In early 1937 Victoria introduced two new machines, the 200cc KR20 and the KR25, a 250. The engines were designed by Richard Küchen
The first of the KR25 series, the KR 25 S, had improved front suspension, and had the options of high exhaust and foot gearshift. Some 28,000 of these were built before civilian production ceased in 1940, and a military version was then delivered to the Wehrmacht.
Production resumed in 1949 with the KR 25 Aero which was very similar to the earlier version, with the same front fork and left-hand foot gearchange, with tank-mounted gearshift as an option, and shortly telescopic forks were fitted. A new engine designed by Albert Röder was fitted - this was due to the primary patent (Schnürle system) for the pre-war model having been acquired by DKW.
KR 25 HM
In late 1951 the KR 25 HM was released, with numerous modifications to both the engine and chassis. Performance was considerably improved (HM = Hochleistungs-Motor, High Performance Engine), carburettor size was up from 22mm to 24mm, crankshaft journal diameters were increased and the flywheels were lighter. It delivered 10.5 h.p. at 4700 rpm, achieving 100 km/h and 3.3 litres per 100km solo.
Whilst the frame remained basically the same, the tapered roller bearings in the wheels were replaced with ball bearings, tyres were 3.25 x 19", and full-width drum brakes were introduced in 1952 - although the change was cosmetic only, as the internal dimensions remained the same. The telescopic forks were improved, and Jurisch rear suspension was an optional extra, as was hand-change gearshift.
The mudguards had a more curvaceous profile, the tank was given a round Victoria badge, and fuel capacity was 12.5 litres. Weight was 133 kg.
For the 1952 season, two colour schemes were offered - the standard blue-grey, and black. (Red models are said to have been available for the export market.) The muffler was shown in the catalogue as chrome-plated, replacing the previous model's black silencer, but it appears the change did not occur on the production machines. Rims were chrome-plated, with the central channel painted to match the chosen colour scheme. Jurisch suspension became standard fitment.
The HM was campaigned extensively in competition throughout Europe by riders Walfried Winkler, Rudi Ebert, and Georg Dotterweich of 50cc World Record fame.
Sources: victoria-ig.de, kr26.de
