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Originally Posted by maverickrider00 I request all those Team Bhpians who have seen the Jawas in flesh and test rode it answer a few direct questions in this thread.
1) Does the motorcycle look well build? How would you rate the build quality? Bajaj, Hero or Honda grade? Does it seem build to last?
2) How was the seating posture, engine response, brakes,ride and handling in your test ride experience? Better then the competition?
3) What is the brand of the OEMs ( Lights, Horns, Battery, FI unit, ABS unit etc)?
4) Did the showroom also allow a peek into the workshop area? What are the service intervals? Engine oil, brake oil, coolant brand and grade?
5) Would you as motorcycle enthusiast spend 2 Lakhs( approx) for the motorcycle? Is it worth it?
The answers to these questions would be really helpful for thousands like me who are yet to see the motorcycle in flesh.Team Bhp remains the only reliable source of information about the Jawas. |
On the 1st of March 2019, Class Motors Siliguri, the lone Jawa motorcycle dealership in the Northeast was inaugurated with much fan fare. Being a working day, I missed the inaugural event but reached the showroom by 3 p.m. The showroom like the rest in India showcased a restored Jawa 250, Jawa Jawa and Jawa 42. From then till, yesterday, i.e. 16th of March, I have been there four times, almost spending about 4 hours on an average soaking in the ambiance, reading through the enlightening book on Jawa by the eminent auto journalist Adiljal Darukhanwala, talking to the sales and service associates and most importantly taking long exhaustive test rides. I have approximately clocked about 50 Kms in the Jawa 42 test bike during my numerous test rides and based on it, I have decided to answer my own queries for those sitting in the fence.
First of all, the build quality of the motorcycle is good. I did notice on the 42 that the gold stripe on the mudguard, side panel and the forty two lettering itself were STICKERS and not painted. No issues in the Jawa Jawa. Besides this, the build quality of the motorcycle seems to be better then of RE, Bajaj, KTM and the rest except of course the four Japanese motorcycle company and our own Hero. It is at par with them and TVS. My personal favourite was the chunky rear brake pedal, it adds class to the whole motorcycle. Concerns with the fuel tank rusting later on, the build quality of both the motorcycles looks solid.
Second, the riding position of the Jawa 42 is spot on, no issues whatsoever for me and those like me who are a bit vertically challenged. However, 6 feet and above may find it a bit cramped but not downright uncomfortable. Due to the high compression, the engine seems very hurried even at idle. I found it very paradoxical, a cruiser is supposed to have a relaxed engine, this is NOT it but it does have a flat torque curve. This high compression ratio also makes it evident in the heating up of the engine in traffic which is not comfortable but is worrying to some extent though heat management is better then the KTMs. Another highlight, the radiator fan has an automated function even working while the engine is shut off. I did not push the new vehicle and with the sales associate as a pillion the maximum I could go was 90km/hr. Acceleration is brisk and at times unnerving. The chassis set up is good but with no Twisties in the plains can't really vouch for its handling prowess. Best summed up as adequate but it is BETTER then it's immediate competition though not sports bike level. Brakes are good but the fact that it's a drum in the rear seems to play in your mind while riding the bike. This can easily munch miles with ease and style.
Thirdly, they did not allow me to have a closer look at the OEMs of the parts but I could figure out the rear shocks to be from Gabriel, front disc brake from Bybre, tyres from MRF and ABS by Continental.
Fourthly, the workshop is not open but is supposed to be up by 25th of March 2019. I would recommend a visit to the workshop first before buying any motorcycle or car. Buying is always the easy part, maintaining it is what actually hurts especially if the service associates are not competent. I have decided to do the same.
Fifthly, I felt that the motorcycle is a bit overpriced. Here in Siliguri, single channel ABS Jawa 42 retails for 185k on road, Jawa Jawa 195k, double channel adds another 10k to each variant. The present price for the single ABS should have been that for the double channel ABS which should have been introduced from the very beginning. Classic Legends can still add value to it by offering leg guard/ engine guard, back rest, bar end mirrors and a better seat as a part of the standard package. This because some very good motorcycles are just waiting around the corner, Suzuki 250 will be a competent package and RE Thunderbird 350X is still a compelling buy. In my opinion,the production version should be a step up in quality and should have all the stated accessories above as a standard package. I know, because, I should be the first ones to be delivered the motorcycle here.
To put it in a nutshell, one eminent auto journalist may have refrained from saying it but here goes, RE Bullet and Classic 350 is dead because the Jawas are here.
That is me on the 42..
![Mahindra is bringing Jawa back. EDIT: Launched @ Rs 1.55 lakh-img20190301wa0020.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/motorbikes/1859894d1688317246t-mahindra-bringing-jawa-back-edit-launched-rs-1-55-lakh-img20190301wa0020.jpg)