K.G. and then as Horex-Werke KG.

The Horex company manufactured motorcycles powered by Columbus engines. In 1925, the two companies merged, and Horex manufactured motorcycles with single-cylinder engine displacements ranging between 250 and 600cc.

In 1988, the German motorcycle manufacturer released the Horex Columbus 500, a naked motorcycle powered by a 500cc single-cylinder engine. The bike had a center stand mounted on the rear axle.

Visually, the motorcycle was characterized by features such as a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a single seat with a bicycle-looking luggage rack on the rear, a single exhaust system with a silencer mounted on the right-hand side, and wire-spoke wheels covered by steel fenders.

In the performance department, the 1988 Horex Columbus 500 had installed a 494cc four-stroke single-cylinder air-cooled engine under the fuel tank. It was fed by a single carburetor and delivered 27 hp with maximum strength at 7,000 rpm. It was assisted by a five-speed transmission and a final chain drive.

As for the braking power, the bike's wire-spoke wheels were fitted with drum braking units both front and rear, providing optimum stopping power.