I STILL remember my first ride on the then-new Modenas Kriss 110; thinking here was a smooth performer that felt heavy and solid on its wheels, almost like a full-size motorcycle.
It mattered not that Kawasaki had a lot of input into building the Kriss; what mattered most was that this was a Malaysian motorcycle.
Modenas, or Motorsikal dan Enjin Nasional, was formed on Aug 8, 1995, and it has survived many trials and tribulations to become truly a survivor.
It has sold nearly 1.6 million motorcycles and scooters in the intervening 25 years.
We recently had a tour of its factory in Gurun, Kedah to meet with the new chief executive officer Roslan Roskan and the pioneer group of staff.
Staying in the same company for 25 years is an anomaly in this day and age. What makes someone stay on for so long? During our meeting with the pioneers, it seems that the common answer is "family".
Perhaps it is the remote location or the hardships that a fledgling company had to go through, the company has created a sense of togetherness among the employees.
In the early days, the access road to the factory would sometimes be knee deep in mud after the downpour, despite being located in "Gurun" (desert) . Employees would need to be rescued while driving a car akin to a rally stage.
Still, many persevered through those early days and would go on to higher positions in the company.
Many recall fondly the hardships they had gone through and the sweet memories shared with past employees. Some also found their lifelong partner while working at the plant.
Mohd Redzuan Yahaya recalled working on the designs of the new Kriss, based on the Kawasaki Kaze ("wind" in Japanese), in the Jalan San Ah Wing office (a converted bungalow).
He would be consulted on various design changes and then had to rush back to Gurun with the drawings.
The San Ah Wing office was also where the Kriss name was decided upon, he said.
Incidentally, the very first Modenas Kriss that was assembled still takes its pride of place in the Gurun plant office.
Another lifelong employee, Lau Seat Song, keeps all his Modenas keepsakes such as brochures and newspaper cuttings safe in a box at home; even the telegram that called him home from Japan for an interview!
Nowadays, the Internet makes things much easier and the current Kriss 3, or Kriss MR3 110, is a purely CAD design. It is also Modenas' current bestseller, having sold up to 26,000 units since its introduction with 7,000 more on the order sheets.
To celebrate its silver anniversary, Modenas has introduced many new innovations such as home servicing and service promotion on many models.
Roslan said despite the challenging environment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company was looking forward to introducing many more exciting models.
These first 25 years have been arduous for Modenas but ultimately, the journey has been fulfilling.