Jawa Motorcycles: What We Like, What We Don’t

Jawa is back with a bang with three bikes. So we take a look at what's appealing and what’s not

Classic Legends, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, has re-launched the iconic motorcycle brand Jawa in India. While we still don’t have answers to how the bike rides or performs, we’ve seen the motorcycles in the flesh and here’s what we liked about them and what we think could have been better. 

Looks  

People will argue over the fact that looks are subjective. However, we feel the bike manufacturer has nailed the styling of the Jawas. The old-school design approach paired with a few modern components takes you back in time. It features the same engine design, dome-shaped headlamp, vintage mudguards, an old-school instrument console, substantial use of chrome and spoked wheels as Jawa’s bikes from the past. Even minute details like the gold pinstripes, the horn placed between the fork arms, engraving on the fuel-cap and the nostalgic maroon paint job make a presence on the modern bike. The bikes exude passion and attention to detail, something that really impressed us.

Powertrain 

Though the engine is derived from the Mahindra-Mojo, it’s been thoroughly reworded. Jawa says the motor offers a flat torque curve and a meaty mid-range. It’s a 293cc, BSVI-compliant, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder mill produces 27PS of power and 28Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox. To put things into perspective, the bike makes 7PS more than its arch-rival the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and gets an extra cog which should help it tour a lot better. 

Underpinnings 

Keeping in line with the 21st century, Jawa has also furnished its lineup with updated and modern mechanicals. It gets a front disk brake with single-channel ABS for better braking performance. It also a dual shock set up at the rear with 5-step preload adjustability, which could improve its riding dynamics.

Where things could have been better -

Feature list

While most two-wheeler manufacturers are moving towards offering more and more features like an all-digital instrument console, disc brakes with ABS at either ends, LED DRL’s, etc. the Jawa gets a very basic instrument console with a fuel gauge, speedometer and a digital odo and trip meter. The bikes even miss out on dual-channel ABS and a rear disc brake. It’s a huge let down given the bikes cost upwards of 1.5 lakhs.

Value for money 

Though the introductory prices sound quite exciting, the lack of features on the bike does make you think twice. For instance, the RE Classic 350 Redditch Edition and Gun Metal Grey, both of which cost between 1.47 lakh and 1.48 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), feature disc brakes at both ends and the safety net of dual-channel ABS. The Jawas, on the other hand, use a single disc up front with a single channel ABS unit.

Quality

Coming to the meat of the matter - the quality of the bikes. From our first impressions of the bikes at the launch event, the quality seems to be a bit iffy. We feel the build quality and fit-and-finish of various parts could have been a bit better. However, we will reserve our comments on the bike until we put it through a thorough road test.