Jawa Motorcycles: 5 Things To Know

An indepth look at one of the most well regarded classic motorcycle brands in India

The classic motorcycle brand is back with three new offerings for the India market. While many of us are aware of the brand's and what it has to offer, there are some who are unaware. So, here’s a looks at five important facts about Jawa that should give you a clearer picture about the company

Brand Image

With all the hype around the relaunch of Jawa motorcycles, we’re sure most of you are already aware of what the bikemaker has to offer. That said, there’s a lot more to the brand than just the three bikes. Jawa Motorcycles has a rich Indian history that dates back to the 60’s. The Czech brand set up shop in Mysore in 1961 under the leadership of Rustom and Farrokh Irani. And the first bike to exit the factory floor was the Jawa 250 Type 353/04, which not only represented the brand in motorsports but also featured in a number of Bollywood movies. 

Moreover, the Jawa Type 353/04 was positioned as one of the most value-for-money 250cc performance bikes back in the day, which is why it garnered a huge cult following which even exists today. Fortunately for us, the trio (Jawa, Jawa 42 and Perak) that entered India is heavily Influenced by the vintage Jawas which touched the right chord among enthusiasts. 

Variants and Pricing

Jawa Motorcycles introduced three bikes in India called the Jawa, Jawa 42 and the Perak, priced at Rs 1.64 lakh, Rs 1.55 lakh and Rs 1.89 lakh respectively (all ex-showroom Delhi). While the ‘Jawa’ draws its inspiration from the classic Jawa, the 42 is a slightly modern version of it. As for the factory customer bobber called the Perak, it’s a reimagined Jawa 350 with 21-century design features. 

In terms of ergonomics, the Jawa seems to offer a relaxed riding posture with its easy-to-reach handlebars, while the 42 is a tad more aggressive as it features low-set handlebars. The Perak would most definitely pass as the sportiest of the lot. It gets a single tan seat which seems a be positioned a bit lower than the original seat along with lowered handlebars which translates to an aggressive rider’s triangle.

Dealer Network

The company has already managed to sign 105 dealerships across India which are expected to be operational by the first week of December 2018. While deliveries for the Jawa and Jawa 42 will commence in the first quarter of 2019, the Perak is still some time away from hitting the production floor.

Powertrain

The engine design for the new Jawas get the same retro styling and twin exhaust layout as the earlier one. And although it’s derived from the Mahindra Mojo, the bikemaker says it has been reworked to suit the classic nature of the motorcycle. The 293cc, BSVI-compliant, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor churns out 27PS of power, 28Nm of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed transmission. It’s said to offer a flat torque curve while the meat of the power lies in the midrange. 

That said, the Perak gets a 334cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC motor which is slightly bigger than its siblings. It’s good to produce 30PS and 31Nm of torque. So how’s this possible? Reportedly, the engine features a bigger bore but retains the stroke, which translates to the power bump. 

Competition

The Jawa and Jawa 42 will compete with the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and UM Renegade Classic. Royal Enfield has been dominating the retro motorcycle space for years and it'll be interesting to see how the new Jawas stack up against it.