Kawasaki Barako II

The Kawasaki Barako II looks as if it belongs to an era two or three decades old, for it still has the old-school minimalist design which lacks modernity and new-age elements and features. The overall design is simple but looks like an attempt at cost-cutting, which will put many new-age buyers away from this motorcycle.

At the front, the Kawasaki Barako II has a dated-looking rectangular halogen headlamp, which is surrounded by a boxy-looking fairing adorned with contrasting decals on the sides. The lower corners of this fairing come attached with orange turn indicators, which are ovular-shaped. The front wheel also has a large and rounded fender above it, which lacks any interesting design element and seems too large for the overall size of the motorcycle.

The Kawasaki Barako II has a very simple design when viewed from the side, with the motorcycle reminding you of the models from the late 1980s. The overall design, with the slim trapezoidal fuel tank and side body panels, all of which come with contrasting decals, looks too old for a motorcycle of today’s generation but looks purposeful for the overall intent of the Kawasaki Barako II. Running on spoke wheels with tube-type tyres, the Kawasaki Barako II carries a grey theme for the engine and a blacked-out exhaust pipe which gets a grey shield over it.

Like every other basic commuter from the end years of the 20th century, the Kawasaki Barako II also looks bare-basic and too plain from the rear, with the motorcycle lacking any rear side body panels and a minimalist rear profile comprising of a squarish halogen tail lamp. The very basic-looking rear fender has a tapered look towards the bottom and comes fixed with turn indicators on the upper corners. The Kawasaki Barako II also gets a utilitarian pillion grab rail, which can also be used for mounting heavy luggage at the rear.

The Kawasaki Barako II has been equipped with a functional two-pod all-analogue instrument console, with the left pod having the fuel gauge and the right one having the speedometer and odometer, with basic warning lights placed in between them. The switches too feel a bit flimsy and basic for the price, with the Kawasaki Barako II offered with an electric starter only as an option.

The Kawasaki Barako II again showcases its appeal as a simpleton with the basic level of mechanicals it has under its primitive-looking skin. Sitting on a tubular chassis, the Kawasaki Barako II has simple telescopic forks at the front and twin coil springs at the rear. The almost flat seat of the Kawasaki Barako II offers nice cushioning so that the rider and pillion feel strain-free even over long riding hours. The skinny tyres and drum brakes at both ends do their job pretty efficiently, though don’t expect much drama here.

While the Kawasaki Barako II might not be a looker by modern standards, it does its best job in assuring high levels of reliability with its four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 177cc engine, which is paired to a 4-speed transmission. With a maximum power output of 12.8 PS and a maximum torque output of 13.1 Nm, this might not be the most powerful 170-180cc engine on sale today. However, this engine impresses with its decent levels of refinement and torque delivery in the earlier RPMs.

The basic visual appeal and mechanical packaging of the Kawasaki Barako II are strong enough to let you assume that it doesn’t get any modern-day safety features. And it gets none, to keep the costs in control.

The Kawasaki Barako II is purely for those who want a basic commuting solution for short-distance runs, which it does pretty decently, courtesy of the reliable engine and suspension setup.