Petronas FP-1: Malaysia First Superbike

         This time we talk about mystery story, is not a mystery but the mystery of a haunted ghost in the local motoring world. This is a story about Malaysia's first superbike named Petronas FP-1. If you follow the development of the local motorcycle world, will remember the superbike in the global arena.

      The story begins 13 years ago, around the year 2003 in which Petronas engaging with a special project together with the Sauber Petronas Engineering to participate in MotoGP. But eventually they decided to join the WSBK Superbike World Championship games. This era was a golden age in which Proton is also working with Kenny Roberts at Proton Team KR team.

          Among the conditions set by the organizers of WSBK is, Petronas must produce at least 150 units of FP-1 for markets. As a result, the first Malaysia Superbike was born. The Petronas FP-1.

          Petronas Team to WSBK is known by the name of Foggy Petronas Racing takes its name from the British WSBK champion 4 times, Carl Fogarty. This cooperation is essential to commercialize technology that F1 is on this motorcycle. Among the riders ever rode this bike is Troy Corser, Chris Walker, James Haydon, Garry McCoy, Craig Jones and Steve Martin. However, this team only managed to finish on the podium as much as 3 times.

            When Petronas decided to join the WSBK, Sauber did not agree and had to withdraw because of a lack of interest in WSBK. Petronas then collaborate with Suter Racing Technology, which has a long history in the championship Grand Prix to develop the FP-1 engine. Engineering firms from the UK, MSX International has been selected to produce a street version of the model

          Now, why this motorcycle is less prominent in WSBK? One reason is that during this motorcycle engine developed maximum capacity set for the motorcycle 900cc 3 cylinders. FP-1 is produced with a 899cc engine. However when it debuted in 2003, a new law allowing the FIA ​​capacity of up to 1000cc. So FP-1 short 100cc compared to other machinery. It does not seem fair! 

(Sexy ass~)

                Its production is also much delayed due to various problems. But the announcement was made in 2005 on the inclusion of these motorcycles on the market. 75 units manufactured in the UK to market there and they are installed in 75 Modenas factory in Gurun, Kedah for the local market. Do not mess with the ability Modenas. .

          Then problems arose again when the FP-1 does not have a distributor network for sales. In Malaysia there is only one single distributor, Naza Bikers Dream. As of now, the news FP-1 seemed to sink in the mass media.

The question is WHERE are these bikes now?

           In 2010, the MCN (Motorcycle News UK) has found 60 units of FP-1 in a warehouse in Essex. It said in 2012, motorcycles UK is owned by Ark RnD but then a total of 129 units have been sold to a Malaysian company named Momoto.

(The street legal FP-1 from Momoto)

          Later, Momoto given a re-branding and known as MM1. The vehicle was launched in style, not too long ago and it is quite encouraging news between us. Nevertheless, the project was delayed again when landing taxes and customs duties all outstanding motorcycle. All units have been seized by the authorities. Momoto has filed suit against Petronas, a total RM83 million and to date there has been no resolution.

           Meanwhile, experts thought the motorcycle was kept longer, the higher its value will rise. It is estimated that if the price is now successfully marketed is around 20,000 to 25,000 pounds sterling. In the RM was not expensive (SARCASTIC), about RM150,000 for a motorcycle output in 2005. Which is more expesive compared to Ducati R, ZX10R and R1.

Petronas FP-1 is now just another memory~ RIP