Jawa: Pros, Cons, Should You Buy One?

Does the classic cruiser actually deliver, and is it worth your money?

It’s been a long time coming and we finally got our hands on a Jawa -- a test unit, mind you. Naturally, with all the hype surrounding the bike, there were a tonne of expectations. But, does the

classic cruiser actually deliver, and is it worth your money? We put the bike through a thorough road test to find out its strengths and weaknesses, and here’s how it fared.  

Also Read: Jawa Road Test Review

Spirited engine performance:

One would expect a cruiser to be more laid back and more lethargic on the throttle, but that isn’t the case with the Jawa. In fact, the Mojo-derived short-stroke engine has enough performance to keep up with, if not outrun, the current crop of 200cc bikes in India. On the downside, it needs to be ridden hard and fast to get the most out of the engine.  

Drops anchor really fast! 

The brakes on the Jawa are fantastic! It’s progressive, offers good bite and feedback. Our test bike which featured a single-channel ABS setup stopped from 80-0kmph in just 35.95m and took 20.54m to brake from 60-0kmph. In comparison, its rival, the Benelli’s Imperiale 400, took 40.58m and 23.38m to stop from the same speeds with a dual-channel ABS setup. 

Compact and agile:

The Jawa feels really small and compact compared to its rivals. A kerb weight of 170kg and a shorter wheelbase of 1369mm make it really quick on its feet. This attribute allows the bike to zip through city traffic and turn into corners with ease.

Cons: 

Build quality issues:

While the overall build quality has improved compared to when we first rode the Jawa, it still isn’t the best. Our test bike had some rust developing on the chassis. The switchgear, on the other hand, although really well-built, starting moving on the handlebar while the rear turn indicator came loose.

Ergonomics:

The compact proportions also work against it as taller riders would feel cramped in the rather small saddle. What’s also quite troubling is the positioning of the instrument console which sits almost parallel to the speedometer. Then there’s layout and the lack of colour contrast, where the needles are almost the same shade as the background, making it difficult to read. 

Lack of engine refinement at higher revs

While the engine feels peppy, it lacks refinement. Vibes can be felt through the handlebars and footpegs as you climb up the rev range. 

Should you buy one?

It really depends on what you’re looking for. Essentially, if you’re a hardcore Jawa enthusiast or someone graduating to a faster bike from a commuter, the Jawa makes sense. However, if you desire a stress-free relaxed ride that will also make you look good, you’ll be better off with say the Benelli Imperiale. It offers a relaxed riding posture, packs one heck of a motor, all while undercutting the Jawa at Rs 1.69 lakh (ex-showroom).