Modenas
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Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd (National Motorcycle and Engine Company), or known as Modenas for short is a Malaysian national motorcycle company producing various small motorcycle models below 200cc targeted for local market and export. The company's headquarters and factory are located at the small town of Gurun, Kedah, Malaysia.
The history of the company began at the early 1990's. After the success of Malaysian automotive manufacturer Proton, the government looked forward to launch a national motorcycle project. Modenas was formed in 1995 and majority of its shares were held by Kawasaki, Sojitz, Khazanah Nasional and DRB-HICOM.
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[edit] Models
Generally, Modenas produces motorcycle models ranging below 250 cc. Most models are scooter models and Honda Supercub compatible mopeds, or known by Malaysians as kapchai.
[edit] Kriss 110 series
- Max power: 9.0 PS (6.6 kW) @ 8,500 rpm
- Max torque: 9.3 N·m (0.95 kgf·m) @ 4,000 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 111 cc
- Bore x stroke: 53 x 50.6 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.0:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 4.3 L
- Dry weight: About 100 kg
- Transmission: 4 speed with automatic centrifugal clutch
- Max speed: about 120 km/h
Modenas Kriss is the first model launched by Modenas in 1996. It was previewed to the public during Malaysian National Day parade in 1996 and began production at the end of 1996. The original model only uses drum brakes, but in 1999 the front disc brake model was launched, known as Kriss 2 (or Kriss 115 Sports in some countries). Powered by 111-cc Kawasaki-developed engines, Modenas Kriss becomes the best-selling motorcycle model in Malaysia.
Another Kriss variant known as Kriss SG was launched in 2002. However, unlike other Kriss variants, this model didn't sell very well due to its outdated design.
All Kriss series variants outcame major cosmetic changes in 2003 especially at the lights for newer, better looks.
In 2005, all Kriss 110 variants have been phased out to make way for production of Kristar, leaving only Kriss 100 as the sole variant of Kriss. However, Modenas decided to bring back the Kriss 110 into production in August 2006 due to extremely high demand from the customers, which is known as Kriss 110SE.
[edit] Kriss 110 SE
- Max power: 9.0 PS (6.6 kW) @ 8,500 rpm
- Max torque: 9.3 N·m (0.95 kgf·m) @ 4,000 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 111 cc
- Bore x stroke: 53 x 50.6 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.0:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 4.3 L
- Dry weight: 96 kg
- Transmission: 4 speed with automatic centrifugal clutch
- Max speed: about 135 km/h
This is the Modenas Newest Kriss Motorcycle. Since Kriss is the most good selling motorcycle in Malaysia (rather than Kristar), Modenas decided to bring Kriss back and called them Kriss 110 SE (Second Edition).
[edit] Kriss 100
After the success of Kriss variants to dominate 110 cc small motorcycle segment in Malaysian market, Modenas launched another Kriss variant, this time with a 97 cc engine developed by Modenas. This model uses the same chassis and components as its other Kriss 'brothers' except the engine. However, there's no disc brake option available for Kriss 100.
[edit] Jaguh 175
- Max power: 16 PS (11.8 kW) @ 8,500 rpm
- Max torque: 13.7 N·m (1.4 kgf·m) @ 7,500 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 174 cc
- Bore x stroke: 65 x 52.4 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.0:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 14 L
- Dry weight: 132 kg
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Max speed: About 130 ~ 140 km/h
In 1999, Modenas built a small cruiser model based on popular Kawasaki Vulcan cruiser series. The model is aimed for bikers who wish to own large American cruiser motorcycles but cannot afford to own them due to very high taxes on imported motorcycles placed by the government and also due to refusal of the banks to finance loans on large motorcycles.
[edit] Karisma 125
- Max power: 6.8 kW @ 8,500 rpm
- Max torque: 9.3 N·m (0.95 kgf·m) @ 7,500 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 124.9 cc
- Bore x stroke: 51.5 x 60 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.2:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 7.5 L
- Dry weight: 105 kg
- Transmission: CVT
- Max speed: About 110 km/h
During these recent years, more and more scooter models were introduced in Malaysia. However, Kawasaki never produce any scooters, therefore Modenas had to source from a Taiwanese scooter company for the technology transfer. However, Modenas had to improve the quality of the scooter by itself due to poor quality of Taiwan-made scooters.
The earliest production batches suffered poor handling, and after some improvements the handling of this model became better and Modenas Karisma dominmates the Malaysian scooter market since 2004.
[edit] Elit
On August 2003, Modenas launched three models at once in order to face the fierce competition of Malaysian scooter market with imported cheap models from China and Taiwan, where most of Chinese and Taiwanese motorcycles and scooters suffer poor quality and reliability.
Modenas Elit scooter was launched as an alternative to Karisma model, comes with two displacement choices - 125 cc model and the larger, more powerful 150 cc model.
[edit] Ceria
- Max power: 5.5 kW @ 7,750 rpm
- Max torque: 7.38 N·m @ 6,500 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 101 cc
- Bore x stroke: 51.5 x 48.5 mm
- Compression ratio: 10.5:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 6.7 L
- Dry weight: 98 kg
- Transmission: CVT
- Max speed: About 500 km/h
Modenas Ceria scooter was launched together with the Elit model. This scooter uses smaller 101 cc engine, making Ceria as the scooter with the smallest displacement ever built by Modenas.
[edit] Dinamik
- Max power: 12.5 kW @ 9,000 rpm
- Max torque: 14.1 N-m @ 8,000 rpm
- Engine type: 2-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 118 cc
- Bore x stroke: 54 x 51.8 mm
- Compression ratio: 7.3:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 4.6 L
- Dry weight: 98 kg
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Max speed: About 150 km/h
After years producing only 4 stroke powered motorcycles, Modenas launched its first 2-stroke motorcycle, Dinamik together with Elit and Ceria scooters. Modenas claimed that this model exceeded Euro 2 emission standards without the addition of a catalytic converter.
This model was built by Modenas as a preparation to take part in Malaysian Cub Prix tournament which are currently dominated by Yamaha. machines. During the tournament, Modenas increases the displacement up to 125 cc to provide more power and torque.
[edit] Elegan
- Max power: 13 PS (9.56 kW) @ 8,000 rpm
- Max torque: 11.7 N·m @ 6,000 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 4-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, water-cooled
- Displacement: 149.6 cc
- Bore x stroke: 57 x 58.6 mm
- Compression ratio: 11:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 8.5 L (± 0.3 L reserve)
- Dry weight: 144 kg
- Transmission: CVT
- Max speed: About 130 ~ 140 km/h
At the end of February 2004, Modenas launched their first water-cooled scooter, Modenas Elegan. This model is targeted for those who wants to travel long distances. In addition to more powerful water-cooled engine, Elegan scooter features a large gasoline tank accessible under the handlebars, large underseat storage compartment, and digital meter panel for odometer, fuel gauge and thermometer. The engine cylinder is coated with Ni-Si ceramic for better reliability during long distance travels.
[edit] Kristar
Kristar was launched by Modenas at the end of 2004. Modenas decided to produce Kristar as their all-new model after nearly a decade of Modenas Kriss production.
Even though Kristar uses the same engine as Kriss, Modenas claimed that Kristar achieved better fuel economy of 46.95 km/L @ 90 km/h, compared with Kriss with the fuel economy of 44 km/L @ 90 km/h. The increase of fuel economy is due to the installation of te fuel tank breather tube connected to the inlet manifold for better fuel emission and better fuel economy.
Besides of the new design and better fuel economy, Kristar also features an underseat compartment that can be opened from the same ignition key slot, dual headlights, stylish superbike-like muffler and rear light failure detection system which claimed by Modenas as the only model equipped with this system.
[edit] Passion
- Max power: 7.1 kW @ 7,750 rpm
- Max torque: 9.3 N·m @ 6,7850 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 124.9 cc
- Dry weight: 97 kg
- Transmission: CVT
- Max speed: About 130 km/h
Modenas Passion is the latest scooter model launched by Modenas on January 2006. Using a pair of 14-inch cast iron wheels, Modenas Passion has a direct competition with Yamaha eGo.
[edit] X-cite
- Max power: 7.18 kW @ 7,500 rpm
- Max torque: 10.7 N·m @ 5,500 rpm
- Engine type: SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled
- Displacement: 130.4 cc
- Bore x stroke: 53.0 x 59.1 mm
- Compression ratio: 10:1
- Fuel tank capacity: 3.8 L
- Dry weight: 102.5 kg
- Transmission: 4-speed rotary
- Max speed: About 145 km/h
Modenas X-cite is the latest motorcycle model launced by Modenas on 12 September 2006 as the largest kapchai model ever manufactured by Modenas to compete with the water-cooled Yamaha Y135LC.
[edit] Participation in motorcycle races
Modenas formed a factory team and supported some other teams using their machines to take part in Malaysian Cub Prix, a tournament of moped held in Malaysia to compete with Yamaha and Suzuki machines. The teams use Modenas Kriss machines for Wira category and Modenas Dinamik for Expert category.
Modenas also used to take part in Motorcycle Grand Prix via Team Modenas KR before taken over by Proton in 2001. Modenas built a 500 cc 3-cylinder 2-stroke machine for the team.
