Jawa, a prominent player in the motorcycle market, has been making waves in the classic and neo-retro segment in India. With offerings like the Perak and 42 Bobber equipped with a larger 334cc engine, and the Standard and 42 featuring a 296cc engine, Jawa has established itself within the 300cc to 500cc bike segment. Now, the company is set to take on the iconic Royal Enfield Classic 350 with its latest offering the Jawa 350.
Jawa 350 Launch – A Rival to the Classic 350?
Due to its great popularity, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 has drawn competition from a number of rivals including the Jawa Standard and the Honda CB350 Classic. In an ambitious move, Jawa introduces the Jawa 350, aiming to compete directly with the Classic 350. Priced attractively at Rs. 2.14 lakh (ex-showroom), the Jawa 350 comes with refreshed aesthetics and features.
The bike is available in Maroon and Black along with a new Mystique Orange color option adorned with polished chrome and gold pinstripes. Contrary to assumptions of being a mere rebadged Jawa Standard, the Jawa 350 surprises with a comprehensive set of changes. Notably, design alterations give it a slightly more robust and substantial appearance.
With its unique appearance and enduring Jawa silhouette the Jawa 350 honors the company's racing heritage. To accommodate the increased performance from the larger 334cc engine, Jawa introduces a new chassis. The company markets the Jawa 350 as the quickest accelerating, best handling, best braking, and safest classic motorcycle in India for the mainstream audience.
Design and Dimensions
With the new chassis, the Jawa 350 boasts different dimensions compared to the Jawa Standard. It features a longer wheelbase of 1,449 mm, as opposed to the 1,362 mm of the Standard. The ground clearance is elevated to 178 mm, and the seat height is increased to 790 mm, providing a more commanding stance compared to the 165 mm ground clearance and 765 mm seat height of the Standard.
Performance Upgrades
The significant change comes in the powertrain department. The Jawa 350 is equipped with a larger 334cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, surpassing the 294cc engine found in the Standard and 42 models. This engine produces 22 bhp of peak power and 28.2 Nm of peak torque coupled with a 6-speed gearbox and a slip-and-assist clutch. The same engine powers the Jawa Perak and 42 Bobber. The bike's dry weight is 184 kg, with a kerb weight of 194 kg.
The iconic Jawa look is retained with dual exhausts, and the engine still features fins, maintaining a sense of nostalgia despite the shift to liquid cooling and jawa's meticulous attention to detail pays homage to the brand's heritage.
Enhanced Dynamics
To complement the added performance, the Jawa 350 introduces fatter rubber in the form of Continental tyres, with sizes of 100/90-18 for the front and 130/80-17 for the rear wheels.
Positioning and Competition
The inclusion of "350" in the name strategically positions the Jawa 350 in the classic bike segment, directly competing with offerings like the RE 350s and CB350s from Honda. Whether you are in search of a tech-laden modern machine with retro aesthetics or want to experience the distinctive sound of a liquid-cooled motor from dual exhausts within the 350cc segment, the Jawa 350 emerges as a compelling option.