Jawa vs Royal Enfield Classic 350: Spec Comparison
Now that Jawa’s new range of motorcycles are here, there’s only one obvious thing to do: stack the modern classic up against the most popular retro motorcycle in the segment. Let the fight begin!
Ever since Royal Enfield launched its Classic range in 2009, retro motorcycles have been all the rage in the country. The Classic has consistently been Royal Enfield’s best-selling motorcycle for a long period of time.
Another retro motorcycle brand that’s popular with enthusiasts is Jawa. Though it was popular in the 1980’s, it eventually faded in time with the advent of more modern, four-stroke motorcycles. However, Jawa has now made a huge comeback in the country with three brand-new motorcycles. Of the three, the most retro-looking one is the standard variant, which is simply called the 'Jawa'. Let’s see how this new bike performs against the Classic 350 on paper:
Design:
The new Jawa motorcycle has a very simplistic yet elegant looking design language that’s true to its heritage. You get circular headlamps with neatly integrated fork covers that run along the upper arm of the forks, a la Royal Enfield Bullet. The full sized front and rear fenders not only enhance the retro feel of the motorcycle but are quite practical as well. The teardrop tank flows into the nicely sculpted dual-tone premium seat which is flanked by rather simple-looking grab rails at the rear. In line with the old-school theme, the instrument console houses a retro-looking analogue speedo and fuel gauge.There’s even a small digital inset for the odometer. You don't get trip meter or any other fancy features with this one.
The Royal Enfield Classic 350’s design has remained more or less unchanged since 2009. That’s because Royal Enfield’s customers love the vintage look. The only bits that have been updated in the last nine years include the colours and the recent addition of ABS along with a rear disc brake. You also get the famous tiger lamp, which is essentially a pair of pilot lamps, and an ammeter in the instrument console apart from the speedometer, odometer and trip meter. The Gunmetal Grey variant and the Signals Edition feature dual-channel ABS as standard.
Powertrain:
|
Specifications |
Upcoming Jawa motorcycle |
Royal Enfield Classic 350 |
|
Engine |
293cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, DOHC liquid-cooled engine |
346cc single-cylinder air-cooled, carburetted engine |
|
Peak power |
27.2PS |
20PS at 5250rpm |
|
Maximum torque |
28Nm |
28Nm at 4000rpm |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
5-speed |
While the difference in power and torque figures don’t seem like much, the Jawa is expected to be a lot more friendly on the highway thanks to the DOHC liquid-cooled engine. Moreover, the 6-speed transmission can extract more speed than the Classic’s 5-speed unit. Expect the Jawa to be powerful enough to comfortably cruise at triple-digit speeds, whereas the Classic behaves best when the speed is limited to 80kmph. Post that the vibrations are a bit too much to comfortably sustain higher speeds. While a sophisticated engine technically requires more attention than an air-cooled one, it remains to be seen how affordable the Jawa is to maintain in the long run.
Underpinnings:
|
Specifications |
Upcoming Jawa motorcycle |
Royal Enfield Classic 350 |
|
Front suspension |
Telescopic forks |
35mm telescopic forks |
|
Rear suspension |
Twin gas-charged shock absorbers |
Twin gas-charged shock absorbers |
|
Front brake |
280mm disc with single-channel ABS |
280mm disc |
|
Rear brake |
153mm drum |
153mm drum / 240mm disc with optional ABS |
While the Jawa makes do with a rear drum, select variants of the Classic 350 come with a 240mm disc with dual-channel ABS as an option. The standard Classic gets a 153mm drum sans ABS. The Jawa, on the other hand, gets single-channel ABS as standard. The Czech bike is built on a double cradle frame whereas the Classic uses a single downtube frame with the engine as a stressed member.
Dimensions:
|
Specifications |
Jawa |
Royal Enfield Classic 350 |
|
Kerb weight |
170kg |
192kg |
|
Wheelbase |
1369mm |
1370mm |
|
Fuel tank capacity |
14-litre |
13.5-litre |
The wheelbase of the two motorcycles are almost identical. The Jawa has a very accessible seat, sitting just 765mm above ground. Despite having a slightly larger fuel tank, the Jawa is lighter. In fact, it is a whole 22kg lighter than the Classic! This should make the motorcycle relatively more agile than the Classic, in theory at least.
Verdict:
The Jawa seems to be reasonably superior to the Classic 350 when it comes to outright performance numbers. But it remains to be seen how the bike handles on our roads when compared to the Classic. The brand also announced that it will be setting up 105 dealerships across the country in the first phase. Online bookings are currently open for a token amount of Rs 5,000. Deliveries are set to commence by early next year. Royal Enfield, on the other hand, has a much stronger dealer footprint in India, not to mention roadside assistance and the prospect of joining company-organised rides, events and the likes. These things make buying a Classic 350 a lot more wholesome experience than simply buying a motorcycle.
Since the Royal Enfield Classic 350 features a relatively less sophisticated powertrain, its price starts from Rs 1.39 lakh. The Jawa, on the other hand, costs Rs 1.64 lakh (both, ex-showroom Delhi). At a premium of around Rs 25,000, you get a much more sophisticated liquid-cooled engine. You also get a product with a good brand history that strikes a chord with many enthusiasts in the country. All in all, the Jawa looks extremely promising in the lower strata of the mid-capacity retro-modern motorcycle segment.
Praveen M.
- 51009 Views