Modenas Kriss series

Modenas Kriss series
Production 1996-present
Predecessor none
Successor Modenas Kristar
Modenas CT series
Modenas Ace 115
Class Underbone
Engine 100-120cc SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke air-cooled
Power 7.3 kW (9.9 PS) @ 8,500 rpm (120 cc model)[1]
6.6 kW (9.0 PS) @ 8,500 rpm (110 cc model)[2]
5.0 kW (6.8 PS) @ 7,500 rpm (100 cc model)[3]
Torque 9.1 N·m (6.7 lb·ft) @ 4,500 rpm (120 cc model)[1]
9.3 N·m (6.9 lb·ft) @ 4,000 rpm (110 cc model)[2]
6.7 N·m (4.9 lb·ft) @ 5,500 rpm (100 cc model)[3]
Transmission 4-speed
Suspension Front: Telescopic fork
Rear: Swingarm
Brakes Front: Disc (110 and 120 cc models only); drum (all models)
Rear: Drum
Fuel capacity 4.3 l
Related Modenas CT110 / CT100

The Modenas Kriss series is the debut 4-stroke underbone motorcycle series by Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer, Modenas. The original Kriss 110 was developed through a partnership with Kawasaki, which partly owned Modenas, based on Kawasaki Kazer 110 underbone model. The Kriss is actually named after a Malay traditional weapon, kris, though some motorcycle shops in the United Kingdom had mistakenly advertised the model to be named from the acronym of a famous American motorcycle racer, Kenny Roberts because Modenas had once built some racing motorcycles for Modenas KR Motorcycle Grand Prix team.

It was previewed to the public during Malaysian National Day parade in 1996 and began production at the end of 1996. Since its debut in December 1996 for the original 110 cc model with drum brakes, the Modenas Kriss became one of the most popular 4-stroke underbone motorcycle in Malaysia, attaining a peak of over 50% of the Malaysian 4-stroke underbone market in 2000 and 2001.[4]

The Kriss series has spawned several variants, including the front disc brake model in 1999, the 100 cc model in 2004, and the 120 cc model in 2007.

Model history

The Modenas Kriss 110 was launched in May 1996. It was previewed to public during the Hari Merdeka celebration in 1996 before the production officially started in December. It was built based on Kawasaki Kazer AN110 underbone motorcycle but with a slightly different styling. The Kriss also uses the same Kawasaki AN110 engine as the Kazer.

Since 1997, the Kriss became one of the most popular 4-stroke underbone in Malaysia, with about 99,800 units (or 46% of the Malaysian 4-stroke underbone market segment) being sold during its debut year.[4] The success of the Kriss was contributed by several factors such as affordability, performance, reliability, spare parts availability, and very good fuel economy.[5] Due to the success of the Kriss 110, the Kriss series has spawned several variants, including the front disc brake model in 1999, the 100 cc model in 2004, and the 120 cc model in 2007. A lower-cost 110 cc variant known as Kriss SG was also produced in 2002 but being phased out later due to unappealing design.

In 2000, the AN110 engine was retuned to increase its power rating from 7.5 PS (5.5 kW) in the original Kriss to 9.0 PS (6.6 kW). The fuel consumption of the Kriss 110 is very good, clocking 44 km/L (100 mpg-US) at the constant speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).[2]

The Kriss was facelifted in 2003, featuring the newer lights, newer graphics and full colour body panels. In 2007, the second-generation Kriss was launched.[6] The second-generation Kriss uses a new 120 cc engine which is essentially a rebored AN110 engine, with a revised camshaft profile being dubbed as MAC-S (Modenas Advanced Camshaft System). [1]

There are two attempts by Modenas to introduce a legitimate successor of the Kriss. The first attempt was the Modenas Kristar which was launched in 2004 but the production ended in 2006 due to lack of appeal. It was only in 2009 that Modenas had finally launched the legitimate successor of the Kriss series, known as the Modenas CT series,[5] with the 100 and 110 cc engines being derived from the Kriss series. As a result, the Kriss 100 and Kriss 110 were being phased out to make way for the CT series, leaving the Kriss 120 as the only Kriss variant being sold.

In 2012, the Kriss family lineup was revised once again, by reinstating the 100 cc variant currently known as the Kriss MR1 (MR1 stands for "Motosikal Rakyat 1Malaysia" or 1Malaysia People's Motorcycle), launched in December 2011,[7] while the 120 cc variant was phased out to make way for the Ace 115.[8]

Export market

The Modenas Kriss was first being exported in 1997, with Cambodia and Greece became the earliest export market.[4] Soon, the Kriss series were also being made available in other countries such as South Africa, Iran, Vietnam, Turkey, Argentina, Malta and Brunei. In Cambodia, Iran and Vietnam, the Kriss is sold as CKD models. The Kriss is also available in the United Kingdom as well.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Official Modenas Kriss 120 brochure - from Modenas official website.
  2. 1 2 3 Official Modenas Kriss 110SE brochure - from Modenas official website.
  3. 1 2 Official Modenas Kriss 100 brochure - from Modenas official website.
  4. 1 2 3 "Modenas mahu teroka pasaran luar negara". Utusan Malaysia. 1 February 2001. Retrieved 15 October 2011. (Malay)
  5. 1 2 "Modenas CT110 Ganti Kriss". Roda-Roda (Bayu Enterprise) (December 2009): 12. 2009. ISSN 0127-9149. (Malay)
  6. ↑ "Modenas sasar jual 7,000 Kriss sebulan". Utusan Malaysia. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2011. (Malay)
  7. ↑ "Modenas perkenal motosikal untuk rakyat – Modenas Kriss MR1". Arena Kereta. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2012. (Malay)
  8. ↑ "Motosikal terbaru Modenas Ace 115 dilancarkan, harga RM4,598.00". Arena Kereta. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012. (Malay)

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, August 18, 2013. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.