Horex – Motorcycles From Bad Homburg Since 1923

In 1923 Fritz Kleemann and his father founded Horex-Fahrzeugbau AG in Bad Homburg. The brand name is composed of the name of the hometown (Homburg) and the trademark REX of the parental REX canning jar company. Starting with the “Gnom” auxiliary bicycle engine, Horex developed a product range over the years that included motorbikes with displacements from 250 to 800cc. The Regina model in particular was successful. “Built by motorcyclists for motorcyclists” is the company motto.

With the economic miracle in the 1950s, the motorbike industry boomed, not only for the Horex company: motorbikes were a symbol of efficiency and independence. Many manufacturers modernised their pre-war models and developed new machines. In the 1960s, the small car boom caused the motorbike industry in Europe to collapse. Many motorbike manufacturers disappeared from the market. Horex ceased to build motorbikes due to sales difficulties and closed the factory in 1960.

The Horex brand turns 100 years in 2023. In this context, we present an exhibition in cooperation with the Horex Columbus Friends. In addition to an overview of the motorbike culture of the last century, there will be insights into the company history and exciting objects. On display are, among other things, REX glass jars, an SB35 machine, the famous Regina and a Horex tin snips, which was one of the last products of the company. There are also glimpses of Werner comics, which made Horex popular again in the 1980s. Another highlight is the Regina song, which was produced in 1950 as an advertising song at the Telefunken company.

The exhibition was supported by Förderkreis Hessenpark e.V.