Did Kawasaki Just Make A Hero Splendor Clone?

Quick News Highlights

• Kawasaki Barako-III has been launched abroad

• Gets some changes to its engine & sprocketing

• Also features a redesigned console

The Hero Splendor Plus is known for its iconic boxy styling that has remained unchanged since its launch in the 90s. Turns out, there’s another bike with a similar styling, designed to be as utilitarian as the Splendor (perhaps even a step ahead), called the Kawasaki Barako-III. The updated version has been launched in the Philippines. Kawasaki has made several changes to the bike, and all of them are meaningful, enhancing its performance and utility quotient. Here’s everything you need to know

The simple, no-nonsense design along with the rectangular headlight cowl seem very similar to the Hero Splendor Plus. Even the slim fuel tank and the single-piece seat appear to have Splendor genes. 

Powering this bike is a 177cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder motor which produces 13.54PS and 13.7Nm. In the updated bike, this engine has been tuned differently for better power and torque, according to the brand. Along with this, it also gets fuel-injection for better mileage. This motorcycle is a machine of choice for transportation - either with a side-car or in hilly areas. To this end, Kawasaki has given the Barako 3 a larger rear sprocket for better torque.

The underpinnings are also designed keeping the heavy duty nature of the bike. It now gets a stronger dual-cradle frame, and is suspended on a telescopic fork and dual-shock absorbers on each side at the rear. The four shock absorbers are mounted on a tubular steel swingarm, linked to heavy-duty rims and chain drive - all designed to carry heavy loads. That’s a pretty unique setup, isn’t it? Well, not exactly as our own TVS used to sell a similar bike in India, that too with 4 shock absorbers at the rear. It was called the TVS Max 4R, a 125cc utility bike that was launched in 2010, but was discontinued a few years later. That said, it’s important to know that the Max 4R continues to be sold abroad, especially in the same country as the Barako 3. 

The Barako-III also has some new features. The main change is a redesigned twin-pod analogue instrument console, now with a cleaner look. Additionally, it gets an automatic engine cut-off, which immediately kills the engine in case of a crash. There's a hazard lamp as standard too.

The bike is offered in two variants: Kick and Electric Start. The Kick variant is priced at 96,500 Philippine Peso which is equivalent to Rs 1.46 lakh. The Electric Start variant is priced at 1,01,000 Philippine Peso or Rs 1.53 lakh. All prices are direct conversions based on exchange rates at the time of writing. 

Summing up, the Barako might look simple, but is a capable utilitarian bike, especially with all the crucial updates the latest-gen version gets.