Jawa Motorcycles Will Get Dual-channel ABS

Jawa plans to equip its bikes with the extra safety net in the second quarter of 2019

• Dual-channel ABS will come to both existing Jawa bikes soon
• Currently, the Jawa and the Jawa Forty Two feature a single-channel ABS unit with a front disc and rear drum setup
• Expect a price increase of roughly Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for the dual-channel ABS Jawas

Dual-channel ABS will come to Jawa after all. Close to a month after being first unveiled, we’ve received confirmation that Jawa bikes will get dual-channel ABS by the second quarter of 2019. While the company’s products already comply with the upcoming safety regulations that mandate all bikes above 125cc to have ABS, they do so by using a single-channel ABS unit. Both the Jawa and the Forty Two use a 280mm disc at the front and 153mm drum at the rear, with the ABS acting on the front wheel.

The inclusion of dual-channel ABS will offer significantly better braking performance. An anti-lock braking system prevents a wheel from locking up under emergency braking. A single-channel unit does this only for one wheel while dual-channel ABS prevents both wheels from locking up.

The inclusion of dual-channel ABS will also address a major area of disappointment for many enthusiasts and potential customers with the new Jawa bikes. While both bikes offered a modern mechanical package under a retro design, the drum brakes on the rear wheels stood out like a sore thumb. The unfavourable public response to this choice might also have pushed Jawa towards this decision.

After they introduce dual-channel ABS, Jawa could provide the option of retrofitting bikes sold till then with a rear disc and full-fledged ABS. The inclusion of dual-channel ABS will push up the price of the Jawa bikes by roughly Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Currently, the Jawa is priced at Rs 1.64 lakh while the Forty Two retails at Rs 1.55 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom Delhi).

The other Jawa bike showcased alongside the Jawa and the Forty Two, the Perak, already offers dual-channel ABS as standard. The model, however, is unlikely to be launched before 2020.